Similar Patient-Reported Outcomes (PROs) at diagnosis for localized prostate cancer among countries may indicate that different treatments are recommended to the same profile of patients, regardless the context characteristics (health systems, medical schools, culture, preferences…). The aim of this study was to assess such comparison.We analyzed the EPIC-26 results before the primary treatment of men diagnosed of localized prostate cancer from January 2017 onwards (revised data available up to September 2019), from a multicenter prospective international cohort including seven regions: Australia/New Zealand, Canada, Central Europe (Austria / Czech Republic / Germany), United Kingdom, Italy, Spain, and the United States. The EPIC-26 domain scores and pattern of three selected items were compared across regions (with Central Europe as reference). All comparisons were made stratifying by treatment: radical prostatectomy, external radiotherapy, brachytherapy, and active surveillance.The sample included a total of 13,483 men with clinically localized or locally advanced prostate cancer. PROs showed different domain patterns before treatment across countries. The sexual domain was the most impaired, and the one with the highest dispersion within countries and with the greatest medians' differences across countries. The urinary incontinence domain, together with the bowel and hormonal domains, presented the highest scores (better outcomes) for all treatment groups, and homogeneity across regions.Patients with localized or locally advanced prostate cancer undergoing radical prostatectomy, EBRT, brachytherapy, or active surveillance presented mainly negligible or small differences in the EPIC-26 domains before treatment across countries. The results on urinary incontinence or bowel domains, in which almost all patients presented the best possible score, may downplay the baseline data role for evaluating treatments' effects. However, the heterogeneity within countries and the magnitude of the differences found across countries in other domains, especially sexual, support the need of implementing the PRO measurement from diagnosis.
Introduction Laparoscopic nephrectomy (LN) is the most performed laparoscopic procedure by urologic residents (Res).A large amount of data exists on laparoscopic nephrectomies in terms of safety and surgical outcomes, but only a little is known about the influence of residents.The purpose of this study was to evaluate this influence on the clinical outcome of a laparoscopic nephrectomy.Material and methods Retrospectively, patients who had undergone a LN between 2010 and 2018 were assessed.Data included patient demographics, date of surgery, pre-and postoperative results and complications.The patients who had undergone a LN were divided into two groups: one where residents were involved and another group where only a staff surgeon (Sur) performed the operation.All training residents had a questionnaire sent to them to evaluate their role during the LN.Results A total of 229 patients met the study criteria, of which 78 patients were operated together with a resident and 151 by a staff surgeon alone.Both groups were homogeneous in terms of age, comorbidities, left/right sided LN and tumor-stage.Between these two groups, no significant differences were observed in median estimated blood loss (Res 87 ml vs. Sur 100 ml), intraoperative adverse events (Res 10.3% vs. Sur 6% p = 0.24), conversion to open surgery (Res 6.4% vs. Sur 6%) and high-grade postoperative complications (Res 3.9% vs. Sur 4.6%).However, when a resident participated, the LN lasted on average 20 minutes longer (Res mean 130 min vs.Sur 110 min p ≤0.001).Conclusions Our data shows that involvement of a resident in laparoscopic nephrectomy has no effect on the clinical outcome.Therefore, it is safe to perform a laparoscopic nephrectomy together with a resident, but it is important to take the additional surgical time into account.
Abstract Objective To assess the degree of openness of communication about illness and death between patients with advanced cancer and their relatives during the last three months of the patient’s life, and its association with relatives’ characteristics and bereavement distress. Methods We used data from bereaved relatives of patients with advanced cancer from the prospective, longitudinal, multicenter, observational eQuipe study. Univariate and multivariable linear regression analyses were used to assess the association between the degree of openness of communication (measured using the validated Caregivers’ Communication with patients about Illness and Death scale), the a priori defined characteristics of the relatives, and the degree of bereavement distress (measured using the Impact of Event Scale). Results A total of 160 bereaved relatives were included in the analysis. The average degree of open communication about illness and death between patients with advanced cancer and their relatives was 3.86 on a scale of 1 to 5 ( SE =0.08). A higher degree of open communication was associated with a lower degree of bereavement distress ( p =0.003). No associations were found between the degree of open communication and the relatives’ age ( p =0.745), gender ( p =0.196), level of education ( p >0.773), (religious) worldview ( p =0.435), type of relationship with the patient ( p >0.548), or level of emotional functioning before the patient’s death ( p =0.075). Conclusions Open communication about illness and death between patients and relatives seems to be important, as it is associated with a lower degree of bereavement distress. Healthcare professionals can play an important role in encouraging the dialogue. However, it is important to keep in mind that some people not feel comfortable talking about illness and death.
Abstract Background Palliative care is becoming increasingly important because the number of patients with an incurable disease is growing and their survival is improving. Previous research tells us that early palliative care has the potential to improve quality of life (QoL) in patients with advanced cancer and their relatives. According to limited research on palliative care in the Netherlands, patients with advanced cancer and their relatives find current palliative care suboptimal. The aim of the eQuiPe study is to understand the experienced quality of care (QoC) and QoL of patients with advanced cancer and their relatives to further improve palliative care. Methods A prospective longitudinal observational cohort study is conducted among patients with advanced cancer and their relatives. Patients and relatives receive a questionnaire every 3 months regarding experienced QoC and QoL during the palliative trajectory. Bereaved relatives receive a final questionnaire 3 to 6 months after the patients’ death. Data from questionnaires are linked with detailed clinical data from the Netherlands Cancer Registry (NCR). By means of descriptive statistics we will examine the experienced QoC and QoL in our study population. Differences between subgroups and changes over time will be assessed while adjusting for confounding factors. Discussion This study will be the first to prospectively and longitudinally explore experienced QoC and QoL in patients with advanced cancer and their relatives simultaneously. This study will provide us with population-based information in patients with advanced cancer and their relatives including changes over time. Results from the study will inform us on how to further improve palliative care. Trial registration Trial NL6408 ( NTR6584 ). Registered in Netherlands Trial Register on June 30, 2017.
Objectives: To test the technique and feasibility of translating tumor suspicious region maps in the prostate, obtained by multimodality, anatomic, and functional 3T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data to 32-channel coil, T2-weighted (T2-w), 3T MR images, for directing MR-guided biopsies. Furthermore, to evaluate the practicability of MR-guided biopsy on a 3T MR scanner using a 32-channel coil and a MR-compatible biopsy device. Materials and Methods: Twenty-one patients with a high prostate-specific antigen (>4.0 ng/mL) and at least 2 prior negative transrectal ultrasound-guided biopsies of the prostate underwent an endorectal coil 3T MRI, which included T2-w, diffusion weighted and dynamic contrast enhanced MRI. From these multimodality images, tumor suspicious regions (TSR) were determined. The 3D localization of these TSRs within the prostatic gland was translated to the T2-w MR images of a subsequent 32-channel coil 3T MRI. These were then biopsied under 3T MR guidance. Results: In all patients, TSRs could be identified and accurately translated to subsequent 3T MR images and biopsied under MR guidance. Median MR biopsy procedure time was 35 minutes. Of the 21 patients, 8 (38%) were diagnosed with prostate cancer, 6 (29%) had evidence of prostatitis, 6 (29%) had combined inflammatory and atrophic changes, and only 1 (5%) patient had no identifiable pathology. Conclusions: Multimodality, 3T MRI determined TSRs could effectively be translated to T2-weighted images, to be used for MR biopsies. 3T MR-guided biopsy based on these translated TSRs was feasible, performed in a clinical useful time, and resulted in a high number of positive results.
Compared to open surgery, minimal invasive surgery offers reduced trauma and faster recovery. However, lack of direct view limits space perception. Stereo-endoscopy improves depth perception, but is still restricted to the direct endoscopic field-of-view. We describe a novel technology that reconstructs 3D-panoramas from endoscopic video streams providing a much wider cumulative overview. The method is compatible with any endoscope. We demonstrate that it is possible to generate photorealistic 3D-environments from mono- and stereoscopic endoscopy. The resulting 3D-reconstructions can be directly applied in simulators and e-learning. Extended to real-time processing, the method looks promising for telesurgery or other remote vision-guided tasks.
To assess the outcomes of pre-biopsy magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) pathways, as a tool in biopsy-naïve men with suspicion of prostate cancer, in routine clinical practice. Secondary outcomes included a comparison of transrectal MRI-directed biopsy (TR-MRDB) and transperineal (TP)-MRDB in men with suspicious MRI.We retrospectively assessed a two-centre cohort of consecutive biopsy-naïve men with suspicion of prostate cancer who underwent a Prostate Imaging-Reporting and Data System version 2 (PI-RADS v2) compliant pre-biopsy MRI in a single, high-volume centre between 2015 and 2019 (Centre 1). Men with suspicious MRI scans underwent TR-MRDB in Centre 1 and TP-MRDB with additional random biopsies (RB) in Centre 2. The MRI and histopathology were assessed in the same institution (Centre 1). Outcomes included: (i) overall detection rates of Grade Group (GG) 1, GG ≥2, and GG ≥3 cancer in men with suspicious MRI; (ii) Biopsy-avoidance due to non-suspicious MRI; and (iii) Cancer detection rates and biopsy-related complications between TR- and TP-MRDB. To reduce confounding bias for MRDB comparisons, inverse probability weighting (IPW) was performed for age, digital rectal examination, prostate-specific antigen (PSA), prostate volume, PSA density, and PI-RADS category.Of the 2597 men included, the overall GG 1, GG ≥2, and GG ≥3 prevalence was 8% (210/2597), 27% (697/2597), and 15% (396/2597), respectively. Biopsy was avoided in 57% (1488/2597) of men. After IPW, the GG 1, GG ≥2 and GG ≥3 detection rates after TR- and TP-MRDB were comparable at 24%, 57%, and 32%; and 18%, 64%, and 38%, respectively; with mean differences of -5.7% (95% confidence interval [CI] -13% to 1.4%), 6.1% (95% CI -2.1% to 14%), and 5.7% (95% CI -1.7% to 13%). Complications were similar in TR-MRDB (0.50%) and TP-MRDB with RB (0.62%; mean difference 0.11%, 95% CI -0.87% to 1.1%).This high-volume, two-centre study shows pre-biopsy MRI as a decision tool is implementable in daily clinical practice. Compared to recent trials, a substantially higher biopsy avoidance rate was achieved without compromising GG ≥2/GG ≥3 detection and coinciding with lower over detection rates of GG 1 cancer. Prostate cancer detection and complication rates were comparable for TR- and TP-MRDB.
Radium-223 is a registered treatment option for symptomatic bone metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC). Aim of this multicenter, prospective observational cohort study was to evaluate health-related quality of life (HR-QoL), psychological distress and fatigue in mCRPC patients treated with radium-223.Primary endpoint was cancer-specific and bone metastases-related HR-QoL, as measured by the EORTC QLQ-C30 and BM-22 questionnaires. Secondary endpoints were psychological distress and fatigue, evaluated by the HADS and CIS-Fatigue questionnaires. Outcomes were analyzed for the total cohort and between subgroups (1-3 versus 4-5 versus 6 radium-223 injections). A trajectory analysis was performed to explore HR-QoL patterns over time.In total, 122 patients were included for analysis. Baseline HR-QoL, pain intensity, psychological distress and fatigue were worse in patients who did not complete radium-223 therapy. In patients who completed therapy, stabilization of HR-QoL was perceived and psychological distress and fatigue remained stable, whereas clinically meaningful and statistically significant deterioration of HR-QoL, psychological distress and fatigue over time was observed in patients who discontinued radium-223 therapy. Trajectory analysis revealed that HR-QoL deterioration over time was more likely in patients with baseline opioid use, low hemoglobin and high alkaline phosphatase levels.Patients who discontinued radium-223 therapy showed worse HR-QoL, psychological distress and fatigue at baseline and more frequent deterioration of HR-QoL, psychological distress and fatigue over time when compared to patients who completed therapy. Specific attention with regard to HR-QoL during follow-up is indicated in patients with opioid use, low hemoglobin and high alkaline phosphatase levels before radium-223 therapy initiation.NCT04995614.
