Pearls & Perspectives: Leadership and Prostate Cancer, with Mark L. Gonzalgo, MD, PhD, MBA

In this special Urology on the Beach edition of Pearls and Perspectives, host Amy Pearlman, MD, sits down with Mark L. Gonzalgo, MD, PhD, MBA, to discuss his recent appointment as chair of the Department of Urology at the University of Miami and his vision for leading a large academic urology department. Gonzalgo shares how the role has shifted his daily focus toward supporting faculty, trainees, and patients, emphasizing that advocacy is one of the most important responsibilities of a department chair.

The conversation then turns to prostate cancer screening and second opinions, particularly in men with rising prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels who may be considering testosterone therapy. Gonzalgo highlights the importance of baseline PSA testing, individualized risk assessment, and thoughtful, evidence-based evaluation before initiating testosterone, underscoring the value of informed patient counseling and comprehensive workup.

Gonzalgo also explores how prostate cancer diagnosis and management continue to evolve, including the growing role of molecular testing, advanced imaging, and emerging blood-based biomarkers. He stresses that new technologies should be adopted only when supported by high-quality clinical trial data, ensuring safety, accuracy, and real-world benefit for patients.

The episode concludes with a discussion of the collaborative energy and educational value of Urology on the Beach, and why meetings like this remain critical for staying current in a rapidly changing field.