Shifting tides: A survey analysis of urologists’ evolving attitudes toward focal therapy for prostate cancer

Introduction: Focal therapy (FT) is emerging as an alternative to radical treatment for prostate cancer (CaP). The purpose of this study is to assess the current perceptions of FT amongst urologists. Methods: A 22-item questionnaire was e-mailed to members of the American Urological Association. Mul...

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Main Authors: Jason Koehler, Alon Lazarovich, Shima Tayebi, Vijay Viswanath, Arvin George, Wei-Wen Hsu, Abhinav Sidana
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications 2025-01-01
Series:Indian Journal of Urology
Online Access:https://journals.lww.com/10.4103/iju.iju_239_24
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author Jason Koehler
Alon Lazarovich
Shima Tayebi
Vijay Viswanath
Arvin George
Wei-Wen Hsu
Abhinav Sidana
author_facet Jason Koehler
Alon Lazarovich
Shima Tayebi
Vijay Viswanath
Arvin George
Wei-Wen Hsu
Abhinav Sidana
author_sort Jason Koehler
collection DOAJ
description Introduction: Focal therapy (FT) is emerging as an alternative to radical treatment for prostate cancer (CaP). The purpose of this study is to assess the current perceptions of FT amongst urologists. Methods: A 22-item questionnaire was e-mailed to members of the American Urological Association. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to identify predictors of FT utilization. Results were compared to a previous survey from 2019. Results: Two hundred and sixty-four responses were recorded. Less than half (115/264, 43.6%) of respondents utilize FT; among them, 42% perform FT on more than 10 patients/year. Reasons for avoiding FT included: lack of experience (51.8%), belief that CaP is multifocal (46.0%), and lack of infrastructure (43.1%). The most common modalities for FT were high-intensity focused ultrasound (63.4%) and cryoablation (47.3%). Preferred patients for FT were primarily unilateral/anterior only Gleason Grade Group 2 (95/110, 86.4%). A fellowship training in urologic oncology (odds ratio [OR] = 2.86, P = 0.008) and seeing more than 10 CaP patients per month (OR = 2.46, P = 0.002) were associated with greater utilization of FT. Most respondents (85.4%) cited better imaging methods as a factor that has increased FT utilization. Compared to a previous survey, a higher number of respondents (43% vs. 24%) utilize FT and more respondents believe in the “index lesion theory.” Conclusions: Less than half of the respondents utilize FT in their practice. Fellowship training in urologic oncology and a higher volume of CaP patients were correlated with FT utilization. As urologists gain more experience, the trend of further utilization of FT for CaP may continue.
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1998-3824
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spelling doaj-art-3cdb4550109b4389b0b8587397f8b92b2025-08-20T02:02:20ZengWolters Kluwer Medknow PublicationsIndian Journal of Urology0970-15911998-38242025-01-01411596510.4103/iju.iju_239_24Shifting tides: A survey analysis of urologists’ evolving attitudes toward focal therapy for prostate cancerJason KoehlerAlon LazarovichShima TayebiVijay ViswanathArvin GeorgeWei-Wen HsuAbhinav SidanaIntroduction: Focal therapy (FT) is emerging as an alternative to radical treatment for prostate cancer (CaP). The purpose of this study is to assess the current perceptions of FT amongst urologists. Methods: A 22-item questionnaire was e-mailed to members of the American Urological Association. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to identify predictors of FT utilization. Results were compared to a previous survey from 2019. Results: Two hundred and sixty-four responses were recorded. Less than half (115/264, 43.6%) of respondents utilize FT; among them, 42% perform FT on more than 10 patients/year. Reasons for avoiding FT included: lack of experience (51.8%), belief that CaP is multifocal (46.0%), and lack of infrastructure (43.1%). The most common modalities for FT were high-intensity focused ultrasound (63.4%) and cryoablation (47.3%). Preferred patients for FT were primarily unilateral/anterior only Gleason Grade Group 2 (95/110, 86.4%). A fellowship training in urologic oncology (odds ratio [OR] = 2.86, P = 0.008) and seeing more than 10 CaP patients per month (OR = 2.46, P = 0.002) were associated with greater utilization of FT. Most respondents (85.4%) cited better imaging methods as a factor that has increased FT utilization. Compared to a previous survey, a higher number of respondents (43% vs. 24%) utilize FT and more respondents believe in the “index lesion theory.” Conclusions: Less than half of the respondents utilize FT in their practice. Fellowship training in urologic oncology and a higher volume of CaP patients were correlated with FT utilization. As urologists gain more experience, the trend of further utilization of FT for CaP may continue.https://journals.lww.com/10.4103/iju.iju_239_24
spellingShingle Jason Koehler
Alon Lazarovich
Shima Tayebi
Vijay Viswanath
Arvin George
Wei-Wen Hsu
Abhinav Sidana
Shifting tides: A survey analysis of urologists’ evolving attitudes toward focal therapy for prostate cancer
Indian Journal of Urology
title Shifting tides: A survey analysis of urologists’ evolving attitudes toward focal therapy for prostate cancer
title_full Shifting tides: A survey analysis of urologists’ evolving attitudes toward focal therapy for prostate cancer
title_fullStr Shifting tides: A survey analysis of urologists’ evolving attitudes toward focal therapy for prostate cancer
title_full_unstemmed Shifting tides: A survey analysis of urologists’ evolving attitudes toward focal therapy for prostate cancer
title_short Shifting tides: A survey analysis of urologists’ evolving attitudes toward focal therapy for prostate cancer
title_sort shifting tides a survey analysis of urologists evolving attitudes toward focal therapy for prostate cancer
url https://journals.lww.com/10.4103/iju.iju_239_24
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