1. Consistencies in Follow-up After Radical Cystectomy for Bladder Cancer: A Framework Based on Expert Practices Collaboratively Developed by the European Association of Urology Bladder Cancer Guideline Panels.
- Author
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Mertens LS, Bruins HM, Contieri R, Babjuk M, Rai BP, Puig AC, Escrig JLD, Gontero P, van der Heijden AG, Liedberg F, Martini A, Masson-Lecomte A, Meijer RP, Mostafid H, Neuzillet Y, Pradere B, Redlef J, van Rhijn BWG, Rouanne M, Rouprêt M, Sæbjørnsen S, Seisen T, Shariat SF, Soria F, Soukup V, Thalmann G, Xylinas E, Mariappan P, and Alfred Witjes J
- Subjects
- Humans, Europe, Practice Guidelines as Topic, Follow-Up Studies, Urology standards, Surveys and Questionnaires, Aftercare standards, Aftercare methods, Urinary Bladder Neoplasms surgery, Urinary Bladder Neoplasms pathology, Cystectomy methods
- Abstract
Background and Objective: There is no standardized regimen for follow-up after radical cystectomy (RC) for bladder cancer (BC). To address this gap, we conducted a multicenter study involving urologist members from the European Association of Urology (EAU) bladder cancer guideline panels. Our objective was to identify consistent post-RC follow-up strategies and develop a practice-based framework based on expert opinion., Methods: We surveyed 27 urologist members of the EAU guideline panels for non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer and muscle-invasive and metastatic bladder cancer using a pre-tested questionnaire with dichotomous responses. The survey inquired about follow-up strategies after RC and the use of risk-adapted strategies. Consistency was defined as >75% affirmative responses for follow-up practices commencing 3 mo after RC. Descriptive statistics were used for analysis., Key Findings and Limitations: We received responses from 96% of the panel members, who provided data from 21 European hospitals. Risk-adapted follow-up is used in 53% of hospitals, with uniform criteria for high-risk (at least ≥pT3 or pN+) and low-risk ([y]pT0/a/1N0) cases. In the absence of agreement for risk-based follow up, a non-risk-adapted framework for follow-up was developed. Higher conformity was observed within the initial 3 yr, followed by a decline in subsequent follow-up. Follow-up was most frequent during the first year, including patient assessments, physical examinations, and laboratory tests. Computed tomography of the chest and abdomen/pelvis was the most common imaging modality, initially at least biannually, and then annually from years 2 to 5. There was a lack of consistency for continuing follow-up beyond 10 yr after RC., Conclusions and Clinical Implications: This practice-based post-RC follow-up framework developed by EAU bladder cancer experts may serve as a valuable guide for urologists in the absence of prospective randomized studies., Patient Summary: We asked urologists from the EAU bladder cancer guideline panels about their patient follow-up after surgical removal of the bladder for bladder cancer. We found that although urologists have varying approaches, there are also common follow-up practices across the panel. We created a practical follow-up framework that could be useful for urologists in their day-to-day practice., (Copyright © 2024. Published by Elsevier B.V.)
- Published
- 2025
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