Dr. Pietzak specializes in the surgical treatment of bladder cancer, prostate cancer, upper urothelial cancer, and other cancers of the genitourinary system. Learn how he individualizes each patient’s treatment approach based on their unique circumstance.
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DR. EUGENE PIETZAK
Looks like you’re doing very well after the surgery.
At Memorial Sloan Kettering we don't find the status quo acceptable. We're always trying to do better.
My name is Eugene Pietzak. I am a urologic surgeon at Memorial Sloan Kettering. I specialize in bladder cancer and upper tract urothelial carcinoma.
Treatments that I have expertise in are the surgical removal of the bladder through both the traditional open incision as well as a minimally invasive robotic-assisted approach.
Your scan results, they look great.
I typically will meet with my patients multiple times over several weeks to help them process things, give them resources available. Ultimately what we want to do is help them feel empowered to make the choice that's right for them.
Regardless of the option that they choose, we expect that they will live very healthy and fulfilling lives.
Starting to get all my energy back.
Certainly there is an adjustment that they will have to undergo and part of our job is to help them get through that.
One of the great things about being able to work at a place like Memorial Sloan Kettering is not just high-quality surgery, but also having excellent colleagues. We will often come together and formulate a plan for the patient as to what some of the best approaches may be.
What I always try to do with my patients is present various different options. And I think we're able to do that through a lot of the clinical trials that we have available here that aren't necessarily available in the community. Oftentimes patients will decide that yes, the surgery is appropriate for them. But sometimes, there'll be a trial option or an alternative treatment like chemo, radiation, that’s maybe more appealing to them. Being able to provide that, sort of, diversity in different options really makes a big difference for a lot of patients.
Thank you for everything that you’ve done.
Oh, no. You did all the hard work.
(Laughs)
We try to make sure we're providing the highest level of quality care that's available, but also what will become standard of care five, ten years from now.