Clinical trials are being established as a part of a multidisciplinary team in collaboration with NCI's Medicine and Radiation Oncology Branches. During their fellowship, these urologic surgeons rotate between patient-care duties and laboratory research. They employ new strategies in molecular genetics and therapy that are currently under study in the branch. In addition, these researchers will be working in collaboration with other branches and laboratories at the National Cancer Institute, studying the molecular genetic basis of urologic malignancies and working on the development of new forms of diagnosis and therapy for patients with these cancers. Fellows selected for the Urologic Oncology Branch rotate on the branch's service at the Warren Grant Magnuson Clinical Center on the grounds of the National Institutes of Health.
All fellows participate in weekly pathology seminars, X-ray conferences and clinical reviews.
Fellows are trained in the conduct of clinical protocols and are encouraged to become co-investigators on new studies. From 18 to 30 months are devoted to basic science research in one of the laboratories of the NCI Intramural Program. Clinical training during the first year of the fellowship in urologic oncology lasts for 6 months. Fellows rotate on the urological surgery service and provide consult service to all patients at the NIH Clinical Center. Fellows care for inpatients and outpatients being treated on clinical protocols and administer therapy as well as performing needed surgery .