BMC Cancer is calling for submissions to our Collection on Genitourinary cancers: Advances in research, diagnosis, and treatment.

Genitourinary cancers, spanning a wide range of malignancies affecting both the urinary and reproductive systems, represent a significant global health challenge. These malignancies affect millions of individuals worldwide and are associated with substantial morbidity and mortality. Recent advancements in understanding the molecular and genetic underpinnings of these cancers have paved the way for innovative diagnostic and therapeutic approaches. As researchers continue to explore the complexities of genitourinary tumors, a clearer picture of their pathophysiology is emerging, which is crucial for developing targeted treatment strategies.

The ongoing research in genitourinary cancers is pivotal for improving patient outcomes. With the advent of precision medicine, immunotherapy, and novel biomarker identification, there have been significant strides in tailoring treatments to individual patients. For instance, the incorporation of genomic profiling in clinical practice has revolutionized our approach to managing prostate cancer, enabling more effective and personalized therapies. Furthermore, ongoing clinical trials are continually expanding our knowledge base, ultimately aiming to enhance survival rates and quality of life for patients diagnosed with these cancers.

Continued research in this field holds the promise of further breakthroughs in diagnostics and treatment modalities. As our understanding of the molecular drivers of genitourinary cancers deepens, we may witness the development of innovative therapeutic agents, enhanced screening methods, and more effective strategies for early detection. Future research could also lead to better integration of multidisciplinary approaches, offering hope for improved management and outcomes for patients facing these challenging diseases.

This Collection welcomes research articles on topics including, but not limited to:

- Genetic mutations and molecular pathways in genitourinary cancers

- Advances in biomarker discovery for early detection

- Imaging technology for early detection

- Liquid biopsy

-Genomic testing for personalized treatment plans

- Immuno-oncology combinations and novel drug classes

- Role of surgery and minimally invasive procedures

- Targeted therapies for specific genitourinary malignancies

- Overcoming resistance to chemotherapy and targeted therapies

- New clinical trials and cutting-edge research

- Translational research bridging laboratory findings to clinical applications

All manuscripts submitted to this journal, including those submitted to collections and special issues, are assessed in line with our editorial policies and the journal’s peer-review process. Reviewers and editors are required to declare competing interests and can be excluded from the peer review process if a competing interest exists.

In recent years, non-communicable diseases, including cancer, have shown a disproportionate increase in incidence and related mortality in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). By 2030, approximately three-quarters of all cancer deaths will occur in LMICs, with one in eight people experiencing a cancer diagnosis in their lifetime. Reasons for disparate trends include better risk factor control in high-income countries (lower infection-associated cancers, anti-smoking campaigns, and other preventive measures), educational resources, increased number of screening and surveillance programs with earlier detection of disease, and access to more effective cancer therapies. In contrast, many LMICs experience rising cancer incidence rates due to demographic transitions marked by aging population structures and a shift in prevalent risk factors (e.g., increasing tobacco use, alcohol consumption, unhealthy diets, physical inactivity). The underlying factors are complex and interrelated, contextualized to each country's setting, and merit further study.

In 2015, the United National General Assembly adopted the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), built on the principle of “leaving no one behind.” The goals highlighted the importance of fighting inequalities across the world, and specifically, two goals, SDG 3: Good Health and Well-Being and SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities, have the ambitious aim of reducing disparities within and among countries and ensuring healthy lives for all at all ages. In addition, the 2020 WHO report on cancer clearly states that cancer control is an integral component of the path toward universal health coverage and achieving SDGs. By investing wisely and equitably, cancer cases and deaths can be avoided, and premature mortality can be reduced by 2030.

Hence, to combat the high mortality of preventable and treatable cancer in LMICs, urgent efforts are needed to improve cancer control programs and educate the public to bridge knowledge gaps, address misconceptions, and debunk myths. In addition, several gaps in the research enterprise of LMICs, such as the scarcity of reliable data, a lack of clinical trials, as well as the lack of infrastructure and trained human resources, must be addressed to solve local and regional problems with acceptable, feasible, effective, and implementable solutions.

In recognition of this relevant field, we encourage submissions including but not limited to those addressing:

• Patient navigation in cancer care and its role in cancer control in LMICs

• Training of the workforce caring for patients with cancer in LMICs

• Decentralization of cancer care in LMICs

• Technology, infrastructures, and the need for implementation in cancer care in LMICs

• The role of AI and digital health in cancer care in LMICs

• Financial burden of cancer care on patients and their families

• The role of cancer registries in strengthening cancer control in LMICs

• Defining optimal cancer treatment approaches in LMICs using local evidence

• Clinical trials and cancer in LMICs

• Anticipation medicine and cancer in LMICs

• Trends in cancer research in LMICs

• National cancer control plans and their utility in LMICs and barriers to implementation

• Twinning and partnership in cancer care in LMICs

All manuscripts submitted to this journal, including those submitted to collections and special issues, are assessed in line with our editorial policies and the journal’s peer-review process. Reviewers and editors are required to declare competing interests and can be excluded from the peer review process if a competing interest exists.

This Collection supports and amplifies research related to SDG 3: Good Health and Well-Being and SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities.