Bernard H. Bochner, MD

I am a urologic surgeon who specializes in surgery for men and women with cancers of the genitourinary system. Examples of the specific tumors that I treat include cancers of the bladder, prostate, kidney, and testis. My main areas of expertise include radical surgical procedures for invasive bladder cancer and reconstructive surgery of the urinary system following radical cystectomy or pelvic exenteration. Removal of the bladder, also called radical cystectomy, serves as the standard for definitive treatment of high-risk bladder tumors and can provide a cure in the majority of patients with early, invasive lesions. Function-sparing procedures (including preservation of the nerves responsible for erectile function and advanced reconstructive techniques that re-create the natural urination pathway after bladder removal) can also be performed to provide an excellent postoperative quality of life.

I am actively involved in clinical and translational research to determine which treatments are most likely to maximize a patient's chances of a cure. I am involved in ongoing studies to determine which features of a tumor predict for more or less aggressive behavior. This will help us individualize treatment for each patient based on his or her tumor's characteristics. I am very interested in and actively study ways to improve patients' quality of life after surgery.