Patterns of care in patients with muscle-invasive bladder cancer - a retrospective cohort study.

A potential reason for poor survival among patients with muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC) in Poland is initial disqualification from curative treatment due to advanced stage of the disease or low performance status. The aim of this study was to describe patterns of care in patients with newly diagnosed MIBC. This is a multicentre retrospective cohort study involving 296 consecutive patients with primary histologically diagnosed MIBC. Therapeutic decisions and potentially underlying clinical factors were analysed. Full clinical data was available for 285 patients. One hundred and sixty-four (57.5%) patients were qualified for radical cystectomy (RC), 32 (11.2%) patients for a second step of transurethral resection of the bladder tumour (TURBT) intentionally followed by systemic chemotherapy, four (1.4%) patients after complete TURBT were qualified for adjuvant intravesical chemotherapy only, while the remaining 85 (29.8%) patients were qualified for palliative treatment in the form of chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy and/or best supportive care. Patients disqualified from curative treatment were older (78 vs. 69 years, p < 0.02), had lower BMI values (24.5 vs. 25.7 kg/m(2), p < 0.02), lower haemoglobin concentration (11.6 vs. 12.9 mg/l, p < 0.02), declared lower rate of nicotine abuse (50.5% vs. 72.1%, p < 0.02), and had a shorter time interval between first symptom and diagnosis (30 vs. 60 days, p = 0.02). As the majority of Polish patients with primary MIBC receive curative treatment, the stage of the disease alone seems not to be the leading cause of poor survival. However, appropriateness of qualification for RC and treatment quality needs to be assessed for final conclusion on the factors influencing outcomes of treatment in Poland.

A multi-institutional study of 1,111 men with 4K score, multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging, and prostate biopsy.

OBJECTIVE: Prostate magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and biomarkers are often used in conjunction to enhance the selection process for prostate biopsy. However, the optimal sequence of ordering these tests has not been established. A comprehensive evaluation was conducted on a large multi-institutional cohort of patients who underwent MRI, 4K score, and biopsy of the prostate to examine the impact of utilizing both tests vs. either test alone and to determine if the order in which these tests are administered affects the ability to detect clinically significant prostate cancer (csCaP). METHODS AND MATERIALS: We evaluated men from 8 different institutions who were referred for prostate cancer evaluation and underwent MRI, 4K score test, and prostate biopsy. The primary outcome was the presence of csCaP, defined as grade group 2 or higher cancer on a biopsy of the prostate. We used logistic regression, calibration plots, and decision curve analysis to evaluate using a 4K score or MRI alone vs. both tests together for detecting csCaP. In addition, we evaluated several strategies using one or both tests for selecting men for biopsy and compared them based on the proportion of biopsies avoided and the csCaP's missed. RESULTS: Among the 1,111 men who formed the final cohort, 553 (49.8%) had prostate cancer, and 353 (31.8%) had csCaP. We found that using MRI and 4K score together had better discrimination, calibration, and a higher clinical utility on decision curve analysis compared to using either test individually. Using both tests together resulted in fewer biopsies avoided and missed cancers compared to using either test alone. Strategies that sequence MRI and 4K score tests resulted in the largest biopsy reduction, with no appreciable difference between starting with an MRI vs. a biomarker. CONCLUSIONS: We found that using both an MRI and 4K score together was superior to using either test alone but found no appreciable difference between starting with an MRI vs. starting with a 4K score. Prospective studies are needed to identify the best strategy to sequence MRI and biomarkers in the evaluation of csCaP.

Optimum threshold of the 4Kscore for biopsy in men with negative or indeterminate multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging.

Objective: The study aims to identify the optimal 4Kscore thresholds to determine the need for a prostate biopsy when multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) (mpMRI) is negative or indeterminate. Materials and methods: We analysed retrospective data from men in eight different institutions who underwent an mpMRI, 4Kscore and prostate biopsy for evaluation of prostate cancer. We selected men with a negative (PIRADS ≤2) or indeterminate (PIRADS 3) mpMRI. 4Kscore values were categorized into ranges of 1-7, 8-19, 20-32 and greater than 32. We evaluated the proportion of men with grade group 2 or higher (GG2+) cancer in groups defined by PIRADS and 4Kscore. We also evaluated the number of biopsies avoided and GG2+ cancer missed in each group reported depend on 4Kscore cutoff points. Results: Among 1111 men who had an mpMRI, 4Kscore and biopsy, 625 of them had PIRADS ≤3 on mpMRI: 374 negative (PIRADS ≤2) and 251 indeterminate (PIRADS 3). In men with a negative mpMRI, we found a 4Kscore cut-point of 33 resulted in an increased risk of GG2+ cancer on biopsy. In patients with an equivocal lesion on mpMRI, men with a 4Kscore cutoff ≥8 had a greater risk of GG2+ cancer on biopsy. Decision curve analysis supported the proposed cut-points in each mpMRI group. Conclusions: In men with negative and indeterminate mpMRI, we found the best 4Kscore threshold to determine the need for biopsy to be 33 and 8 respectively. Future prospective studies in independent populations are needed to confirm these findings.

Navigating the Next Wave of Social Media: Future Plans to Boost Dissemination of the European Association of Urology Guidelines.

The uptake and utilisation of social media (SoMe) in medicine are rapidly increasing, and several new platforms and media have come to the forefront in recent times. The European Association of Urology Guidelines Office Dissemination Committee is at the forefront of this evolution and has a multifaceted strategy with content on appropriate use of SoMe that includes a new guidelines chapter, cheat sheets to present existing guidelines, precision SoMe content, social audio, and greater patient advocacy in its content and dissemination.

Dissemination of the European Association of Urology Guidelines Through Social Media: Strategy, Results, and Future Developments.

Over the past decade, social media (SoMe) platforms have been embraced by the medical community across all specialties. This engagement creates a valuable opportunity for scientific organizations to use the broad reach, accessibility, functionality, and informal environment of SoMe to raise awareness, reinforce trust with stakeholders, and disseminate scientific information. In this field, the European Association of Urology (EAU) Guidelines Office has been a pioneer and has constantly set out to disseminate the recommendations established annually by its guidelines panels. Here we describe the dissemination strategy used by the EAU Guidelines Office and the results obtained in the past few years. The EAU Guidelines Office proposes various types of content to disseminate on the different SoMe platforms. An ad hoc dissemination committee adapts attractive content for different target audiences to fit the specific requirements of the platforms on which it is published. Over the past 5 yr, the dissemination committee has been able to constantly improve the engagement of different audiences, especially using Twitter, Facebook, and, more recently, Instagram. It has been shown that use of a multifaceted strategy to improve dissemination of the guidelines, such as campaigns for awareness days, is successful. PATIENT SUMMARY: We describe the strategy used by the European Association of Urology Guidelines Office to disseminate recommendations from the association's guidelines to different target audiences via social media and we summarize the main results.

A Systematic Review of the Use of Social Media for Dissemination of Clinical Practice Guidelines.

CONTEXT: Clinical practice guideline (CPG) uptake does not occur spontaneously and requires active implementation, especially for long-term implementation. Social media (SoMe) with its power of rapid and global information exchange among physicians, patients, organizations, and stakeholders in the medical field can open up unprecedented opportunities for CPG dissemination. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this review was to assess the current use of SoMe in CPG dissemination across different medical specialties. EVIDENCE ACQUISITION: A systematic review (SR) of the literature was conducted using Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Medline, Embase, and Cochrane databases and the general platform Google were searched for all relevant publications (no limitation for publication time and no language restrictions). The search revealed 1881 citations; following title and abstract review, 22 studies were identified; and five studies were finally included after full-text review. EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS: All included studies were published in the past 5 yr; there was a significant improvement in knowledge, awareness, compliance, and positive behavior toward CPGs with the use of SoMe dissemination compared with traditional methods. A large audience (healthcare professionals and patients) viewed and engaged with the SoMe process of CPG dissemination, and expressed an intent to engage in this method in the future. The studies included in the SR reported variable methods of SoMe use and similarly variable methods of analyzing the outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Owing to the recent application of SoMe in the context of CPG dissemination, there is no standardized format for its use, and the data available are variable and limited. However, encouraging preliminary results have been reported using SoMe for CPG dissemination in multiple fields, and we have provided a pragmatic method of SoMe usage in CPG dissemination based on the review. It is vital to ensure a uniform method of application and assessment of SoMe use in CPG dissemination and implementation going forward. PATIENT SUMMARY: Social media (SoMe) plays an important role in rapid and global information exchange among physicians, patients, organizations, and stakeholders in the medical field, and its power can be harnessed in the dissemination of evidence-based clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) that guide clinicians in practice. Our review reveals that SoMe use for CPG dissemination is a relatively new concept published approximately 5 yr ago, and it has led to significant improvement in knowledge, awareness, compliance, and positive behavior with respect to the CPGs compared with traditional methods. A large audience (healthcare professionals and patients) viewed and engaged with the SoMe process. We have produced a pragmatic method of using SoMe in CPG dissemination. Considering the importance of CPGs in practice and the ever increasing role of SoMe in the medical profession, a new role for SoMe in CPG dissemination could be established.

Dissemination of Misinformative and Biased Information about Prostate Cancer on YouTube.

YouTube is a social media platform with more than 1 billion users and >600000 videos about prostate cancer. Two small studies examined the quality of prostate cancer videos on YouTube, but did not use validated instruments, examine user interactions, or characterize the spread of misinformation. We performed the largest, most comprehensive examination of prostate cancer information on YouTube to date, including the first 150 videos on screening and treatment. We used the validated DISCERN quality criteria for consumer health information and the Patient Education Materials Assessment Tool, and compared results for user engagement. The videos in our sample had up to 1.3 million views (average 45223) and the overall quality of information was moderate. More videos described benefits (75%) than harms (53%), and only 50% promoted shared decision-making as recommended in current guidelines. Only 54% of the videos defined medical terms and few provided summaries or references. There was a significant negative correlation between scientific quality and viewer engagement (views/month p=0.004; thumbs up/views p=0.015). The comments section underneath some videos contained advertising and peer-to-peer medical advice. A total of 115 videos (77%) contained potentially misinformative and/or biased content within the video or comments section, with a total reach of >6 million viewers. PATIENT SUMMARY: Many popular YouTube videos about prostate cancer contained biased or poor-quality information. A greater number of views and thumbs up on YouTube does not mean that the information is trustworthy.

Extent of lymphadenectomy in patients with bladder cancer undergoing radical cystectomy - a multi-institutional analysis.

Lymph node dissection (LND) performed at radical cystectomy (RC) has therapeutic and staging significance. However, the extent of LND remains controversial. The aim of this study was to analyze surgical patterns and results of LND in a contemporary series of patients with bladder cancer. This is a retrospective analysis of 113 consecutive patients subjected to RC in seven urological centres in the year 2013. The mean age of the cohort was 66.6 years. There were 49 cases of organ confined and 64 cases of locally advanced disease. Study endpoints were: status and extent of LND, number of LNs removed, and number of positive LNs. LND was performed in 102 patients (90.3%). Detailed data on the anatomical extent of LND was available in 82 patients (80.4%). Limited (lLND) and extended LND (eLND) was performed in 68.3% (n = 56) and 31.7% (n = 26) of patients, respectively. Obturator fossa LNs were removed in 84.1%, external iliac in 72.0%, internal iliac in 40.2%, common iliac in 31.7%, and presacral in 15.9% of cases. The median number of LNs removed in the whole study cohort, in patients who underwent lLND, and eLND, was 8.5, 5, and 16.5, respectively. In 28 patients (27.5%), LN metastases were diagnosed, including 6 cases (12.5%) in the organ-confined cohort and 22 cases (34.4%) in the locally advanced disease cohort. LND is an integral part of radical cystectomy in patients with bladder cancer. However, in the majority of patients, the extent of the procedure was suboptimal, potentially negatively affecting the survival and adequacy of pathological staging.