Impact of a Switch From Ciprofloxacin to Ceftriaxone Prophylaxis on Infectious Complications After Transrectal Ultrasound-Guided Biopsy of the Prostate.

In a 12-year single-center quasi-experimental study, a switch from ciprofloxacin to ceftriaxone prophylaxis for transrectal ultrasound-guided prostate biopsy procedures was associated with a significant reduction in 30-day postprocedure urinary tract infection, urinary tract infection-related hospitalizations, antibiotic prescriptions, and isolation of fluoroquinolone-resistant organisms from urine or blood cultures.

Automated closed-loop stimulation to inhibit neurogenic bladder overactivity.

Individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI) usually develop neurogenic detrusor overactivity (NDO), resulting in bladder urgency and incontinence, and reduced quality of life. Electrical stimulation of the genital nerves (GNS) can inhibit uncontrolled bladder contractions in individuals with SCI. An automated closed-loop bladder neuromodulation system currently does not exist but could improve this approach. We have developed a custom algorithm to identify bladder contractions and trigger stimulation from bladder pressure data without need for abdominal pressure measurement. The goal of this pilot study was to test the feasibility of automated closed-loop GNS using our custom algorithm to identify and inhibit reflex bladder contractions in real time. Experiments were conducted in a single session in a urodynamics laboratory in four individuals with SCI and NDO. Each participant completed standard cystometrograms without and with GNS. Our custom algorithm monitored bladder vesical pressure and controlled when GNS was turned on and off. The custom algorithm detected bladder contractions in real time, successfully inhibiting a total of 56 contractions across all four subjects. There were eight false positives, six of those occurring in one subject. It took approximately 4.0 ± 2.6 s for the algorithm to detect the onset of a bladder contraction and trigger stimulation. The algorithm maintained stimulation for approximately 3.5 ± 1.7 s, which was enough to inhibit activity and relieve feelings of urgency. Automated closed-loop stimulation was well-tolerated and subjects reported that algorithm decisions generally matched with their perceptions of bladder activity. The custom algorithm automatically, successfully identified bladder contractions to trigger stimulation to inhibit bladder contractions acutely. Closed-loop neuromodulation using our custom algorithm is feasible, but further testing is needed refine this approach for use in a home environment.

Prostate Cancer Screening and Young Black Men: Can Early Communication Avoid Later Health Disparities?

This study aims to determine if younger men, across racial and ethnic groups, discussed the benefits/risks/harms of PSA screening with health care professionals. Publicly available data were obtained from the Health Information National Trends Survey https://hints.cancer.gov/ in March 2019. Cross-sectional analysis of 518 men between the ages of 18 and 49 years from men who completed the survey between October 2011 and February 2012 (HINTS cycle 4) was performed. We used logistic regression to evaluate the association between race/ethnicity and discussions around PSA. Less than 10% of the participants reported a prior PSA; Black and Hispanic men were more likely compared with White men. Compared with White men, Black and other race men reported receiving less communications from some doctors recommending PSA screening (ORblack: 0.16, 95% CIblack: 0.07-0.38; ORother: 0.10, 95% CIother: 0.04-0.25), and that no one is sure PSA testing saves lives (ORblack: 0.49, 95% CIblack: 0.04-6.91; ORother: 0.17, 95% CIother: 0.06-0.48). Minority men, while more likely to have had a PSA, were less likely to be told of the harms and benefits of PSA testing, compared with White men. Increasing communication surrounding screening advantages and disadvantages between providers and patients can increase awareness and knowledge among younger men. In a post-COVID-19 environment, communication regarding the return to preventative screenings within vulnerable populations is an important message to convey. Research shows preventive screenings have dropped across all population groups due to the pandemic yet the decline disproportionately affects Black and other minority men.

Gender Disparity in Cystectomy Postoperative Outcomes: Propensity Score Analysis of the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program Database.

BACKGROUND: While female gender is considered a protective determinant in the majority of cancers, outcomes in women diagnosed with bladder cancer have continued to show disproportional mortality when compared with men. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this retrospective propensity score-matched analysis was to evaluate the intra- and postoperative differences among genders, as well as to evaluate reproductive organ-preserving radical cystectomy (ROPRC) as compared with radical cystectomy (RC) as a potential confounder in female cystectomy patients. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: Utilizing the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS-NSQIP), men and women undergoing a cystectomy between 2011 and 2017 were analyzed. In addition, females undergoing ROPRC and RC were analyzed for immediate postoperative outcomes. OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS AND STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Men and women undergoing a cystectomy were evaluated through propensity score matching (PSM) for baseline differences using a 1:1 caliper width of 0.2 to the nearest neighbor. Using multivariable logistic regression analysis, we evaluated differences in the risk of readmission, complications, and reoperation in the immediate postsurgical period in males and females. Similarly, differences were assessed in ROPRC and RC groups. RESULTS AND LIMITATIONS: We achieved a balance between males and females after PSM: 1263 males and 1263 females treated with cystectomy. The risks of readmission (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 1.228 [1.005-1.510], p=0.045), superficial surgical site infection (aOR 1.507 [1.095-2.086], p=0.012), and transfusion (aOR 2.031 [1.713-2.411], p<0.001) were increased in females undergoing a cystectomy compared with males. No differences were observed in surgical outcomes in ovarian sparing/RC cohort. CONCLUSIONS: Using the 2011-2017 NSQIP database, we were able to demonstrate an increased rate of postoperative transfusion, readmission rate, and surgical site infection in females who underwent cystectomy. Our findings suggest that females experience an increased rate of complications in the immediate postoperative period. This may ultimately lead to worse oncologic outcomes in females after an RC. Lastly, we did not find any increased rate of complications in ROPRC as compared with RC. PATIENT SUMMARY: This study highlights differences in immediate postoperative outcomes between males and females undergoing cystectomy for bladder cancer. Some of these potential differences include higher risk of infection, transfusion, and readmission. These differences may predispose females to worse long-term outcomes. In addition, due to potential benefits of ovarian preservation in the recent literature, we also evaluated the risks and complications of ovarian sparing cystectomy. We found ovarian preservation to be a safe and feasible procedure in a highly selected group of patients.

Epidural Anesthesia is Associated With Increased Complications in Cystectomy Patients: A NSQIP Analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To identify differences in short-term outcomes and readmission rates in cystectomy patients managed with general anesthesia compared to those undergoing general anesthesia and adjuvant epidural anesthesia. METHODS: Utilizing the National Surgical Quality Inpatient Program database, patients who underwent a cystectomy with ileal conduit between 2014 and 2017 were included. Patients were further subdivided based on additional anesthesia modality; general anesthesia vs general anesthesia plus epidural anesthesia. Propensity score-matching was used to adjust for baseline differences between cohorts using 1:1 caliper width of 0.15 for the propensity score through the nearest neighbor. Stepwise multivariable logistic regression was used to identify preoperative and intraoperative predictors associated with 30-day procedure related readmission, complications, and length of stay. RESULTS: About 2956 patients met our inclusion and exclusion criteria and eligible for propensity score matching. Compared to general anesthesia, adjuvant epidural anesthesia showed an increased odds of procedure related complications (adjusted Odds Ratio (aOR): 1.264, 95% CI: 1.019-1.567, P = .033). There was an increased trend for development of pulmonary emboli (13 [1.8%] vs 4 [0.5%], P = .051) in the adjuvant epidural cohort. Combined general with epidural anesthesia demonstrated no difference in length of stay, readmission, or reoperation rate in comparison to general anesthesia alone. CONCLUSION: Cystectomy patients who underwent general anesthesia plus epidural anesthesia demonstrated a higher percentage of any procedural related complication without change in postoperative stay, reoperation rate, or readmission rate compared to patients undergoing general anesthesia alone.

Superfluous Hospital Expenditure Associated with Unnecessary Renal Cyst Surveillance.

INTRODUCTION: To measure the cost expenditure associated with renal cyst surveillance, we examined renal cyst surveillance patterns at our institution and the associated surplus cost of unindicated imaging. METHODS: Patients with a renal cyst diagnosis between January 2017 and June 2018 were identified and their respective clinical and imaging data were reviewed for surveillance patterns. Unindicated renal cyst followup was defined by the Radiographic Society of North America and Canadian Urological Association. Total unnecessary expenditures from ultrasound, computerized tomography and magnetic resonance imaging were calculated using cost of services provided by FAIRHealth Consumer®. Univariate and multivariable analyses were performed with statistical significance defined as p <0.05. RESULTS: A total of 1,100 patients were identified, with a random sample of 292 selected for analysis. Of these patients 271 were diagnosed with Bosniak I and II renal cysts. Overall 52 (19%) of these patients underwent unindicated imaging, which totaled 60 ultrasound, 19 computerized tomography and 5 magnetic resonance imaging. A total superfluous cost of $347,501 was calculated when extrapolating to the entire nephrology cohort. Multivariable analysis showed higher unindicated imaging for Bosniak II renal cysts compared to Bosniak I renal cysts (OR 3.2, 95% CI 1.6-6.3, p <0.001) and decreased surveillance imaging for African American compared to Caucasian patients (OR 0.29, 95% CI 0.13-0.59, p <0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Among patients diagnosed with Bosniak I and II renal cysts, unnecessary surveillance imaging was associated with higher hospital costs. Adherence to strict renal imaging guidelines for renal cysts can significantly reduce unnecessary expenditures, patient anxiety and patient harm.

Observed racial disparity in the negative predictive value of multi-parametric MRI for the diagnosis for prostate cancer.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the trend that despite recent advances in the screening, diagnosis, and management of prostate cancer (PCa), African-Americans (AAs) continue to have poorer outcomes compared to their Caucasian (CAU) counterparts. The reason for this may be rooted in biological differences in the cancer between the two groups; however, there may be some inherent disparities within the efficacy of the screening modalities. In this study, we aim to evaluate the negative predictive value (NPV) of multi-parametric MRI (mpMRI) between AA compared to CAUs. METHODS: All mpMRI between January 2014 and June 2017 were evaluated. The MRIs were read by dedicated genitourinary radiologists. Subsequently, the readings were correlated to final pathology after the patients underwent radical prostatectomy. The NPV and negative likelihood ratios (-LR) of mpMRI were evaluated in AAs versus CAUs based on four cutoffs (≥ Grade I, ≥ Grade II, ≥ Grade III and ≥ Grade IV). RESULTS: The mpMRI was almost equally as effective between AAs and CAUs in excluding Grade III (NPV = 89 and 94, respectively), and Grade IV or above (NPV = 96 and 98, respectively) PCa; however, the NPV of mpMRI was significantly lower for Grade I (NPV = 32 and 52, respectively) and Grade II (NPV = 50 and 79, respectively) PCa. CONCLUSION: Despite advances in the screening for PCa, there are disparities noted in the efficacy of screening tools between AAs and CAUs. For this reason, patients should be risk stratified and their screening results should be evaluated with consideration given to their baseline risk.

Surgical trends and patient factors associated with the treatment of apical pelvic organ prolapse from a national sample.

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: Prolapse of the vaginal apex can be treated using multiple surgical modalities. We describe national trends and patient characteristics associated with the surgical approach and compare perioperative outcomes of abdominal versus vaginal repair of apical pelvic organ prolapse (POP). METHODS: The 2006-2012 National Surgical Quality Improvement Program Database was queried for abdominal sacrocolpopexy (ASC) and vaginal apical suspensions. Patients were stratified by whether or not concomitant hysterectomy (CH) was performed or whether or not they were post-hysterectomy (PH). Multivariate logistic regressions were adjusted for confounding variables. RESULTS: A total of 6,147 patients underwent apical POP repair: 33.9% (2,085) ASCs, 66.1% (4,062) vaginal suspensions. 60.0% (3,689) underwent CH. In all cohorts, older patients were less likely to have ASC (CH: OR 0.48, CI 0.28-0.83, p = 0.008 for age ≥ 60; PH: OR 0.28, CI 0.18-0.43, p < 0.001). Over time, the proportion of all vaginal and abdominal repairs remained relatively stable. Use of minimally invasive ASC, however, increased over the study period (trend p < 0.001), and use of mesh for vaginal suspensions decreased (p < 0.001). ASC had a longer median operative time (PH 174 vs 95 min, p < 0.001; CH 192 vs 127 min, p < 0.001). Complication rates were the same for vaginal repairs and ASC, overall and when sub-stratified by hysterectomy status. CONCLUSIONS: Nationally, most apical POP repairs are performed via a vaginal route. Older age was predictive of the vaginal route for both CH and PH groups. ASCs had longer operative times. There has been increased utilization of minimally invasive ASC and decreased use of mesh-augmented vaginal suspensions over time.

Outcomes of minimally invasive abdominal sacrocolpopexy with resident operative involvement.

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: Resident involvement in complex surgeries is under scrutiny with increasing attention paid to health care efficiency and quality. Outcomes of urogynecological surgery with resident involvement are poorly described. We hypothesized that resident surgical involvement does not influence perioperative outcomes in minimally invasive abdominal sacrocolpopexy (ASC). METHODS: Using the 2006-2012 National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database, we identified 450 cases of laparoscopic or robotic ASC performed with resident involvement. Resident operative participation was stratified by experience (junior [PGY 1-3] vs senior level [PGY ≥4]). The primary outcome was operative time, and multinomial logistic regression was used to determine the effects of resident involvement and experience. Chi-squared analyses were used to assess the relationship between resident participation with length of stay (LOS) and 30-day complications and readmissions. RESULTS: Residents participated in 74% (n = 334) of these surgeries, and these cases were significantly longer (median 220 vs 195 min, p = 0.03). On multivariate analysis, senior level resident involvement was associated with longer operative times across all time intervals compared with <2 h (2 to ≤4 h relative risk reduction [RRR] 4.1, p = 0.007, CI 1.47-11.40; 4 to ≤6 h RRR 6.6, p = 0.001, CI 2.23-19.44; ≥6 h RRR 4.7, p = 0.020, CI 1.28-17.43). Resident participation was not associated with LOS, readmissions, or complications. CONCLUSIONS: Senior level resident involvement in minimally invasive ASC is associated with longer operative times, with no association with LOS or adverse perioperative outcomes. The educational benefit of surgical training does not adversely affect patient outcomes for ASC.

National Surgical Trends and Perioperative Outcomes of Midurethral Sling Placement for Stress Urinary Incontinence.

OBJECTIVE: To determine contemporary trends, patient characteristics, and outcomes for midurethral sling placement (MUS) at inpatient and ambulatory facilities from a national database. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Using the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database, we identified 7767 women who underwent isolated MUS 2006-2012. We stratified patients by hospitalization type (outpatient vs hospitalization). Primary outcomes were 30-day complications, readmissions, and reoperations. Multivariable logistic regression was used to determine patient and surgery factors associated with adverse perioperative outcomes. RESULTS: Among the 7767 women undergoing MUS, 84.3% underwent outpatient surgery (n = 6547), with greater use of outpatient facilities over time (P < .001). Overall, 3.9% of patients (n = 300) experienced one or more postoperative complications. Complications were more likely among inpatients (7.4% vs 3.2%; odds ratio [OR] 0.48, confidence interval [CI] 0.36-0.64, P < .001), with gynecologists as compared to urologists (4.4% vs 3.1%; OR 1.53, CI 1.16-2.02, P = .003), and with resident participation (5.1% vs 3.7%; OR 1.32, CI 1.01-1.73, P = .04). On multivariable analysis, outpatients were less likely to experience readmissions (0.9% vs 2.8%; OR 0.2, CI 0.09-0.56, P = .002) or undergo reoperation (0.3% vs 3.1%; OR 0.10, CI 0.02-0.38, P = .001). CONCLUSION: Use of outpatient surgical centers for MUS is increasing, with lower rates of complications, readmissions, and reoperations compared to inpatient treatment. Although there is a difference in complications by specialty and with resident involvement, overall incidence of complications is low.

Suppression of antiviral innate immunity by sunitinib enhances oncolytic virotherapy.

The use of lytic viruses to preferentially infect and eliminate cancer cells while sparing normal cells is a promising experimental therapeutic approach for treating cancer. However, the efficacy of oncolytic virotherapy is often limited by two innate immunity pathways, the protein kinase PKR and the 2'-5'-oligoadenylate (OAS)/RNase L systems, which are widely present in many but not all tumor cell types. Previously, we reported that the anticancer drug, sunitinib, an inhibitor of VEGF-R and PDGF-R, has off-target effects against both PKR and RNase L. Here we show that combining sunitinib treatments with infection by an oncolytic virus, vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV), led to the elimination of prostate, breast, and kidney malignant tumors in mice. In contrast, either virus or sunitinib alone slowed tumor progression but did not eliminate tumors. In prostate tumors excised from treated mice, sunitinib decreased levels of the phosphorylated form of translation initiation factor, eIF2-α, a substrate of PKR, by 10-fold while increasing median viral titers by 23-fold. The sunitinib/VSV regimen caused complete and sustained tumor regression in both immunodeficient and immunocompetent animals. Results indicate that transient inhibition of innate immunity with sunitinib enhances oncolytic virotherapy allowing the recovery of tumor-bearing animals.

The REDUCE metagram: a comprehensive prediction tool for determining the utility of dutasteride chemoprevention in men at risk for prostate cancer.

INTRODUCTION: 5-alpha reductase inhibitors can reduce the risk of prostate cancer (PCa) but can be associated with significant side effects. A library of nomograms which predict the risk of clinical endpoints relevant to dutasteride treatment may help determine if chemoprevention is suited to the individual patient. METHODS: Data from the REDUCE trial was used to identify predictive factors for 9 endpoints relevant to dutasteride treatment. Using the treatment and placebo groups from the biopsy cohort, Cox proportional hazards (PH) and competing risks regression (CRR) models were used to build 18 nomograms, whose predictive ability was measured by concordance index (CI) and calibration plots. RESULTS: A total of 18 nomograms assessing the risks of cancer, high grade cancer, high grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (HGPIN), atypical small acinar proliferation (ASAP), erectile dysfunction (ED), acute urinary retention (AUR), gynecomastia, urinary tract infection (UTI) and BPH-related surgery either on or off dutasteride were created. The nomograms for cancer, high grade cancer, ED, AUR, and BPH-related surgery demonstrated good discrimination and calibration while those for gynecomastia, UTI, HGPIN, and ASAP predicted no better than random chance. CONCLUSIONS: To aid patients in determining whether the benefits of dutasteride use outweigh the risks, we have developed a comprehensive metagram that can generate individualized risks of 9 outcomes relevant to men considering chemoprevention. Better models based on more predictive markers are needed for some of the endpoints but the current metagram demonstrates potential as a tool for patient counseling and decision-making that is accessible, intuitive, and clinically relevant.

Formalized prediction of clinically significant prostate cancer: is it possible?

Greater understanding of the biology and epidemiology of prostate cancer in the last several decades have led to significant advances in its management. Prostate cancer is now detected in greater numbers at lower stages of disease and is amenable to multiple forms of efficacious treatment. However, there is a lack of conclusive data demonstrating a definitive mortality benefit from this earlier diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer. It is likely due to the treatment of a large proportion of indolent cancers that would have had little adverse impact on health or lifespan if left alone. Due to this overtreatment phenomenon, active surveillance with delayed intervention is gaining traction as a viable management approach in contemporary practice. The ability to distinguish clinically insignificant cancers from those with a high risk of progression and/or lethality is critical to the appropriate selection of patients for surveillance protocols versus immediate intervention. This chapter will review the ability of various prediction models, including risk groupings and nomograms, to predict indolent disease and determine their role in the contemporary management of clinically localized prostate cancer.

Role of postchemotherapy retroperitoneal lymph node dissection in advanced germ cell tumors.

Advanced germ cell tumors (GCTs) are curable with the appropriate integration of cisplatin-based chemotherapy and postchemotherapy surgical resection of residual masses. For men with retroperitoneal metastases, postchemotherapy retroperitoneal lymph node dissection (PC-RPLND) is a vital component of this treatment algorithm. The rationale for PC-RPLND is based on the consistent 10% to 20% and 35% to 55% incidence of viable malignancy and teratoma, respectively. Prognostic factors and nomograms cannot predict the presence of necrosis with sufficient accuracy to obviate the need for PC-RPLND. This article reviews the indications, technique, and outcomes of PC-RPLND in the management of advanced GCT.

Focal therapy in the management of localized prostate cancer.

OBJECTIVES: • To assess the rationale, efficacy, and morbidity of various methods of achieving focal prostatic ablation. • To determine the current role of focal therapy in the management of localized prostate cancer. METHODS: • We performed a literature review of focal therapy in prostate cancer, with an emphasis on more established methods such as cryoablation and high-intensity focused ultrasound. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: • Focal ablative methods allow targeted destruction of prostatic tissue while limiting the morbidity associated with whole-gland therapy. • Local cancer control after focal therapy appears promising but does not approach that of established whole-gland therapies. • Until we have the ability to identify patients reliably with truly focal disease and predict their natural history, focal therapy cannot be considered to be the definitive therapy for localized prostate cancer.

The human retrovirus XMRV in prostate cancer and chronic fatigue syndrome.

Xenotropic murine leukemia virus-related virus (XMRV) is an authentic, newly recognized human retrovirus first identified in prostate cancer tissues from men with a deficiency in the innate immunity gene RNASEL. At present, studies have detected XMRV at widely different rates in prostate cancer cases (0-27%) and in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS; 0-67%). Indirect or direct modes of carcinogenesis by XMRV have been suggested depending on whether the virus was found in stroma or malignant epithelium. Viral replication in the prostate might be affected by androgens, which stimulate XMRV through a transcriptional enhancer site in viral DNA. By contrast, host restriction factors, such as APOBEC3 and tetherin, inhibit virus replication. Immune dysfunction mediated by XMRV has been suggested as a possible factor in CFS. Recent studies show that some existing antiretroviral drugs suppress XMRV infections and diagnostic assays are under development. Although other retroviruses of the same genus as XMRV (gammaretroviruses) cause cancer and neurological disease in animals, whether XMRV is a cause of either prostate cancer or CFS remains unknown. Emerging science surrounding XMRV is contributing to our knowledge of retroviral infections while focusing intense interest on two major human diseases.

Racial disparities in urologic health care.

In the United States, disparities in health care delivery and access are apparent between different racial and ethnic groups. Minorities, including African Americans, often suffer disproportionately from disease compared to Caucasians. In the urologic arena, this is apparent in urologic cancer screening, treatment choices, and survival, as well as in the arena of chronic kidney disease, transplant allocation, and transplant outcomes. Latino men also seem to be affected more often by erectile dysfunction than Caucasian counterparts. Disparities such as these have been identified as a problem in the delivery of health care in the United States, and resources have been allocated to help allay the disparity. Through organizations such as the Cleveland Clinic Minority Men's Health Center, policy initiatives, and increased cultural awareness by physicians, steps can be made to reduce and eliminate health care disparities.

Are nomograms needed in the management of bladder cancer?

Bladder cancer has a remarkably variable natural history. Noninvasive, low-grade (TaLG) lesions have a propensity to recur but pose little threat to the patient's longevity. Non-muscle-invasive, high-grade (Ta-TIS-T1HG) lesions can be effectively treated with intravesical BCG, but a subset may progress to muscle-invasive and metastatic bladder cancer. Muscle-invasive cancers (T2-T3) are uniformly lethal if inadequately treated, and subsets of patients benefit from perioperative chemotherapy and some may be adequately treated with bladder preservation strategies. The ability to accurately predict this variable natural history is essential to optimize treatment. At each stage of disease, the prognosis is often influenced by multiple parameters (e.g., tumor grade and stage, age, comorbidity) and treatments (e.g., radical cystectomy vs. BCG), and different endpoints are relevant based on the stage of disease (recurrence for TaLG, progression for Ta-TIS-T1HG, survival for T2-T4a). Historically, prediction of these endpoints for decision-making has been accomplished with physician judgment and/or basic decision aids such as risk classification systems. However, such methods of risk estimation are unable to fully account for the complex tumor biology and behavior of bladder cancer, potentially leading to inaccurate predictions and inappropriate treatment assignment. Nomograms are capable of incorporating multiple variables and generating accurate risk estimates tailored to the individual patient which may greatly facilitate patient counseling and treatment selection. Although their use has become more widespread, bladder cancer nomograms remain a relatively nascent field of study, and further development of novel nomograms that can account for all clinical stages of bladder cancer is needed.

Defining the optimal treatment for clinical stage I nonseminomatous germ cell testicular cancer using decision analysis.

PURPOSE There is equipoise regarding the optimal treatment of clinical stage (CS) I nonseminomatous germ cell testicular cancer (NSGCT). Formal mechanisms that enable patients to consider cancer outcomes, treatment-related morbidity, and personal preferences are needed to facilitate decision making between retroperitoneal lymph node dissection (RPLND), primary chemotherapy, and surveillance. METHODS Decision analysis was performed using a Markov model that incorporated likelihoods of survival, treatment-related morbidity, and utilities for seven undesired post-treatment health states to estimate the quality-adjusted survival (QAS) for each treatment option. Utilities were obtained from 24 hypothetical NSGCT patients using a visual analog (rating) scale and standard gamble. Results Overall, QAS associated with each treatment was high and differences in QAS were small. Surveillance was the preferred intervention for patients with a risk of relapse less than 33% and 37% using the rating scale and standard-gamble method of utility assessment, respectively. Active treatment was favored over surveillance for patients with relapse risk on surveillance greater than 33% and 37% by the rating scale (RPLND preferred) and standard-gamble methods (primary chemotherapy preferred), respectively. Substantial differences in average utilities were seen depending on the method used. By the rating scale, patients substantially devalued life in six of seven undesired health states but they were surprisingly tolerant of treatment-related morbidity using standard gamble. CONCLUSION A decision model has been developed for CS I NSGCT that estimates QAS for RPLND, primary chemotherapy, and surveillance by considering cancer outcomes, morbidity, and patient preferences. Surveillance was the preferred intervention for all except those patients at high risk for relapse.