Exploring perceptions of the risk of recurrence in renal cell carcinoma: evidence from a survey of practicing physicians

You have accessJournal of UrologyCME1 Apr 2023MP19-15 EXPLORING PERCEPTIONS OF THE RISK OF RECURRENCE IN RENAL CELL CARCINOMA: EVIDENCE FROM A SURVEY OF PRACTICING PHYSICIANS Rituparna Bhattacharya, Caroline Vass, Cathy Anne Pinto, Kelley Myers, Kentaro Imai, Cooper Bussberg, Shawna R. Calhoun, and Christine Poulos Rituparna BhattacharyaRituparna Bhattacharya More articles by this author , Caroline VassCaroline Vass More articles by this author , Cathy Anne PintoCathy Anne Pinto More articles by this author , Kelley MyersKelley Myers More articles by this author , Kentaro ImaiKentaro Imai More articles by this author , Cooper BussbergCooper Bussberg More articles by this author , Shawna R. CalhounShawna R. Calhoun More articles by this author , and Christine PoulosChristine Poulos More articles by this author View All Author Informationhttps://doi.org/10.1097/JU.0000000000003244.15AboutPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissionsReprints ShareFacebookLinked InTwitterEmail Abstract INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: The treatment landscape for early-stage renal cell carcinoma (RCC) following nephrectomy is rapidly evolving, especially with the approval of pembrolizumab adjuvant therapy in the United States. Exploratory survey questions aimed to quantify qualitative descriptors of the level of risk of recurrence and to examine physicians’ perceptions of risk and its determinants. METHODS: The survey questions were included in a survey completed by physicians experienced with treating nonmetastatic RCC in the United States. Physicians were asked to (1) assign each of four categories of the risk of post nephrectomy disease recurrence (low, intermediate-low [int-low], intermediate-high [int-high], and high) to selected risk ranges; (2) categorize the risk of recurrence for three patient vignettes; and (3) assign an expected time until disease recurrence for two additional vignettes. Descriptive statistics were used. RESULTS: 250 physicians (64% oncologists, 36% urologists) completed the survey. The median risk levels assigned by oncologists were <20% for low, 21%-50% for int-low, 51%-80% for int-high, and 51-80% for high risk. Urologists’ median risk levels were identical to those of oncologists in the sample, except for the int-high level, which urologists assigned 21%-50%. On average, physicians perceived an individual with pT3, Fuhrman Grade 3, N0, M0 tumor and ECOG Performance status (PS)=1 as int-low risk. Int-high risk was the median perceived risk level assessed for the following two vignettes: pT2, N0, M0, Fuhrman grade 4 tumor with sarcomatoid feature and ECOG PS 0; and pT3, N1, M0, Fuhrman grade 3 tumor and ECOG PS 1. More than one-third of physicians expected a patient with pT3 tumor to remain disease free for 2-3 years post nephrectomy (n=95; 38%) if N0 M0, and 1-2 years (n=92; 36.8%) if N1 M0. CONCLUSIONS: Physicians’ perception of risk of recurrence post nephrectomy is critical when evaluating patient eligibility for and choosing to recommend adjuvant therapy. This exploratory analysis provides insights into risk perceptions among oncologists and urologists. Source of Funding: Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC, a subsidiary of Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA © 2023 by American Urological Association Education and Research, Inc.FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Volume 209Issue Supplement 4April 2023Page: e271 Advertisement Copyright & Permissions© 2023 by American Urological Association Education and Research, Inc.MetricsAuthor Information Rituparna Bhattacharya More articles by this author Caroline Vass More articles by this author Cathy Anne Pinto More articles by this author Kelley Myers More articles by this author Kentaro Imai More articles by this author Cooper Bussberg More articles by this author Shawna R. Calhoun More articles by this author Christine Poulos More articles by this author Expand All Advertisement PDF downloadLoading ...