James Headshot.jpg

Biography

Associate Professor James Thompson is an experienced robotic and minimally-invasive urological surgeon. He graduated from a triple degree in Medicine (Bachelor of Science (Med), Bachelor of Medicine & Bachelor of Surgery) at University of NSW with 1st class honours in 2007. Following 2 years of internship & residency, he completed 6-years of advanced surgical training in urologic surgery via the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (RACS) and Urologic Surgeons Association of Australia & New Zealand (USANZ). He also undertook a parallel PhD in prostate cancer research between 2012- 2016.

He then travelled to London for a Royal College of Surgeons UK accredited IMGSS fellowship in robotic prostate and bladder cancer surgery at University College London Hospital (UCLH), the largest pelvic cancer centre in the UK. Upon completing his fellowship, he received the honour of being the first Australian appointed as a consultant surgeon in robotic uro-oncology at UCLH where he continued to perform a high volume of robotic prostate and bladder cancer surgeries.

In 2018, he returned to Sydney to bring home sub-specialised robotic cancer surgery to the Australian community. In addition to general urology, he receives cross referrals from other specialist urologists around NSW to perform complex robotic procedures for prostate, bladder and ureteric conditions, including salvage surgery for recurrence after radiotherapy/ brachytherapy and formation of neobladders after cystectomy. Very few urologists in NSW are trained to perform these rare and complex procedures, hence they are often cross-referred to A/Prof Thompson. For example, A/Prof Thompson performs an average of 15 cystectomies per year for bladder cancer, compared to 0-2 on average for urologists in NSW.

A/Prof Thompson is a Conjoint Associate Professor in the Faculty of Medicine at UNSW and a senior research fellow at the Kinghorn Cancer Centre/ Garvan Institute of Medical Research. He currently supervises 7 research fellows and students who are undertaking either a PhD, Masters, Honours or clinical research fellowship. He chairs the St George Uro-Oncology Research Group, vice-chairs the Sr Vincent’s Uro-Oncology research group and sits on the executive committees of the APCRC-NSW, NSW PCa Registry, ANZUP Prostate and Bladder Cancer Research Groups, etc.

He is currently undertaking more than 20 research studies across prostate and bladder cancer focussing on novel imaging technologies, risk prediction tools, targeted biopsy techniques, innovative surgical techniques to improve functional and cancer outcomes, genomics, exosomes, pathologic predictors of recurrence, brachytherapy, focal therapy, drug trials, etc. He has published over 80 peer-reviewed publications and textbook chapters, is a reviewer/ editor for the leading international urology journals (BJUI, Eur Urol, J Urol) and is an investigator on several large multicentre clinical trials and academic research grants.


Curriculum Vitae

BSc (Med) MBBS (Hons 1) FRACS (Urology) PhD IMGSS


Qualifications

IMGSS Fellowship in Robotic Oncology University College London 2017 

PhD in prostate cancer research (imaging, robotics & biomarkers), UNSW, 2016

FRACS (Urology) RACS/ USANZ Board Certification 2016

FRACS (Urol) Board of Urology Fellowship Exam Urology 2015

FRACS Board of Urology Basic Sciences Exam Urology 2010

BSc (Med) MBBS (Hons 1st Class) UNSW 2001-2007

 

Clinical Appointments & surgical training

Current Clinical Appointments

2018 – present: Consultant urologist, St Vincents Clinic and Private Hospital

2018 – present: Honorary Consultant Urologist, St Vincents Hospital 

2018 – present: Consultant urologist, St George Hospital

2018 – present: Consultant urologist, Hurstville Private Hospital

2018 – present: Consultant urologist, St George Private Hospital

2018 – present: Visiting Urologist, St Luke’s Hospital and Kareena Private Hospital

2018 - present: Consultant Urologist at The Urology Practice (Hurstville and Miranda) and College Street Specialists (Sydney CBD)

Prior Experience and Surgical Training 

2017 - 2018 – Consultant Robotic Prostate and Bladder Cancer Surgery, University College London Hospital, London, UK

2017 – IMGSS RCS (Ed) Post-CCT (Certificate of Completion of Training) Senior Clinical Fellow in Robotic Pelvic Oncology (Prostate and Bladder Cancer), University College London Hospital, UK

2016 - Urology Accredited Senior Fellow, St Vincents Hospital (Robotic uro-oncology, general urology, prostate cancer research)

2015 - Urology Accredited Registrar, St George Hospital (Uro-oncology, stones, female urology, voiding dysfunction)

2014 - Senior Accredited Registrar, Liverpoool Hospital (Uro-oncology/ Urology)

2013 - Urology Advanced Trainee, Orange Hospital

2012 - Urology Advanced Trainee & Prostate Cancer research fellow, St Vincents

2011 - Colorectal Surgery Accredited Trainee, The Canberra Hospital ACT

2011 - Vascular Surgery Accredited Trainee, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital

2010 - Urology/ENT/General Surgery Accredited Registrar, Canterbury Hospital

2010 - Vascular Surgery Accredited Registrar, Concord Hospital

2008-09 - Medical Officer at RNSH in General Surgery, Vascular, Maxillo-facial, Cardio-thoracic surgery, Neuro-surgery & Endocrine Surgery, Ophthalmology, Paediatrics, Emergency, Aged Care & Rehab


Awards, Exams, Conferences & Courses

Recent awards: 
2018 – Finalist for team Clinical Excellence award, UCLH Cystectomy team, McMillan Cancer Support, UK
2018 – Finalist for individual Clinical Excellence Award, best training doctor, University College London Hospital, UK 2017 – Member of the Cystectomy service awarded the clinical excellence award at UCLH, UK
2017 – Awarded PhD in prostate cancer research, UNSW
2015 – Recipient, Alban Gee award best research present, USANZ Aust Urology conference (MRI vs PCA3 vs PHI)
2014 - Recipient of the St Vincent’s Clinic Foundation award for Excellence in Clinical Research
2013 – AUA USA podium presentation award, best research presentation (accuracy of MRI prior to biopsy for PCa)
2012 – Basic and Advanced Biostatistics/ Statistical Modelling courses at UNSW 2012 – High Distinctions

Recent conferences/ courses:
USANZ ASMs 2010, 2011, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2019, 2022
ANZUP Uro-oncology Research ASMs 2012 and 2019
USANZ NSW ASMs 2009, 2010, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2019
Foundation Skills for Surgical Educators Course, RACS 2019
EAU Robotic Urology Section annual meeting, Marseille 2018
BAUS annual scientific conference, Liverpool 2018
BAUS/RCS Accredited Advanced reconstructive techniques in urology, WetLab training course,
UCLH UK, 2018
EAU annual scientific conference, Copenhagen 2018 
EAU annual scientific conference, London 2017
ERUS Robotic Surgery ASM, Bruges 2017
Urological Accredited Trainee Week 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015
USANZ practical skills workshop & trainee week 2012
RACS Surgical Part 1 Urology Exam 2010 with distinction
Dunedin Surgical Exam preparation course 2010
Managing Difficult Colleague Interactions Workshop 2015
CCRISP 2010, ASSET 2010, EMST 2011, CLEAR 2014
USANZ VIC ASM 2015 
AUA Conference San Diego 2013
Australasian Prostate Cancer Conference 2011, 2012, 2013
Steggles MRI and Focal Therapy course 2013 
MRI in Prostate Cancer Conference 2012
USANZ Male LUTS Conference 2011
RACS Simulated Surgical Skills Program (laparoscopic) 2010
Greenlight Laser Prostatectomy Workshop 2009
Advanced Trauma Surgical Skills 2009
RACS Annual Scientific Congress 2010
PETALS (Paediatric Emergency & ALS) 2009
Surgical Anatomy, Microbiology & Physiology IMET 2009
SKIPS (Skills in Paediatrics) 2009
ACSQHC National Clinical Handover Workshop 2009
Swan XV Trauma Conference 2008


Research & Academic Positions

2018 – present: Conjoint Associate Professor, Faculty of Medicine, UNSW

2018 – present: Executive Committee/ Principal Investigator, Australian Prostate Cancer Research Centre, NSW 

2018 – present: Senior Research Fellow, Kinghorn Cancer Centre and Garvan Institute of Medical Research

2018 – present: Member, Prostate Cancer Sub-committee and Bladder Cancer Sub-committee ANZUP collaborative trials group

2012 – 2016: Prostate Cancer Clinical Research Fellow at Kinghorn Cancer Centre/ Garvan Institute of Medical Research

2015 – 2016: Clinical Lecturer/ Examiner, School of Med, UNSW

2017 – 18: Research fellow, University College London NHS Trust

2017 – present: clinical supervisor to UCL Medical Students

2017 – present: course lecturer and trainer: RED course in emergency de-docking for cardiac arrest during robotic surgery.


Chief Investigator (CI) or Site-Investigator (SI) on current trials

  • Site-Investigator on multicenter iROC (intra-corporeal Robotic vs Open Cystectomy) randomised trial of open vs robotic radical cystectomy for bladder cancer, lead site UCLH (CI JD Kelly, Trial Identifier NCT03049410).

  •  Site-Investigator on multicenter Trombone randomised trial of systemic therapy +/- robotic radical prostatectomy in men with oligo-metastatic prostate cancer, lead site UCLH (CI P Sooriakumaran, Trial Identifier ISRCTN15704862

  •  Joint-CI (with P Sooriakumaran) on Multicentre RCT of Sim-adjuvant ePLND vs selective salvage nodal therapy in men undergoing radical prostatectomy for high risk prostate cancer (trial in development/ funding stage).

  •  Co-Primary Investigator on the MRIAS study: prospective cohort study of MRI in Active Surveillance for prostate ca (2013 – present).

  •  Co-investigator on the MAGNIFI study: prospective cross-sectional comparative study of ferro-magnetic Combidex MRI vs Ga68 PSMA-PET CT for pre-operative nodal staging compared to robotic ePLND (2016 – present).

  •  Associate Investigator on the DETECT study: prospective cross-sectional study of 99Tc-labelled PSMA guided PLND during RARP (2016 – present).


Peer reviewed publications & presentations

Invited Journal Reviewer:

The Lancet, Lancet Oncology, European Urology, Journal of Urology, BJU International, Prostate Cancer Prostatic Diseases, BMC Urology, Asian J Urology

Peer-reviewed Journal Publications:

Thompson J, Sridhar A, … Sooriakumaran P. Early oncologic, functional and peri-operative outcomes of salvage robotic-assisted radical prostatectomy after high-intensity focused ultrasound partial ablation. BMC Urol 2020. Epub ahead of Print.

Amin A, …Thompson, J. The Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Active Surveillance (MRIAS) Trial: Use of multiparametric MRI and saturation biopsy to reduce the frequency of surveillance prostate biopsies. J Urol 2020 May; 203 (5): 910-917.

Amin A, Blazevski A, Thompson J, et al. Protocol for the PRIMARY Clinical Trial, a Prospective, Multicentre, Cross-Sectional Study of the Additive Diagnostic Value of Ga-68 PSMA-PET CT to mpMRI in the Diagnostic Setting for Men Being Investigated for Prostate Cancer. BJU Int 2020 April; 125 (4): 515-524.

Blazevski A… Thompson J, et al. Oncological and Quality-of-life Outcomes Following Focal Irreversible Electroporation as Primary Treatment for Localised Prostate Cancer: A Biopsy-monitored Prospective Cohort. Eur Urol Oncol 2019 May 16: S2588-9311(19)30057-4. Epub ahead of Print.

Blazevski A… Thompson J, et al. Irreversible Electroporation (IRE): A Narrative Review of the Development of IRE From the Laboratory to a Prostate Cancer Treatment. BJU Int 2020 Mar; 125(3): 369-378.

 B Pang, Y Zhu, J Ni, J Thompson, D Malouf, J Bucci, P Graham, Y Li. Current progress of extracellular vesicles in prostate cancer early diagnosis. Molecular Cancer 2019 (epub ahead of print).

J Wang , J Ni, J Beretov, J Thompson, P Graham, Y Li. Exosomal microRNAs as liquid biopsy biomarkers in prostate cancer. Critical Reviews in Oncology and Haematology. July 2019 Under review.

Lockhart K… Thompson J, et al. Chemical shift imaging in the identification of those renal tumours that contain microscopic fat and the utility of multi-parametric MRI in their differentiation. Journal Medical Imaging and Radiation Oncology 2020; in press JMIRO-20-0126.

Lockhart K… Thompson J, et al. The diagnostic utility of diffusion weighted MRI imaging and ADC ratio to distinguish benign from malignant renal masses. Japanese Journal of Radiology 2020 (manuscript under review).

Scheltema M, … Thompson J, et al.  Diagnostic accuracy of 68Ga-PSMA PET and mpMRI to detect intra-prostatic clinically significant prostate cancer using whole-mount pathology. Impact of the addition of 68Ga-PSMA PET to mpMRI. BJU Int 2019.

Algohary A, et al. Combination of peri-tumoral and intra-tumoral radiomic features on bi-parametric MRI accurately stratifies prostate cancer risk: A multi-site study. Eur J Rad 2020.

Thompson J, Sridhar A, … Sooriakumaran, P. Pathological landscape following salvage robot-assisted radical prostatectomy after focal high intensity focused ultrasound. J Urol 2019.

(Also presented as poster presentations at EAU 2018 Copenhagen and BAUS 2018 Liverpool and ERUS 2018 Marseille).

Thompson J, Stricker P. Editorial on Kornberg et al. GPS, PIRADS v2 and progression in men on active surveillance for prostate cancer. J Urol JU-18-930-R1 2019.

Algohary … Thompson JE et al. Radiomic Features on MRI enable risk categorization of prostate cancer patients on active surveillance: preliminary findings. J MRI.  2018 Feb 22. doi:10.1002/jmri.25983.

Thompson JE, Egger S, Böhm M, Siriwardana A, Haynes A, Stricker PD. Superior biochemical recurrence rates are achievable with robotic radical prostatectomy after a long learning curve – follow-up study of a prospective single-surgeon study of more than 2,000 consecutive cases. Eur Urol 2017.

Scheltema MJ, Chang JI, Bohm M…Thompson J et al. Pair-matched patient-reported quality of life and early oncological control following focal irreversible electroporation versus robot-assisted radical prostatectomy. 2018 Sep; 36(9):1383-1389.

A Siriwardana, J Thompson, P Van Leeuwen, S Doig, A Kalsbeek, L Emmett, W Delprado, D Wong, H Samaratunga, AM Haynes, G Coughlin, P Stricker. Initial multi-centre experience of 68Gallium-PSMA PET/CT guided robot-assisted salvage lymphadenectomy: acceptable safety profile but oncological benefit appears limited. BJU Int 2017. 120(5): 673-681. Doi: 10.1111/bju.13919.

Thompson JE, Stricker PD. Invited editorial commentary on Borkowetz et al and Faria et al studies in MRI for detection of prostate cancer. Accepted Oct 2017 - in press; Nature Reviews Urology NRU-17-233V1.

Thompson JE, Stricker PD. Diagnostic Accuracy of multi-parametric MRI and transrectal ultrasound-guided biopsy in prostate cancer. The Lancet. 2017; 389 (10071): 767-768. 

Thompson J, Nathan S. Who should undergo radical prostatectomy – a review of the literature. BJUI Knowledge 2018.

PJ van Leeuwen, A Hayen, JE Thompson… PD Stricker. A Multiparametric Magnetic Resonance Imaging Based Risk Model to Determine the Risk of Significant Prostate Cancer prior to biopsy. BJU Int. 2017 Epub. Doi: 10.1111/bju.13814.

Siriwardana A, Thompson J, Stricker P. Personalising prostate cancer care. Part 2. Current Treatment Options. Medicine Today 2017; 18(3): 28-33.

Siriwardana A, Thompson J, Stricker P. Personalising prostate cancer care. Part 1. Advances in Diagnosis. Medicine Today 2017; 18(2): 29-32.

Siriwardana A, Van Den Bos W, Thompson J, Shnier R, Stricker PD. The role of MRI in prostate cancer: a changing paradigm. Medicine Today 2017; 18(1): 44-46.

W van den Bos, M Scheltema, A Siriwardana, A Kalsbeek, J Thompson, F Ting, M Böhm, A Haynes, R Shnier, W Delprado, P Stricker. Focal irreversible electroporation as primary treatment for prostate cancer. BJU Int Aug 2017 epub. Doi: 10.1111/bju.13983. 

Scheltema M, … Thompson J… Stricker PD. Feasability and safety of focal irreversible electroporation as a salvage treatment for radio-recurrent prostate cancer. BJU Int 2017; 120 Suppl (3): 51-58.

Mazzon G, Sridhar A, Busuttil G, Thompson J, Nathan S, Briggs T, Kelly J, Shaw G. Learning curves for robotic surgery: a review of the recent literature. Curr Urol Rep. 2017; 18(11):89. Doi: 10.1007/s11934-017-0738-z.

Khetrapal P,… Thompson J, …Briggs T. The role of robotics in the invasive management of bladder cancer. Curr Urol Rep. 2017; 18(8):57.

A Siriwardana, JE Thompson, F Ting, W Delprado, P Brenner, D Ende, R Kooner, G O’Neill, C Yuen, S Tiwari, AM Haynes, PD Stricker. Lymph node yield at radical prostatectomy is a predictor of biochemical recurrence-free survival (BFS) in high-risk prostate cancer patients. Prostate Cancer. Manuscript under review, 2017.

Cole Clark D, Siriwardana A, Thompson J, Leslie S, Arianayagam M, Varol C, Yuen C. Robotic cystectomy for bladder cancer: a multi-centre retrospective case series of the Australian experience. ANZ J Surg 2018 (under review).

J Thompson et al. Diagnostic utility of Multiparametric MRI, PCA3 and PHI for Detection of Significant Prostate Cancer in men with previous negative biopsy: a prospective cross-sectional study. Prostate Cancer Prostatic Diseases 2018 (under review).

M Rusu, … J Thompson, P Stricker, A Madabhushi. Computational imaging reveals shape differences between normal and malignant prostates on MRI. Scientific Reports. 2017; 7[41261]. Doi: 10.1038/srep41261.

Ginsburg S, …Thompson J…Madabushi A. Radiomic Features for Prostate Cancer Detection on MRI differ between the Transition and Peripheral Zones: Preliminary Findings from a Multi-institutional Study. Journal Magnetic Resonance Imaging. 2017; 46(1): 184-193. 

J Thompson, Van Leeuwen, D Moses, R Shnier, P Brenner, W Delprado, L Ponsky, M Pulbrook, M Bohm, A Haynes, J Matthews, A Hayen, P Stricker. The diagnostic performance of Multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging to detect significant prostate cancer. J Urol 2016. 192: 67-74.

Van Leeuwen P, Siriwardana A… Thompson J, et al. Predicting low-risk prostate cancer from transperineal saturation biopsies. Prostate Cancer. 2016. Doi:10.1155/2016/7105678. 

M Tran, J Thompson, M Bohm, … P Stricker. Combination of multi-parametric magnetic resonance imaging (mp-MRI) and transperineal template-guided mapping biopsy (TTMB) of the prostate to identify candidates for hemi-ablative focal therapy. BJU Int. 2016; 117(1): 48-54.

Ting F, Van Leeuwen P, Thompson J, et al. Assessment of the performance of magnetic resonance imaging/ ultrasound fusion guided prostate biopsy against a combined targeted plus systematic biopsy approach using 24-core transperineal saturation template mapping prostate biopsy. Prostate Cancer. 2016. Doi: 10.1155/2016/ 3794738. 

J Thompson, A Hayen, A Landau, A Haynes, A Kalapara, J Ischia, J Matthews, M Frydenberg, P Stricker. Medium-term oncological outcomes for extended vs saturation biopsy and transrectal vs transperineal biopsy in active surveillance for prostate cancer. BJUI 2015; 115(6): 884-891.

J Thompson, D Moses, R Shnier, … P Stricker. Multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging guided diagnostic biopsy detects significant prostate cancer & could reduce unnecessary biopsies and over detection: a prospective study. J Urol 2014. 192: 67-74.

J Thompson, A Hayen, P Stricker. Reply from Authors to El Shater Bosaily et al regarding letter to the editor re: Multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging guided diagnostic biopsy detects significant prostate cancer & could reduce unnecessary biopsies and over detection: a prospective study. J Urol 2015; 193(2): 735-736.

Thompson, J; Egger, S; Böhm, M; Haynes, A; Matthews, J; Rasiah, K; Stricker, P. Superior quality of life and improved surgical margins are achievable with robotic radical prostatectomy after a long learning curve – a prospective single-surgeon study of 1,552 consecutive cases. European Urology 2014; 65(1): 521-531.

Thompson, J; Egger, S; Stricker, P. Reply from authors regarding Rao et al re: Superior quality of life and improved surgical margins are achievable with robotic radical prostatectomy after a long learning curve – a prospective single-surgeon study of 1,552 consecutive cases. European Urology 2014. 

Thompson J, Lawrentschuk N, Frydenberg M, Thompson L, Stricker P. Review of the role of magnetic resonance imaging in the diagnosis and management of prostate cancer. BJUI 2013; 112 Suppl 2:6-20.

Thompson J, Lawrentschuk N, Frydenberg M, Thompson L, Stricker P. USANZ MRI working party position statement on the role of magnetic resonance imaging in the diagnosis & management of prostate cancer. USANZ; Published online Oct 2012.

Thompson J, Galketiya K, Lim J. Antiplatelets in general surgery: a survey of current practise amongst general surgeons and literature review. ANZ J Surg 2012.

Thompson J, Collett L, Langbart M, Purcell N, Boyd S, Yuminaga Y, Ossolinski G, Susanto C, McCormack A. Using the ISBAR handover tool in junior medical officer handover: a trial in an Australian tertiary hospital. Postgrad Med J 2011; 87: 340-4. PubMed PMID: 21310805.  

Textbook chapters:

Thompson J, Sooriakumaran P. The role of robotic radical prostatectomy in the management of prostate cancer. Chapter in:Handbook of Robotic and Image-guided surgery. 2017 in press.

 Thompson J, Stricker P, Coughlin G. Improving oncological outcomes with robotic radical prostatectomy. Book Chapter in: Textbook of Robotic Surgery, Gharagozloo, F (Ed), 2nd edition 2014.

 Selected conference podium presentations: 

Thompson J, …Kelly JD. Salvage RARP post HIFU for prostate cancer. Accepted for EAU Conference March 2018.

Shaw, G, … Thompson J…Neal D. Effects of single dose simadjuvant degarelix 240mg on 5 year treatment failure rate after radical prostatectomy for high risk prostate cancer. Accepted for EAU Conference 2018.

 Sridhar A, … Thompson J, Briggs T. Surgical Techniques to optimize early urinary continence recovery post robot assisted radical prostatectomy for prostate cancer. Presented EAU ERUS Conference 2017. Eur Urol suppl; 16(6). Doi: 10.1016/S1569-9056(17)31517-8.

Thompson J. The role of MRI and PSMA in diagnosis and management of prostate cancer. Invited lecture – USANZ Victorian ASM, 2015.

Thompson, J; Egger, S; Böhm, M; Haynes, A; Matthews, J; Rasiah, K; Stricker, P. Superior quality of life and improved surgical margins are achievable with robotic radical prostatectomy after a long learning curve – a prospective single-surgeon study of 1,552 consecutive cases. Presented at NSW USANZ ASM 2013.

 J Thompson, D Moses, R Shnier, P Brenner, W Delprado, L Ponsky, A Haynes, J Matthews, A Hayen, P Stricker. Magnetic resonance imaging detects significant prostate cancer & could reduce unnecessary biopsies and overdetection: results from a prospective cross-sectional study. Presentations at USANZ 2014, AUA 2013, USANZ 2013, MRI Conference 2013.

J Thompson, J Dargan, L Hayden, N Lalak, K Haghighi, P Mancuso, Paul Salmon, Paul Gassner. Stone Free Rates, Complications, Length Of Stay And Costs Associated With Pyeloscopy Vs Pcnl For Intermediate Size Renal Calculi. USANZ State Conference 2014 and Australasian ASM 2015 Presentations.

 J Thompson, N Mehan, K Easter, M Yuhico, C Whelan, T Nicholson. Comparison of the accuracy of 12-, 16- and 20-core trans-rectal biopsy for detection of significant prostate cancer and correlation with radical prostatectomy. USANZ NSW Conference Presentations, 2013 and 2014.

 Thompson J, Oneill C, Suliburk J, Sywak M, Sidhu S, Delbridge L. Mediastinal parathyroids: selection of operative approach based on pre-operative imaging modalities. ANZ J Surg. 2011 ASC Abstracts.