Dr. Aaron Berger Discusses The Expanding Options For Treating Bladder Cancer
In a recent roundtable discussion, Dr. Aaron Berger, CMO from Associated Urological Specialists, lends his knowledge and perspectives for the ever expanding options in the BCG-Unresponsive Landscape. He states from the start, “It almost feels like we have more options than patients in this space right now,” lending an optimism for better outcomes in treating bladder cancer. However, as he points out, “That’s a great problem to have, but it does make decision-making more complex as we tailor discussions to each individual patient.”
In this six-part roundtable, moderator Mark D. Tyson, MD, of Mayo Clinic, leads a discussion with Anne K. Schuckman, MD, of University of Southern California; Matthew Mossanen, MD, MPH, of Brigham and Women’s Hospital; Fed Ghali, MD, of Yale School of Medicine; and Katie S. Murray, DO, MS, of NYU Langone Urology, on the rapidly evolving BCG-unresponsive NMIBC landscape, highlighting the expansion of treatment options, challenges in defining and sequencing therapies, and the growing role of shared decision-making amid real-world constraints.
When some of the hurdles with the broadening of options were brought up, such as BCG availability, the panel was united on the new hurdles they must look at closely. Dr. Berger addressed one in particular. “If a patient has nearly met the five-plus-two definition but just misses the timeframe,” he said, “are you going to repeat the entire process before offering a new therapy? Most clinicians aren’t doing that. Instead, we’re having pragmatic discussions about moving forward with newer treatments, especially given BCG limitations.” This point in particular was agreed on by most. Dr. Berger noted another strong benefit looking forward,”Updated definitions like BCG-exposed may help broaden access.”
The roundtable discussion took place in Washington, DC, at AUA 2026, for the GU Oncology Now program. Mark Tyson, a urologist at Mayo Clinic in Arizona, lead the discussion.
Dr. Aaron Berger was recently named the Chief Medical Officer for Urology Alliance for all their affiliates in Chicagoland, including Advanced Urology Associates, Associated Urological Specialists, Urologic Specialists of Northwest Indiana and Uropartners.
All of the treatment options discussed on this panel are available at Associated Urological Specialists. Schedule an appointment or consultation with them today at (708) 888-8287.
Watch the entire discussion here: A New Era in NMIBC: Expanding Options in the BCG-Unresponsive Landscape
View the next segment on Rethinking First-Line Therapy: BCG, Gem/Doce, and the Impact of Shortage and Sequencing.
Associated Urological Specialists (AUS) is a unified group of Urologists and related specialists committed to providing comprehensive urological care to patients and their families around southwest Chicago and northwest Indiana. AUS has placed a tremendous emphasis on bringing together a highly dedicated and skilled set of Board-Certified professionals, equipped with the latest state of the art tools and techniques, to deliver a full range of urological care.