Comparison of Renal Cell Carcinoma Surveillance Guidelines: Competing Trade-Offs

We estimated the differences in intensity, cost, radiation exposure and cancer control of published surveillance guidelines screening for secondary renal cell carcinoma in patients treated with partial nephrectomy.

We developed a Monte Carlo simulation model to contrast the existing guidelines in terms of cost, radiation exposure and cancer control. Model inputs were extrapolated from the existing literature. Surveillance guidelines were analyzed from the AUA, CUA, EAU and NCCN®. Risk stratification among patients treated with partial nephrectomy was based on tumor characteristics.

Expected costs during the 5 years after partial nephrectomy were $587 (CUA), $1,076 (AUA), $1,705 (EAU) and $1,768 (NCCN) for low risk patients, and $903 (CUA), $2,525 (EAU) and $3,904 (AUA and NCCN) for high risk patients. Radiation exposure ranged from 31.41 mSv (CUA) to 104.34 mSv (NCCN) for low risk patients and 46.88 mSv (CUA) to 231.61 mSv (AUA and NCCN) for high risk patients. The EAU and CUA guidelines led to the diagnosis of the highest percentage of low risk patients (more than 95%) while all guidelines diagnosed more than 92% of high risk patients with recurrence.

Renal cell carcinoma surveillance guidelines differ greatly in terms of intensity, cost and radiation exposure. It is important for clinicians to adopt standardized surveillance strategies that limit unnecessary cost and radiation exposure without compromising cancer control.