Stage I testicular cancer: Five-year follow-up rates and reasons for non-adherence.

Authors

null

Tim Karmas

Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada

Tim Karmas , Patrick Holland , Kara Matheson , Lori Wood

Organizations

Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada, Department of Medicine, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada, Research Methods Unit, Nova Scotia Health Authority, Halifax, NS, Canada, Queen Elizabeth II Health Sciences Centre, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada

Research Funding

No funding received

Background: For stage I testicular cancer patients, active surveillance or follow up (f/u) post treatment is an integral part of quality care. Most guidelines recommend a minimum of 5 years of f/u however, it is known that a significant proportion of patients do not meet this milestone. The goal of this project was to determine what proportion of patients did not undergo ≥ 5 years of f/u in Nova Scotia (NS) and to document the reasons why. This would allow one to develop strategies to improve compliance and quality care. Methods: A review of all patients from NS diagnosed with testicular cancer between 2006-2015 was conducted. REB approval was obtained. Data from the provincial registry and electronic medical records was used to determine date of diagnosis, relapse/death, and f/u dates. Complete f/u was defined as: a patient having tumor markers, imaging studies, and/or clinical documentation ≥ 5 after initial diagnosis or relapse. The adequacy of f/u investigations was not recorded. If follow up was < 5 years, the reason for this was recorded. Results: In this cohort, 151 patients had stage I testicular cancer; 108 with seminoma (75% on surveillance) and 43 with nonseminoma (93% on surveillance). The median age was: 35.8 years. 48 pts (31.8%) were not seen at a cancer center (until relapse in 5 pts). Excluding 2 pts who died of unrelated causes, 44 patients (29.5%) had < 5 years f/u in NS. The most common reasons were: moved or probably moved in 17 (38.6%) and patient compliance/missing ≥2 appointments in 10 (22.7%). Modifiable reasons for incomplete f/u include: discharged too early from the cancer center in 3 patients, f/u never arranged post orchiectomy in 2 patients, and care transferred to primary care which did not occur in 1 patient. 22 patients relapsed: 3 in patients with lack of ≥ 5 years of f/u causing excess morbidity in 1 case. No patients died of testicular cancer. Conclusions: The majority of men with stage I testicular cancer had ≥ 5 years of f/u in NS as recommended by guidelines. However, 30% did not, with the most common reason being that the patient moved in 39% (where they may or may not have had f/u) and noncompliance in 23%. This study reinforces the need to have a seamless transition of care for this young, mobile patient population and easy, automated, regular appointment reminders. These results have led us to explore the creation of a phone-based app to improve follow up care and transition of care.

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Abstract Details

Meeting

2022 ASCO Genitourinary Cancers Symposium

Session Type

Poster Session

Session Title

Poster Session C: Renal Cell Cancer; Adrenal, Penile, Urethral, and Testicular Cancers

Track

Renal Cell Cancer,Adrenal Cancer,Penile Cancer,Testicular Cancer,Urethral Cancer

Sub Track

Quality of Care/Quality Improvement and Real-World Evidence

Citation

J Clin Oncol 40, 2022 (suppl 6; abstr 412)

DOI

10.1200/JCO.2022.40.6_suppl.412

Abstract #

412

Poster Bd #

L12

Abstract Disclosures

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