Assessment of activity and outcome from a one-stop clinic for men with suspected prostate cancer: Five years’ experience

Abstract

Objective:

We have set up a weekly one stop prostate specific antigen (PSA) clinic to evaluate men with suspected prostate cancer (CaP) and report our five years of experience.

Methods:

Patients with an elevated PSA result, abnormal digital rectal examination, or worrisome symptoms were booked into this clinic. Prostate biopsy was done on the same day, if required. The clinic is run by a single consultant urological surgeon and an advanced nurse practitioner. A database of all patients attending this clinic has been maintained.

Results:

A total of 729 patients were seen. Rates of non-attendance were low at 2–5 patients each year, and 50.9%–67.1% of patients had a biopsy. Of these, 46.8%–56.1% were diagnosed with CaP, given their results and appropriately treated after multi-disciplinary meeting (MDT) discussion within 15 days. Patients who did not have a cancer diagnosis received a phone call from the consultant at a median time of 2.5 days. Patient and general practitioner (GP) satisfaction levels with this service were high.

Conclusions:

The one-stop clinic is feasible, efficient in quickly reassuring men without cancer, allows rapid diagnosis and starts treatment within 15 days for those who need it. This clinic reduces waiting times and the number of follow-up visits, and is highly acceptable to patients and GPs.