Comparison of guideline recommendations with daily practice in patients with renal cell carcinoma

• Main Authors: Schlenker B, Seitz M, Bader MJ, Ganzer R, Tilki D, Bayrle F, Reich O, Staehler M, Bachmann A, Stief CG, Gratzke C
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: BMC 2010-06-01
• Series: European Journal of Medical Research
• Subjects: renal cell carcinoma; oncological follow-up; open radical nephrectomy; nephron-sparing surgery
• Online Access: http://www.eurjmedres.com/content/15/6/253

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Objectives and Aims</p> <p>To compare guideline recommendations with daily practice patterns in a German patient cohort with renal cell carcinoma.</p> <p>Patients and methods</p> <p>81 patients with T1 oder T2 renal cell carcinoma (RCC) were included in this prospective single-center study. All patients were operated in a single institution either by open radical nephrectomy (ORN) or nephron sparing surgery (NSS). Patients and doctors were evaluated using a written questionnaire with a follow-up of 12 months. Follow-up intervals, follow-up modalities (e. g. imaging modalities, laboratory controls of blood and urine) and the call on psycho-oncological support were evaluated.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The majority of patients (72%) were followed up by their urologists. Follow-up examinations included abdominal ultrasound, urine and blood diagnostics, conventional chest x-rays, computed tomography (CT) of abdomen, chest or head or abdominal Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). There were no significant differences between patients operated by ORN or NSS. In total, 12.5% of patients were asking for psycho-oncological support.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>In general, patients were followed up according to existing guideline recommendations. Only a small proportion of patients asked for psycho-oncological treatment.</p>