Building a Roadmap for Surveillance of Renal Masses using a modified Delphi Method to help Achieve Consensus

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

6-21-2023

Publication Title

Urology

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To establish a consensus for initial evaluation and follow-up of patients on active surveillance (AS) for T1 renal masses (T1RM).

METHODS: A modified Delphi method was used to gather information about AS of T1RM, with a focus on patient selection, timing/type of imaging modality, and triggers for intervention. A consensus panel of MUSIC-affiliated urologists who routinely manage renal masses was formed. Areas of consensus (defined >80% agreement) about T1RM AS were established iteratively via three rounds of online questionnaires.

RESULTS: Twenty-six MUSIC urologists formed the panel. Consensus was achieved for 321/587 scenarios (54.7%) administered through 124 questions. Life expectancy (LE), age, comorbidity, and renal function were most important for patient selection, with LE ranking first. All tumorsLErisk, increasing tumor complexity, and/or declining renal function. Consensus was for multiphasic axial imaging initially (contrast CT for GFR>60 or MRI for GFR>30) with first repeat imaging at 3-6 months and subsequent imaging timing determined by tumor size. Consensus was for chest imaging for tumors >3 cm initially and >5 cm at follow up. Renal biopsy was not felt to be a requirement for entering AS, but useful in several scenarios. Consensus indicated rapid tumor growth as an appropriate trigger for intervention.

CONCLUSIONS: Our consensus panel was able to achieve areas of consensus to help define a clinically useful and specific roadmap for AS of T1RM and areas for further discussion where consensus was not achieved.

PubMed ID

37353086

ePublication

ePub ahead of print

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