Interdisciplinary Swiss consensus recommendations for follow-up after radical cystectomy and trimodal treatment for muscle-invasive bladder cancer.

INTRODUCTION

Radical cystectomy or trimodal therapy are treatment options for non-metastatic bladder cancer. However, there is limited evidence guiding post-treatment follow-up regimens, resulting in variations in care.

OBJECTIVE

A Swiss consensus meeting aimed to identify gaps in follow-up strategies and subsequently tailoring follow-up protocols after curative treatment for bladder cancer.

METHODS

A consensus meeting including participants from urology, oncology, radiation oncology, neuro-urology, international advisors, and patient representatives was held. 19 pre-formulated questions addressing follow-up duration, frequency, and modalities after radical cystectomy or trimodal therapy for bladder cancer were discussed and voted by participants.

RESULTS

42 experts from 22 institutions participated in the meeting. Agreement was reached on several important elements of oncological and functional follow-up like risk-adapted follow-up and regular usage of patient reported outcome measures (PROMs) and 3 novel personalized follow-up schedules were suggested, balancing oncological surveillance, and monitoring functional complications.

CONCLUSION

We agreed on 3 newly developed Swiss follow up schedules for patients with bladder cancer who underwent cystectomy or trimodal therapy with curative intent; these protocols include stage-specific recommendations for type and timing of investigations to detect relapse combined with balanced measures to monitor functional complications such as PROMS and specific clinical examinations. These protocols will be evaluated in a prospective national multicentric cohort study.