Implementing risk-aligned bladder cancer surveillance care

Clinical impact of the intensity of follow-up cystoscopy in patients with high-risk non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer

PURPOSE

There is significant lack on evidence regarding the effect of non-adherence to a recommended protocol in follow-up of high-risk non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC), or the impact of delaying detection of recurrent lesion. Here, we aimed to investigate the optimal frequency of follow-up cystoscopy of high-risk NMIBC with respect to oncological safety in the Japanese real-world clinical practice.

METHODS

This retrospective single-center study included 206 patients with primary high-risk NMIBC. The intensity (%) of follow-up cystoscopy was calculated based on actual visits for cystoscopy and guideline-recommended frequency in the first 24-month follow-up period. Inverse probability of treatment weighting analyses was used to reduce the risk of bias between groups. We performed a restricted cubic spline analysis with knots at intensity of follow-up cystoscopy ≤ 100% group to examine the possible association of progression risk with the intensity of follow-up as a continuous exposure.

RESULTS

The median intensity was 87.5% (interquartile range, 75-100). Adjusted multivariate analysis for MIBC-free and progression-free survival demonstrated no significant difference between adjusted ≤ 75% and > 75% intensity groups. A restricted cubic spline analysis suggested no significant effect of the intensity of follow-up on progression risk, and hazard ratios of patients of < 100% intensity were equivalent to those of patients of 100% intensity.

CONCLUSION

Our finding suggested decreased intensity of follow-up cystoscopy did not affect oncological outcomes in patients with high-risk NMIBC. Further prospective trials directly aimed at investigating optimized follow-up schedules for NMIBC are mandatory before substantial changes to existing clinical guidelines.

Using electronic health records to streamline provider recruitment for implementation science studies

Background

Healthcare providers are often targeted as research participants, especially for implementation science studies evaluating provider- or system-level issues. Frequently, provider eligibility is based on both provider and patient factors. Manual chart review and self-report are common provider screening strategies but require substantial time, effort, and resources. The automated use of electronic health record (EHR) data may streamline provider identification for implementation science research. Here, we describe an approach to provider screening for a Veterans Health Administration (VHA)-funded study focused on implementing risk-aligned surveillance for bladder cancer patients.

Methods

Our goal was to identify providers at 6 pre-specified facilities who performed ≥10 surveillance cystoscopy procedures among bladder cancer patients in the 12 months prior to recruitment start on January 16, 2020, and who were currently practicing at 1 of 6 pre-specified facilities. Using VHA EHR data (using CPT, ICD10 procedure, and ICD10 diagnosis codes), we identified cystoscopy procedures performed after an initial bladder cancer diagnosis (i.e., surveillance procedures). Procedures were linked to VHA staff data to determine the provider of record, the number of cystoscopies they performed, and their current location of practice. To validate this approach, we performed a chart review of 105 procedures performed by a random sample of identified providers. The proportion of correctly identified procedures was calculated (Positive Predictive Value (PPV)), along with binomial 95% confidence intervals (CI).

Findings

We identified 1,917,856 cystoscopies performed on 703,324 patients from October 1, 1999—January 16, 2020, across the nationwide VHA. Of those procedures, 40% were done on patients who had a prior record of bladder cancer and were completed by 15,065 distinct providers. Of those, 61 performed ≥ 10 procedures and were currently practicing at 1 of the 6 facilities of interest in the 1 year prior to study recruitment. The random chart review of 7 providers found 101 of 105 procedures (PPV: 96%; 95% CI: 91% to 99%) were surveillance procedures and were performed by the selected provider on the recorded date.

Implications

These results show that EHR data can be used for accurate identification of healthcare providers as research participants when inclusion criteria consist of both patient- (temporal relationship between diagnosis and procedure) and provider-level (frequency of procedure and location of current practice) factors. As administrative codes and provider identifiers are collected in most, if not all, EHRs for billing purposes this approach can be translated from provider recruitment in VHA to other healthcare systems. Implementation studies should consider this method of screening providers.

The Development of Non-Invasive Diagnostic Tools in Bladder Cancer

Bladder cancer is a common urinary tract cancer with a difficult clinical course. With frequent recurrence, patients with a history of bladder cancer often undergo surveillance that involves invasive cystoscopies and biopsies. Not only is this financially burdensome for patients but it is also mentally and physically intensive. Given this predicament, the field has shifted towards the use of non-invasive urinary tests to detect bladder cancer earlier in the disease course and to avoid unnecessary procedures. The first non-invasive test developed was urine cytology; however, that was found to have a low sensitivity, especially for low-grade lesions. There are many tests that are available that utilize common protein biomarkers to enhance the sensitivity of detection. However, many of these tests lack the specificity seen with cytology. With recent technological and research advancements, there are newer detection systems such as RNA sequencing and microfluidics along with novel bladder cancer biomarkers including mRNAs, methylation patterns and exosomes, which have potential to be used in clinical practice. The aim of this review is to highlight established non-invasive bladder cancer diagnostic tests as well as innovative methodologies that are on the horizon for use in bladder cancer detection.

Diagnostic performance of the Bladder EpiCheck methylation test and photodynamic diagnosis-guided cystoscopy in the surveillance of high-risk non-muscle invasive bladder cancer: A single centre, prospective, blinded clinical trial

PURPOSE

Currently, bladder cancer (BC) surveillance consists of periodic white light cystoscopy and urinary cytology (UC). However, both diagnostic tools have limitations. Therefore, to improve the management of recurrent BC, novel, innovative diagnostic tests are needed. The primary aim of this study was to determine the diagnostic performance of Bladder EpiCheck (BE) and photodynamic diagnosis (PDD) guided cystoscopy in the surveillance of high-risk BC. A secondary aim was to compare Bladder EpiCheck (BE) and PDD-guided cystoscopy findings with whose of UC to design a diagnostic algorithm that facilitates clinical decision making. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This was a prospective, blinded, single-arm, single-visit cohort study. All patients were under surveillance for high-risk non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer, and underwent cystoscopy with PDD and a BE test. Those who received a histological diagnosis were used as a reference population. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was performed to evaluate the diagnostic performance of BE, PDD-guided cystoscopy, and UC for identifying biopsy-confirmed BC lesions. The diagnostic power of the test was assessed by determining the area under the curve (AUC).

RESULTS

Forty patients were enrolled. For BE, the AUC was 0.95, and BC recurrence was detected at a sensitivity of 100% and specificity of 90.9%. For PDD, the AUC was 0.51, with a sensitivity and specificity of 61% and 41%, respectively. BE was combined with UC to create a decision-making algorithm capable of reducing the number of follow-up cystoscopies needed.

CONCLUSION

BE is a very accurate diagnostic tool that has the potential to be useful in the surveillance of high-risk BC patients. Especially when combined with UC, it may be used to reduce the number of cystoscopies needed throughout follow-up. Conversely, the use of PDD as a diagnostic tool in such patients should be reconsidered. However, due to the small sample size of this study, a larger prospective clinical trial should be performed to confirm findings.

Endoscopic surveillance for bladder cancer: a systematic review of contemporary worldwide practices

BACKGROUND

The aim of this systematic review was to identify the current endoscopic surveillance strategies in use across the world and to determine whether these were sufficient or if any recommendations for changes in the guidelines could be made. This review focused on the cystoscopic follow-up of non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) patients and muscle invasive bladder cancer (MIBC) patients who had undergone bladder sparing treatments.

METHODS

A literature search was carried out on Medline and Embase using OVID gateway according to a pre-defined protocol. Systematic screening of the identified studies was carried out by two authors. Quality assessment was performed using the Joanna Briggs critical appraisal tools. Data was extracted on various aspects including the follow-up regime utilised, patients included, outcomes investigated and a summary of the results. The studies were compared in a narrative nature.

RESULTS

A total of 2,604 studies were identified from the search strategy, of which 14 were deemed suitable for inclusion following the screening process. The studies identified were from nine countries and were mainly observational or qualitative. There was a huge variation in the follow-up regimes utilised within the studies with no clear consensus as to which regime was the most suitable. However, all studies utilised an initial cystoscopy at three months post-TURBT. No studies were identified which investigated the endoscopic follow-up strategies for MIBC patients who opted for bladder conservation with chemoradiation.

CONCLUSIONS

There is no universally accepted protocol for endoscopic follow-up of patients with NMIBC bladder cancer. Guidance on cystoscopic monitoring of bladder in patients who have undergone chemoradiation for MIBC is also lacking.

Current Management of Localized Muscle-Invasive Bladder Cancer: A Consensus Guideline from the Genitourinary Medical Oncologists of Canada

BACKGROUND: Despite recent advances in the management of muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC), treatment outcomes remain suboptimal, and variability exists across current practice patterns. OBJECTIVE: To promote standardization of care for MIBC in Canada by developing a consensus guidelines using a multidisciplinary, evidence-based, patient-centered approach who specialize in bladder cancer. METHODS: A comprehensive literature search of PubMed, Medline, and Embase was performed; and most recent guidelines from national and international organizations were reviewed. Recommendations were made based on best available evidence, and strength of recommendations were graded based on quality of the evidence. RESULTS: Overall, 17 recommendations were made covering a broad range of topics including pathology review, staging investigations, systemic therapy, local definitive therapy and surveillance. Of these, 10 (59% ) were level 1 or 2, 7 (41% ) were level 3 or 4 recommendations. There were 2 recommendations which did not reach full consensus, and were based on majority opinion. This guideline also provides guidance for the management of cisplatin-ineligible patients, variant histologies, and bladder-sparing trimodality therapy. Potential biomarkers, ongoing clinical trials, and future directions are highlighted. CONCLUSIONS: This guideline embodies the collaborative expertise from all disciplines involved, and provides guidance to further optimize and standardize the management of MIBC.

Patient Perspectives on the Implementation of Risk-Aligned Bladder Cancer Surveillance: Systematic Evaluation Using the Tailored Implementation for Chronic Diseases Framework

PURPOSE

Many patients living with bladder cancer do not undergo surveillance that is aligned with their risk for recurrence or progression, which exposes them to unnecessary risk and burden of procedures. To implement risk-aligned surveillance as recommended by multiple guidelines, we need to understand patient-, provider-, and system-level factors contributing to the delivery of risk-aligned surveillance. In this study, we sought to systematically assess patient-level factors.

PARTICIPANTS AND METHODS

Guided by the Tailored Implementation for Chronic Diseases framework, we conducted semistructured interviews with 22 patients with bladder cancer undergoing surveillance cystoscopy procedures at three facilities within the Department of Veterans Affairs. Patients were sampled using quantitative data on bladder cancer risk category (low v high) and on surveillance category (aligned v not aligned with cancer risk). Interview transcripts were analyzed using a priori codes from the Tailored Implementation for Chronic Diseases framework. Quantitative and qualitative data were integrated by cross-tabulating determinants across risk and surveillance categories.

RESULTS

Participants included seven low-risk and 15 high-risk patients; 10 underwent risk-aligned surveillance and 12 did not. In mixed-methods analyses, perception of risk appropriately differed by risk but not by surveillance category. Participants understood the recommended surveillance schedule according to their risk category. Participants emphatically expressed that adhering to providers' recommendations is prudent; intentions to adhere did not vary across risk and surveillance categories.

CONCLUSION

Participants intended to adhere to providers' recommendations and strongly endorsed the importance of adherence. These findings suggest implementation strategies to improve risk-aligned surveillance may be most effective when targeting provider- and system-level factors rather than patient-level factors.

The impact of low- versus high-intensity surveillance cystoscopy on surgical care and cancer outcomes in patients with high-risk non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC)

Purpose

To assess the association of low- vs. guideline-recommended high-intensity cystoscopic surveillance with outcomes among patients with high-risk non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC).

Materials & methods

A retrospective cohort study of Veterans Affairs patients diagnosed with high-risk NMIBC between 2005 and 2011 with follow-up through 2014. Patients were categorized by number of surveillance cystoscopies over two years following diagnosis: low- (1–5) vs. high-intensity (6 or more) surveillance. Propensity score adjusted regression models were used to assess the association of low-intensity cystoscopic surveillance with frequency of transurethral resections, and risk of progression to invasive disease and bladder cancer death.

Results

Among 1,542 patients, 520 (33.7%) underwent low-intensity cystoscopic surveillance. Patients undergoing low-intensity surveillance had fewer transurethral resections (37 vs. 99 per 100 person-years; p<0.001). Risk of death from bladder cancer did not differ significantly by low (cumulative incidence [CIn] 8.4% [95% CI 6.5–10.9) at 5 years) vs. high-intensity surveillance (CIn 9.1% [95% CI 7.4–11.2) at 5 years, p = 0.61). Low vs. high-intensity surveillance was not associated with increased risk of bladder cancer death among patients with Ta (CIn 5.7% vs. 8.2% at 5 years p = 0.24) or T1 disease at diagnosis (CIn 10.2% vs. 9.1% at 5 years, p = 0.58). Among patients with Ta disease, low-intensity surveillance was associated with decreased risk of progression to invasive disease (T1 or T2) or bladder cancer death (CIn 19.3% vs. 31.3% at 5 years, p = 0.002).

Conclusions

Patients with high-risk NMIBC undergoing low- vs. high-intensity cystoscopic surveillance underwent fewer transurethral resections, but did not experience an increased risk of progression or bladder cancer death. These findings provide a strong rationale for a clinical trial to determine whether low-intensity surveillance is comparable to high-intensity surveillance for cancer control in high-risk NMIBC.

The impact of frequent cystoscopy on surgical care and cancer outcomes among patients with low-risk, non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer

BACKGROUND

Surveillance recommendations for patients with low-risk, non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) are based on limited evidence. The objective of this study was to add to the evidence by assessing outcomes after frequent versus recommended cystoscopic surveillance.

METHODS

This was a retrospective cohort study of patients diagnosed with low-risk (low-grade Ta (AJCC)) NMIBC from 2005 to 2011 with follow-up through 2014 from the Department of Veterans Affairs. Patients were classified as having undergone frequent versus recommended cystoscopic surveillance (>3 vs 1-3 cystoscopies in the first 2 years after diagnosis). By using propensity score-adjusted models, the authors estimated the impact of frequent cystoscopy on the number of transurethral resections, the number of resections without cancer in the specimen, and the risk of progression to muscle-invasive cancer or bladder cancer death.

RESULTS

Among 1042 patients, 798 (77%) had more frequent cystoscopy than recommended. In adjusted analyses, the frequent cystoscopy group had twice as many transurethral resections (55 vs 26 per 100 person-years; P < .001) and more than 3 times as many resections without cancer in the specimen (5.7 vs 1.6 per 100 person-years; P < .001). Frequent cystoscopy was not associated with time to progression or bladder cancer death (3% at 5 years in both groups; P = .990).

CONCLUSIONS

Frequent cystoscopy among patients with low-risk NMIBC was associated with twice as many transurethral resections and did not decrease the risk for bladder cancer progression or death, supporting current guidelines.

Extent of Risk-Aligned Surveillance for Cancer Recurrence Among Patients With Early-Stage Bladder Cancer

IMPORTANCE

Cancer care guidelines recommend aligning surveillance frequency with underlying cancer risk, ie, more frequent surveillance for patients at high vs low risk of cancer recurrence.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the extent to which such risk-aligned surveillance is practiced within US Department of Veterans Affairs facilities by classifying surveillance patterns for low- vs high-risk patients with early-stage bladder cancer.

DESIGN SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS

US national retrospective cohort study of a population-based sample of patients diagnosed with low-risk or high-risk early-stage bladder between January 1, 2005, and December 31, 2011, with follow-up through December 31, 2014. Analyses were performed March 2017 to April 2018. The study included all Veterans Affairs facilities (n = 85) where both low-and high-risk patients were treated.

EXPOSURES

Low-risk vs high-risk cancer status, based on definitions from the European Association of Urology risk stratification guidelines and on data extracted from diagnostic pathology reports via validated natural language processing algorithms.

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES

Adjusted cystoscopy frequency for low-risk and high-risk patients for each facility, estimated using multilevel modeling.

RESULTS

The study included 1278 low-risk and 2115 high-risk patients (median [interquartile range] age, 77 [71-82] years; 99% [3368 of 3393] male). Across facilities, the adjusted frequency of surveillance cystoscopy ranged from 3.7 to 6.2 (mean, 4.8) procedures over 2 years per patient for low-risk patients and from 4.6 to 6.0 (mean, 5.4) procedures over 2 years per patient for high-risk patients. In 70 of 85 facilities, surveillance was performed at a comparable frequency for low- and high-risk patients, differing by less than 1 cystoscopy over 2 years. Surveillance frequency among high-risk patients statistically significantly exceeded surveillance among low-risk patients at only 4 facilities. Across all facilities, surveillance frequencies for low- vs high-risk patients were moderately strongly correlated (r = 0.52; P < .001).

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

Patients with early-stage bladder cancer undergo cystoscopic surveillance at comparable frequencies regardless of risk. This finding highlights the need to understand barriers to risk-aligned surveillance with the goal of making it easier for clinicians to deliver it in routine practice.

Cost-effectiveness of surveillance schedules in older adults with non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer

OBJECTIVE

To estimate the cost-effectiveness of surveillance schedules for non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) amongst older adults.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We developed a MIcrosimulation SCreening ANalysis (MISCAN) microsimulation model to compare the cost-effectiveness of various surveillance schedules (every 3 months to every 24 months, for 2, 5 or 10 years or lifetime) for older adults (aged 65-85 years) with NMIBC. For each surveillance schedule we calculated total costs per patient and the number of quality adjusted life-years (QALYs) gained. Incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs), as incremental costs per QALY gained, were calculated using a 3% discount.

RESULTS

As age increased, the number of QALYs gained per patient decreased substantially. Surveillance of patients aged 65 years resulted in 2-7 QALYs gained, whereas surveillance at age 85 years led to <1 QALY gained. The total costs of the surveillance schedules also decreased as age increased. The ICER of 6-monthly surveillance at age 65 years for lifetime was $4999 (American dollars)/QALY gained. Amongst patients aged >75 years, the incremental yield of QALY gains for any increase in surveillance frequency and/or duration was quite modest (<2 QALYs gained).

CONCLUSION

With increasing age, surveillance for recurrences leads to substantially fewer QALYs gained. These data support age-specific surveillance recommendations for patients treated for NMIBC.