Presented by
Sanoj Punnen, MD, MAS
Co-Chair of Genitourinary Site Disease Group,
Pap Corps Champions for Cancer Research Endowed Chair in Solid Tumor Research,
Associate Professor, Department of Urology,
University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine
Dr. Punnen is affiliated with multiple hospitals in the Miami, Florida area, including University of Miami Hospital and Clinics–UHealth Tower and Miami Veterans Affairs Healthcare System. He received his medical degree from Queen's University at Kingston and has been in practice between 11-20 years.
Dr. Punnen’s primary research interest is in localized prostate cancer. Specifically, he is involved in research on imaging, molecular, and genomic markers that play a role in prostate cancer diagnosis and prognosis. He also does outcomes and health service research on trends in the incidence and management of prostate cancer.
Preston C. Sprenkle, MD
Associate Professor of Urology
Yale School of Medicine
Dr. Preston C. Sprenkle specializes in the treatment of urologic cancers, including prostate cancer, kidney cancer, bladder cancer, testicular cancer, and sarcoma – a rare kind of cancer that grows in cells that connect or support other parts of the body, like bone or muscle.
Dr. Sprenkle has dedicated his career to using the latest imaging technologies to improve diagnosis. He was one of the first physicians nationwide to implement the use of the Artemis Device. This machine, introduced in 2009, allows a surgeon to use 3D ultrasound technology and merge it with even more precise magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to accurately identify cancerous tumors.
Dr. Sprenkle is also a pioneer in “focal therapy,” which allows a surgeon to treat tiny prostate lesions, rather than the whole organ. This avoids many of the side effects—such as erectile dysfunction and incontinence—that may follow the removal of the whole prostate.
“Exciting technological advances are revolutionizing urology. Prostate cancer is very common and current treatments can majorly impact a man's sexual and urinary function,” Dr. Sprenkle says. “Developing ways to minimize the impact of prostate cancer diagnosis and treatment on a man's health and quality of life is tremendously rewarding.”
Dr. Sprenkle believes in working with patients to come up with individualized treatment plans.
Scott T. Tagawa, MD, MS, FACP
Professor of Medicine and Urology,
Director of the Genitourinary Oncology Research Program,
Weill Cornell Medicine
After earning his BS from Georgetown University, Dr. Tagawa received his MD at the University of Southern California School of Medicine. After completing his Internship and Residency training there, he became Chief Resident and subsequently underwent fellowship training in Hematology and Medical Oncology, being appointed Chief Fellow for his final two years. He had the opportunity to train with international leaders in Genitourinary (GU) Oncology. In August 2005, he was appointed Assistant Professor of Medicine at Mount Sinai School of Medicine, serving as Associate Program Director for the Fellowship Training Program. As Director of Genitourinary Oncology for the Division of Hematology and Oncology and Director of Medical Oncology for the Deane Prostate Health and Research Center, Dr. Tagawa took the lead in developing genitourinary clinical trials. He was recruited to Weill Cornell Medical College in 2007. His research covers clinical and translational investigations in genitourinary tumors and thrombosis in malignancy. As the Medical Director of the Genitourinary Oncology Research Program, Dr. Tagawa leads clinical trials in the areas of prostate, kidney, and bladder cancer as well as the prevention and treatment of thrombosis with cancer. He specializes in drug development and theranostics in prostate cancer. Dr. Tagawa also serves as Associate Director of Clinical Research for the Division of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Medical Director of the Cancer Clinical Trials Office of the Meyer Cancer Center, and Chair of the Feasibility Committee for cancer clinical research. Dr. Tagawa is the WCMC principal investigator for the Alliance for Clinical Trials in Oncology (formerly CALGB), serving on the Board of Directors and as a funded member of the Genitourinary Committee. He is a member of the Clinical Practice Guidelines Committee of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO). Additionally, he serves on the editorial boards of many journals, is a member of numerous national and international medical and scientific societies, and has been named on multiple “top doctor” award lists.
Clint D. Bahler, MD, MS
Assistant Professor of Urology,
Indiana University School of Medicine
Dr. Clint Bahler completed medical school at Indiana University School of Medicine after finishing a degree in biomedical engineering at Purdue University with highest distinction. He completed his urologic surgery residency at Indiana University School of Medicine and chose to undergo additional specialty fellowship training in laparoscopic and robotic surgery with Dr. Chandru Sundaram at IU School of Medicine. His areas of clinical interest are prostate cancer and kidney cancer.
Dr. Bahler enjoys bringing medical advances to patients and is currently a principle investigator for a clinical trial using advanced PSMA-based imaging in prostate cancer and using novel surgical techniques in kidney cancer