Decision making in clinical stage I (CSI) testicular cancer (TC).

Abstract

e15034 Background: Optimal management of CSI seminomatous (S) and nonseminomatous (NS) TC is an open question. Quality of life and patient preferences are the principal end-points for the best treatment choice. Multidisciplinary approach is required for CSI TC patients to allow an individualized treatment with a patient-centered approach and an active participation in decisions. The “shared decision making” (SDM) is the prevailing approach because patients together with clinicians arrive at a mutually agreed-on choice. We have a project concerning the involvement of patients with CSI TC in the SDM. Methods: We used some key points of SDM: define the problem; treatment options; discuss pros/cons; clarify patient preferences; clarify the patient’s understanding. Educational material are offered to patients. From 2005 to 2012, 32 patients with CSI TC were evaluated. For each patient some clinical and socio-demographic features, type of treatment chosen and some sequel related to treatment were analyzed. Results: Patients characteristics are reported in the table. 4 S patients chose surveillance, 10 chemotherapy and 6 radiotherapy. 2 NS patients chose surveillance, 9 chemotherapy. 4 relapsed: 1 S patient after 13 months from chemotherapy and 1 during the surveillance after 24 months. 2 NS patients relapsed after 12 and 18 months both during the surveillance. All relapsed patients received chemotherapy. Metabolic alterations were analyzed. 1 S patient treated with chemotherapy had a cardiovascular accident. Conclusions: We observed an high gap between surveillance and the active treatments: there is no best choice for every one so we should improve decision-making process and decision aids into the management of CSI patients with TC. [Table: see text]