The impact of a multidisciplinary small renal mass clinic on patient treatment decisions.

Introduction: Small renal masses (SRMs) are managed with active surveillance (AS), thermal ablation (TA), irreversible electroporation (IRE), or surgery, depending on patient and tumor factors. A novel SRM multidisciplinary clinic (SRMC), involving urologists and interventional radiologists, was established to provide patients with information on treatments options. The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of the SRMC on treatment decision-making METHODS: Demographics, tumor characteristics, and treatment decisions were prospectively collected on patients (n=216) attending the SRMC between 2016 and 2019.

Percutaneous irreversible electroporation for the treatment of small renal masses: The first Canadian case series.

Introduction: Irreversible electroporation (IRE) is a novel technology used in the minimally invasive treatment of small solid organ tumours. Currently, there is a paucity of literature studying treatment of small renal masses (SRMs) with IRE. Our pilot study is the first case series in Canada to use IRE in the treatment of SRMs.

Evaluation of an enhanced recovery protocol on patients having radical cystectomy for bladder cancer.

Introduction: Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocols are multimodal perioperative care protocols that are designed to shorten recovery time and reduce complication rates. An ERAS protocol was implemented in the Saskatoon Health region for radical cystectomy patients in 2013. This study evaluates the safety and efficacy of the protocol for patients having radical cystectomy for bladder cancer.

Can a supervised algorithmic assessment of men for prostate cancer improve the quality of care? A retrospective evaluation of a prostate assessment pathway in Saskatchewan.

Introduction: The Saskatoon Prostate Assessment Pathway (SPAP) was developed in 2013 in part to decrease the wait times between physician referral and biopsy for patients with suspected prostate cancer. Using an algorithm carefully designed to optimize appropriate prostate biopsy rates, physicians can directly refer patients for biopsy through the SPAP without seeing a urologist. All other patients are referred to the Saskatoon Urology Associates (SUA).

Implementation of a patient decision aid for men with localized prostate cancer: evaluation of patient outcomes and practice variation.

Background: Men with localized prostate cancer often have unrealistic expectations. Practitioners are poor judges of men's preferences, contributing to preference misdiagnosis and unwarranted practice variation. Patient decision aids (PtDAs) can support men with decisions about localized prostate cancer.

Largest pheochromocytoma reported in Canada: A case study and literature review.

Most giant pheochromocytomas do not present with classic symptoms, as documented by published case reports. Given this, clinicians have to consider a wide differential diagnosis for any retroperitoneal mass and perform screening tests to rule out a pheochromocytoma. We describe the largest pheochromocytoma reported in Canada, where the patient presented with a palpable abdominal mass and dyspnea.

Access related complications during percutaneous nephrolithotomy: urology versus radiology at a single academic institution.

Purpose: A recent survey revealed that only 11% of urologists performing percutaneous nephrolithotomy routinely obtained percutaneous access themselves. Reasons for this trend may include lack of training, comfort level and perceived need for radiological involvement. In this study we evaluated percutaneous access for percutaneous nephrolithotomy obtained by interventional radiologists or a urologist at a single academic institution, and compared access trends and complications.