16th Annual Meeting of the World Chinese Urological Society: Reunion and sharing of global Chinese urological advances

After few years without in-person meeting during the American Urological Association (AUA) due to COVID-19 pandemic, the world's brightest Chinese urologists and urological researchers gathered again. On May 3, 2024, the 16th Annual Meeting of the World Chinese Urological Society (WCUS) was successfully held in San Antonio, USA. This conference attracted Chinese experts and scholars from the field of urology around the world to discuss and share the latest academic achievements and research advancements. This significant event provided an important academic exchange platform for Chinese urology experts globally. The WCUS was founded in 2005 when the AUA President Joseph N. Corriere Jr. and Secretary Carl A. Olsson approved establishing a Chinese urology program at the AUA annual meeting1. This idea was enthusiastically supported by Chinese urologists and urological researchers worldwide, leading to the first WCUS meeting held on May 20, 2006, in Atlanta, USA. During this pioneering meeting, academicians Yinglu Guo, Luke S. Chang, and Tung-Tien Sun led unprecedented collaboration and exchange in the field of urology. The 16th Annual Meeting of the WCUS was co-chaired by Tom F. Lue, Professor of Urology at the University of California, San Francisco and Run Wang, Professor of Urology at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center and McGovern Medical School, Houston. The scientific program committee was led by Guiting Lin, Professor of Urology at the University of California, San Francisco. The event covered multiple important topics in urology. The first session focused on the latest research and treatment advancements in prostate cancer, co-chaired by Prof. Hui Jiang from Peking University First Hospital, China and Prof. Tung Shun from the University of Texas McGovern Medical School, USA. Discussions included new consensus on targeted prostate biopsies, strategies for prostate cancer screening in Asia, and the application of cryotherapy in managing intermediate-risk prostate cancer. Experts such as Dr. Peter Ka-Fung Chiu from Hong Kong, China, Dr. Wei Phin Tan from the United States, Dr. Feng Hu from Macao, China, and Dr. Yung Na from Hong Kong, China delivered compelling presentations on various aspects of prostate cancer screening, diagnosis, and treatment. Dr. Peter Ka-Fung Chiu from Hong Kong, China presented "Prostate Cancer Screening in Asia: Why, Who, When, and How?" Dr. Wei Phin Tan from the United States discussed "Cryotherapy for the Management of Intermediate Risk Prostate Cancer." Dr. Feng Hu from Macao, China shared insights on the "Prostate Health Index for the Diagnosis of Prostate Cancer in Asians in Macao." Dr. Yung Na from Hong Kong, China reported on "Translational Studies of Germline Genetic Variants in Prostate Cancer." Dr. See-Tong Pang from Taiwan, China discussed "Prostate Cancer in Taiwan, China: Public Health Challenge of an Ageing Society." The second session explored new diagnostic and treatment technologies for kidney and bladder cancer. Topics included "En bloc resection of bladder tumors" and the application of three-dimensional (3D) printing in robot-assisted partial nephrectomy. This session was chaired by Prof. Xuesong Li from China, Prof. Joe Lee from Singapore, and Prof. Qiang Li from the United States. Experts such as Dr. Jeremy Teoh from Hong Kong (China), Dr. See-Tong Pang from Taiwan (China), and Dr. Yu Xie from China shared their latest research findings. Dr. Jeremy Teoh from Hong Kong, China presented "En Bloc Resection of Bladder Tumor: Where Are We Now?" Dr. Wei Shen Tan from the United States reported on "Optimizing Perioperative Outcomes Following Radical Cystectomy by Enhanced Recovery and Robotic Cystectomy." Dr. Yu Xie from China shared insights on the "Application of 3D Printing Technology in the Treatment of Complex Renal Tumors by Robotic-Assisted Partial Nephrectomy." The third session focused on new strategies for managing urinary dysfunction, chaired by Prof. Xiansheng Zhang from China, Prof. Yuhui Wang from Sweden, and Dr. Huan Xu from China. Notably, Dr. Huan Xu from Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, representing young urologists, showcased the talent of young Chinese urologists at the AUA. Discussions included the management of overactive bladder in elderly patients and potential biomarkers for overactive bladder. Dr. Kin Li from Macao, China presented "OAB Management in Geriatric Patients: Macao Experience." Dr. Wai-Kit Ma from Hong Kong, China discussed "Water Vapour Thermal Ablation of the Prostate: Challenges and Insights." The final session concentrated on innovations in andrology and urological reconstruction, discussing new developments in sexual medicine, novel perspectives on primary aldosteronism diagnosis and treatment, and experiences in treating complex anterior urethral strictures. This session was co-chaired by Prof. Philips Li from the United States and Prof. Kai Zhang from Peking University First Hospital, China. Experts such as Dr. Tao Jiang and Dr. Long Tian from China shared their latest research in these fields. Dr. Tao Jiang from China presented "Our Innovations and Exploration in Andrology and Sexual Medicine." Dr. Bing Li from China discussed "Lingual Mucosal Graft Ureteroplasty for Long Proximal Ureteral Stricture: 8 Years of Experience with 129 Cases." Dr. Long Tian from China reported on "Penile Reconstruction." The 16th WCUS not only provided a platform for academic exchange among Chinese urology experts globally but also showcased the latest research and technological advancements in the field. During the conference, the prestigious WCUS Achievement Award and WCUS Rising Star Award were presented to honor distinguished professionals and promising young scholars in urology. These awards aim to inspire and reward individuals for their outstanding contributions, promoting continuous development and innovation in urology. This year's conference highlighted the high importance of academic exchange in-person and collaboration within the global Chinese urology community. Through this significant gathering, participants shared groundbreaking medical insights, deepened international collaboration networks, and advanced the development of global urology. Because it was the first in-person meeting in the United States after the COVID-19 pandemic, the meeting was extended to more than 1 hour than initially scheduled due to warm discussions. All participants expressed strong desires to have a longer WCUS meeting next year in Las Vegas in April 2025 during the AUA. We firmly believe that the WCUS conference will inject new vitality and momentum into the field of Chinese urology, fostering continuous progress and innovation in this discipline. We look forward to seeing you all, our friends, colleagues, and collaborators next year in the beautiful desert city of Las Vegas, USA. Tom F. Lue is the Honorary Editor-in-Chief of UroPrecision, Run Wang is the Editor-in-Chief of UroPrecision, and Guiting Lin is the Deputy Editor-in-Chief of UroPrecision. They were excluded from the peer-review process and all editorial decisions related to the acceptance and publication of this article. Peer review was handled independently by the other editors to minimize bias. The authors declare no conflict of interest. Not applicable.