Abstract
The urologic chronic pelvic pain syndromes—interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome and chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome—continue to be both a major cause of morbidity in patients and huge challenge to clinicians. This is largely because patients with common symptoms but differing underlying pain mechanisms are grouped together. In addition, frustration with poor outcomes leads to cynicism and negativism producing an important nocebo effect, further compromising patient care. A new approach is needed. Utilizing principles borrowed from our oncologic colleagues to UCPPS patients can improve all aspects of care:
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Diagnosis of clinically relevant phenotypes
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Objectively staging the severity of disease
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Using sound treatment principles to achieve remission
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Careful follow-up using objective and subjective measures to fully understand response to therapy
When these principles are applied methodically, clinical success becomes common. When success becomes common, the concepts of complete remission and cure can be introduced.
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References
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Conflict of Interest
Christopher Payne reports that he receives personal fees from and serves on the Medical Advisory Board for both Allergan and Astellas. He also declares that his wife is a consultant for New Pelvic Pain Technologies.
Human and Animal Rights and Informed Consent
This article does not contain any studies with human or animal subjects performed by any of the authors.
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Christopher K. Payne is an Emeritus Professor of Urology in Stanford University.
This article is part of the Topical Collection on Pelvic Pain
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Payne, C.K. A New Approach to Urologic Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndromes: Applying Oncologic Principles to “Benign” Conditions. Curr Bladder Dysfunct Rep 10, 81–86 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11884-014-0272-5
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11884-014-0272-5