From 'Symptomatic Treatment' to 'Precision Treatment of the Person': Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center Proposes Precision System for Urological Tumors

Background

Urological tumors, particularly urothelial carcinoma, present significant clinical challenges due to limitations in early detection and risk assessment. Traditional diagnostic methods such as white-light cystoscopy and imaging have shortcomings, including lower detection rates for flat lesions like carcinoma in situ, leading to potential missed diagnoses. Early-stage detection is critical, as outcomes differ markedly between early and late presentations.

What was achieved

At the 2026 Pujiang Urological Tumor Academic Conference, Professor Ye Dingwei's team from Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center proposed a full-cycle precision diagnosis and treatment system for urological tumors. This framework aims to shift from symptomatic treatment to precision management tailored to the individual patient, integrating precise diagnosis, surgical treatment, comprehensive intervention, and clinical research throughout the disease course.

The team pioneered a urine RNA+AI non-invasive auxiliary diagnosis system for urothelial carcinoma screening. It achieves an overall diagnostic sensitivity of 91.37% and specificity of 95.09%, with performance at international leading levels across different stages of urothelial carcinoma. The system has completed medical device registration and entered clinical application. The hospital also reported advances in organ-preserving techniques and domestic innovations. In 2025, the center's prostate cancer surgeries totaled 3,746 cases and bladder cancer surgeries 4,047 cases, both ranking first in Shanghai. Five-year survival rates for its patients were reported as 82.6% for prostate cancer, 77.1% for kidney cancer, and 74% for bladder/urothelial carcinoma, exceeding national averages and comparable to top international cancer centers.

How it works

The urine RNA+AI system begins with a non-invasive urine sample collection. Cancer cells from urothelial tumors shed specific RNA molecules into the urine. Molecular testing detects these RNA targets, and an artificial intelligence algorithm, trained on clinical data, analyzes the molecular profile to determine the likelihood of urothelial carcinoma. This approach supplements or reduces reliance on invasive procedures like cystoscopy, particularly for screening, hematuria evaluation, recurrence monitoring, and early-stage detection including carcinoma in situ and upper tract disease.

For therapy selection, multidisciplinary teams developed a Nectin-4 targeted peptide probe used in nuclear medicine imaging. This allows non-invasive assessment of target expression and heterogeneity on tumors. It helps identify patients likely to benefit from antibody-drug conjugate therapies, supporting individualized treatment decisions and moving precise intervention earlier in the care pathway. The broader system emphasizes full-cycle management, function preservation where possible during surgery, and integration of diagnostic, surgical, and systemic therapies.

What it means for international patients

International patients seeking care for urological tumors may find specialized expertise in precision diagnostics and high-volume urological oncology surgery at centers like Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center. The hospital maintains VIP and international outpatient services that accommodate foreign patients using passport registration and provides interpreter support, including for English.

Availability and eligibility for specific innovations such as the urine RNA+AI system or targeted probes depend on individual case assessment, regulatory status at the time of inquiry, and clinical suitability. Patients should contact the hospital directly to confirm current offerings, required documentation including pathology materials for review, appointment processes, and any language or support arrangements. Multidisciplinary team consultations are a feature of care at the center.

About the hospital

Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, also known as Fudan University Affiliated Tumor Hospital, is located in Shanghai with Xuhui and Pudong campuses. Founded in 1931, it is one of China's earliest Grade A tertiary specialized cancer hospitals, affiliated with Fudan University and integrating medical services, education, research, and prevention. It has been rated Grade A in national performance evaluations for tertiary public hospitals.

The center is recognized as a leading oncology institution in China, consistently ranked highly in Fudan University hospital specialty rankings for oncology. It features strong programs in urological oncology, with Professor Ye Dingwei serving as vice president, director of the urological oncology center, and chief expert for the urogenital tumor multidisciplinary team. The hospital conducts high volumes of cancer care, supports multidisciplinary team approaches, precision therapies, minimally invasive surgery, and participates in numerous clinical trials. It has reported an overall five-year survival rate of 71.8% for malignant tumors, among the highest in China.