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Surveillance for bladder cancer: the management of 4.8 million people
Author(s) -
Wright M.P.J.,
Jones D.J.
Publication year - 2000
Publication title -
bju international
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.773
H-Index - 148
eISSN - 1464-410X
pISSN - 1464-4096
DOI - 10.1046/j.1464-410x.2000.00467.x
Subject(s) - cystoscopy , bladder cancer , medicine , workload , population , general surgery , cancer , urology , surgery , urinary system , management , environmental health , economics
Objective To document the workload of bladder cancer surveillance on the British urologist. Methods Thirty‐one consultant urologists serving a population of 4.8 million were sent postal questionnaires eliciting their views on the management of superficial bladder cancer. The number, type and outcome of cystoscopies performed over a 6‐week period throughout the region was then assessed prospectively. Results One person in 1450 in the South‐west region is undergoing follow‐up for bladder cancer. Of the responding consultants, 36% would give a single dose of intravesical chemotherapy within 24 h of resection for a G1/2 pTa tumour and 84% would perform the first check cystoscopy at 3–4 months. Over the 6‐week period of the study, 696 cystoscopies were performed; there was considerable variation among centres in the choice of cystoscopy type, with 3–80% being rigid cystoscopies. Overall, there was a positive finding in 31% of the assessments. Conclusion This study documents the practice of a significant number of UK urologists in the management of superficial bladder cancer. There are considerable variations among individuals in the type and timing of check cystoscopy.