National second opinion network for testicular cancer patients - transferring guidelines into practice!

• Published in: Aktuelle Urologie Vol. 45; no. 6; p. 454
• Main Authors: Zengerling, F, Krege, S, Schrader, A J, Schrader, M
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: German
• Published: Germany 01.11.2014
• Subjects: Combined Modality Therapy; Computer Communication Networks; Cooperative Behavior; Evidence-Based Medicine; Germany; Humans; Interdisciplinary Communication; Internet; Male; Medical Overuse - prevention & control; Neoplasms, Germ Cell and Embryonal - diagnosis; Neoplasms, Germ Cell and Embryonal - therapy; Orchiectomy; Practice Guidelines as Topic; Referral and Consultation - organization & administration; Testicular Neoplasms - diagnosis; Testicular Neoplasms - therapy
• ISSN: 1438-8820
• DOI: 10.1055/s-0034-1395624

The second opinion network for testicular cancer is an internet-based platform addressed to physicians treating testicular cancer patients. They are offered a second opinion before determining further therapy after orchiectomy and completion of staging procedures. The platform has been used in more than 3,000 cases of testicular cancer to date. The rate of discrepancies between first and second opinions is higher than 30%. This suggests a deficit in the implementation of published therapy guidelines. According to our present interim analysis, the second opinion platform helps in avoiding overtreatment of testicular cancer. The high acceptance of the project and the encouraging results of this interim analysis open the door for expansion of the second opinion model to other diseases, e. g., penile carcinoma.