The effect of a Rapid Access Prostate Cancer Clinic on prostate cancer patient and disease characteristics, primary treatment and surgical workload

Oncological Outcomes of Open Radical Retropubic Prostatectomy in Ireland: A Single Surgeon's 5-Year Experience

Objectives  There is a little published data on the outcomes of radical prostatectomy in the Irish context. We aimed to determine the 5-year oncological results of open radical retropubic prostatectomy (RRP) performed by a single surgeon following appointment. Methods  A retrospective review of RRPs performed between 2011 and 2016 was conducted. Patient demographics, preoperative parameters (clinical stage on digital rectal exam, prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels, biopsy Gleason's score and MRI [magnetic resonance imaging] findings), pathological variables (T-stage, Gleason's score, nodal status, and surgical margin status), and treatment decisions (lymphadenectomy or adjuvant radiotherapy) were recorded. Oncological outcome at last follow-up was ascertained. Results  265 patients underwent RRP between 2011 and 2016. Median age was 62 years (range: 41-74). Mean follow-up was 32.24 months (range: 8-72) months. Pathological disease stage was T2 in 170/265 (64.15%), T3a in 65/265 (24.53%), and T3b in 30/265 (11.32%). Final Gleason's score was upgraded from diagnostic biopsy in 16.35% (43/263) and downgraded in 27% (71/263). Pelvic lymph node dissection was performed in 44.25% (118/265) patients. A positive surgical margin (PSM) was seen in 26/170 (15.2%) patients with T2 disease and in 45/95 (47.37%) patients with T3 disease. Of the 265 patients, 238 (89.81%) were disease-free at last follow-up, of whom 24/238 (10.08%) had received adjuvant and 17/238 (7.14%) received salvage radiotherapy. Adjuvant/salvage treatment was ongoing in 19/265 (7.17%) of patients. Conclusion  Good oncological outcomes of RRP in the Irish context are seen in this 5-year review, with the vast majority of patients experiencing biochemical-free survival at most recent follow-up.

How do the characteristics of breast cancer diagnostic assessment programmes influence service delivery: A mixed methods study

Diagnostic assessment programmes (DAPs) coordinate multidisciplinary teamwork (MDT), and improve wait times and patient satisfaction. No research has established optimal DAP design. This study explored how DAP characteristics influence service delivery. A mixed methods case study of four breast cancer DAPs was conducted including qualitative interviews with health-care providers and retrospective chart review. Data were integrated using multiple approaches. Twenty-three providers were interviewed; 411 medical records were reviewed. The number of visits and wait times from referral to diagnosis and consultation were lowest at a one-stop model. DAP characteristics (rural-remote region, human resources, referral volume, organisation of services, adherence to service delivery targets and one-stop model) may influence service delivery (number of visits, wait times). MDT, influenced by other DAP characteristics (co-location of staff, patient navigators, team functioning), may also influence service delivery. While the one-stop model may be ideal, all sites experienced similar and unique challenges. Further research is needed to understand how to optimise the organisation and delivery of DAP services. Measures reflecting individual, team and patient-reported outcomes should be used to assess the effectiveness and impact of DAPs in addition to more traditional measures such as wait times.

The effect of Rapid Access Prostate Clinics on the outcomes of Gleason 7 prostate cancer: does earlier diagnosis lead to better outcomes?

INTRODUCTION

Rapid Access Prostate Clinics (RAPC) were introduced in Ireland by the National Cancer Control Programme bringing about expedited referral pathways and increased detection rates of prostate cancer. Lower Gleason (G) grade at diagnosis due to RAPC has been previously reported but grade at prostatectomy has not been assessed. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of RAPC on the outcomes of patients with G7 disease on radical prostatectomy (RP).

METHODS

A retrospective analysis was carried out of all RPs performed over a 9-year period (2006-2014). Outcomes for G7 prostatectomies were compared before and after the introduction of the RAPC, with a further sub-analysis of G4 + 3 versus G3 + 4. The primary outcome was biochemical recurrence (BCR). Other outcomes were adjuvant/salvage radiotherapy, extra prostatic extension, positive surgical margins, seminal vesicle involvement and tumour stage.

RESULTS

In total, 240 RPs were performed with 167 cases graded G7 (70 graded G4 + 3 and 97 graded G3 + 4). Since the introduction of RAPC the proportion of G4 + 3 compared to G3 + 4 has increased from 37.9 to 42%. There was no statistical difference in outcomes for G4 + 3 treated before and after the introduction of RAPC. G4 + 3 was associated with higher rates of BCR (24.4 vs. 0%, p < 0.0001, radiotherapy (41.1 vs. 4.8%, p < 0.0001) and worse histological features than G3 + 4.

CONCLUSION

Despite the benefits in diagnosis of prostate cancer brought about by RAPC in Ireland, this has not translated to a lower grade for surgically treated patients. There has been no improvement in outcomes especially for higher grade G4 + 3 disease.