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Management of Small Testicular Masses: A Delphi Consensus Study

Pang, Karl H; Fallara, Giuseppe; Lobo, João; Alnajjar, Hussain M; Sangar, Vijay; von Stempel, Conrad; Huang, Dean Y; ... EAU-YAU Penile and Testis Cancer Working Group; + view all (2024) Management of Small Testicular Masses: A Delphi Consensus Study. European Urology Oncology , 8 (1) pp. 152-163. 10.1016/j.euo.2024.10.010.

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Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The majority of small testicular masses (STMs) are benign and therefore radical orchidectomy (RO) may represent overtreatment. In appropriately selected patients, surveillance or testis-sparing surgery (TSS) is an alternative option to preserve testicular function. Since there are no clear guidelines, we aimed to develop consensus recommendations on the management of STMs. METHODS: A four-round Delphi study was conducted by 24 experts representing multiple subspecialties to reach consensus. Consensus was defined as ≥75% of the participants scoring within the same 3-point grouping (1-3, disagree; 4-6, uncertain; 7-9, agree.). The first two rounds were survey based, the third round was an online meeting to discuss uncertainties from the first two rounds, and the fourth round was a review of the final consensus statements from rounds 1-3. KEY FINDINGS AND LIMITATIONS: The initial survey consisted of 126 statements. Following the four rounds of assessment, a list of 96 statements were produced, which focused on clinical and biochemical assessment, colour Doppler ultrasound (CDUS) characteristics, and management options including surveillance, RO, and TSS. Management should be personalised according to risk factors for testicular cancer, fertility status, uni- or bilateral tumours, status of the contralateral testis, and CDUS characteristics, with solid lesions displaying vascularity and hypoechogenicity being more suspicious for malignancy. The consensus statements are prone to a bias, and some may not reflect robust, randomised evidence. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: The expert panel has produced consensus recommendations on the management of STMs, and TSS should be considered in patients with an STM. The recommendations could aid in the dissemination of best practice. PATIENT SUMMARY: There are no clear guidelines on the management of small testicular masses. Excising the whole testicle (radical orchidectomy) with a small or an indeterminate mass may affect fertility and hormonal function. A panel of experts was formed, and consensus recommendations were developed on how to deal with small and indeterminate testicular masses, which include surveillance or testis-sparing surgery.

Type: Article
Title: Management of Small Testicular Masses: A Delphi Consensus Study
Location: Netherlands
DOI: 10.1016/j.euo.2024.10.010
Publisher version: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.euo.2024.10.010
Language: English
Additional information: This version is the author accepted manuscript. For information on re-use, please refer to the publisher’s terms and conditions.
Keywords: Consensus, Delphi, Orchidectomy, Small testicular mass, Testicular cancer, Testis-sparing surgery
UCL classification: UCL
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Medical Sciences
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Medical Sciences > Div of Surgery and Interventional Sci
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Population Health Sciences > Inst of Clinical Trials and Methodology
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Medical Sciences > Div of Surgery and Interventional Sci > Department of Targeted Intervention
URI: https://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/10206188
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