The 2017 Annual Meeting of China Anti-Cancer Association-Genitourinary Cancer Committee & the 7th Shanghai Genitourinary Oncology International Symposium was held in Shanghai from 9–10 December 2017. We were honored to invite and interview Dr. Philippe E. Spiess from Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa FL, to share his views on recent developments in kidney cancer treatment, minimally invasive surgeries for kidney cancer, various technologies, and his own story as a surgeon.