Initial experience of an algorithm-based protocol for the community follow-up of men with prostate cancer

To evaluate the implementation of a novel algorithm-based discharge programme for the community follow-up of men with prostate cancer.

Men with prostate cancer considered suitable for discharge were identified from consultant-led and clinical nurse-specialist telephone clinics at Nottingham University Hospitals National Health Service Trust. Patients were discharged on to one of four discharge pathways: watchful waiting, androgen-deprivation therapy (ADT), post-prostatectomy, and post-radiotherapy. Primary care providers were asked to adhere to specific surveillance measures and refer patients back to secondary care after breach of pre-defined prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level threshold criteria. Reasons for non-compliance, re-referral, and cause of death were determined for all discharged men.

In all, 573 men were discharged across all four pathways; 169 on the watchful-waiting pathway, 229 on the ADT pathway, 95 on the post-prostatectomy pathway, and 80 on the post-radiotherapy pathway. All patients had ≥12 months of follow-up. In all, 48 of 54 (88.9%) men were re-referred promptly after a PSA-threshold breach. Of the remaining six patients there were three refusals, one unrelated death before referral, and two late referrals at 4 months. Three patients were lost to follow-up due to database non-registration and were subsequently recalled, none of whom had a PSA-threshold breach. There were three unexpected deaths attributed to prostate cancer: two were community deaths with no biochemical or clinical evidence of prostate cancer progression, while one was due to a likely progressive PSA non-secreting tumour.

Initial results suggest the algorithm-based protocol is a viable, effective, and oncologically safe method for the controlled discharge of men from secondary to primary care. Longer-term follow-up, patient satisfaction and cost-effectiveness data are required to assess the true impact of the initiative.