Dott. Nicolai Nicola

Dr. Nicola Nicolai is a distinguished Urologic Oncologist at the Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori in Milan, where he serves as the Director of the Urologic Oncology Unit.

An internationally recognized authority in genitourinary oncology, his career has been dedicated to advancing the treatment of rare and complex urologic cancers, particularly testicular and penile cancer.

He graduate with honours from the University of Pisa, Dr. Nicolai completed his specialized training with honours in both General Surgery and Urology at the University of Milan. He has been an integral part of the Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori since 1989, shaping the institution's approach to urologic oncology for over three decades.

Throughout his career, Dr. Nicolai has pioneered innovative surgical techniques. He is globally renowned for his expertise in retroperitoneal surgery for testicular tumors metastases and minimally invasive surgery, having refined the approaches that are now considered benchmarks in the field. His contributions extend beyond surgery; he has been instrumental in developing systemic salvage treatments for metastatic disease. In parallel, he has championed a multidisciplinary approach to penile cancer, advancing both surgical and medical treatment strategies from initial diagnosis through advanced stages. His commitment to minimally invasive principles also encompasses renal, bladder, and prostate cancers.

Dr. Nicolai’s leadership is evident both within his institution and the wider medical community. He was head of the Testicular Surgery Unit from 2009 to 2025 and has led the Oncology Urology Unit since January 2022. He is a founding member and current Deputy President of the Italian Germ Cell Tumors Study Group (IGG). His expertise is sought after internationally; he served on the Guidelines Panel of the European Association of Urology (EAU) from 2013 to 2025 and has contributed to international consensus statements and guidelines for the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO).

An active educator and contributor to medical science, Dr. Nicolai held teaching roles at the University of Milan and the Vita-Salute San Raffaele University. He has authored over 180 publications in peer-reviewed journals and is a frequently invited speaker at major international congresses. He holds the national scientific academia qualification in Urology.