Decision analysis in carcinoma of the testis

J. H.M. Zwetsloot-Schonk, J. Hermans, A. T. Van Oosterom, J. S. Pliskin, J. Zwartendijk, J. W.H. Leer

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Decision analysis was carried out to compare existing treatment policies for patients with nonseminomatous germ-cell testicular cancer (NSGCTC) in clinical stage I. Two conventional approaches, radical retroperitoneal lymph node dissection (RPLND) and radiotherapy (RT) of the retroperitoneal lymph nodes, were compared with the wait-and-see strategy. In the analysis, both mortality and morbidity were taken into account. The outcomes of the three approaches were quantified in quality-adjusted life years (QUALY). The assigned probabilities and utilities are varied over plausible ranges and the effect of these variations on the QUALY was investigated. The wait-and-see strategy was slightly preferable to the two conventional approaches. Decision analysis provides a good framework within which physicians, radiologists and surgeons can discuss their thoughts and treatment policies.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)176-184
Number of pages9
JournalTheoretical Surgery
Volume2
Issue number4
StatePublished - 1 Jan 1988
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Surgery
  • Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine

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