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Overdiagnosis in urologic cancer

For World Journal of Urology Symposium on active surveillance in prostate and renal cancer

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Abstract

Background

Cancer, which historically was diagnosed at late and incurable stages, has expanded to a heterogeneous group of conditions that vary from clinically insignificant to rapidly aggressive and lethal. This evolution is due to the widespread use of screening tests for early detection of cancer, both directed (i.e., PSA, mammography, colonoscopy) and undirected (abdominal imaging). The use of these tests has resulted in both benefits and harms. The benefits are a reduction in survival and mortality, due to significant cancers being diagnosed at a more curable stage. The harms are an increase, in some cases dramatic, in the diagnosis of clinically insignificant disease. These are called ‘cancer’ but not destined to affect the patient’s life, even in the absence of treatment.

Methods

Non-explicit summary of the literature on overdiagnosis of cancer.

Results

The phenomenon of overdiagnosis requires two factors: the presence of a common reservoir of microfocal disease and a screening test to find it. These factors exist for breast, prostate, skin, renal, and thyroid cancers, and to a lesser degree for lung cancer. The problem of cancer overdiagnosis and overtreatment is complex, with numerous etiologies and many tradeoffs. It is a particular problem in prostate cancer but is a major issue in many other cancer sites. Screening for prostate cancer based on the best data from prospective randomized trials significantly reduces cancer mortality. However, reducing overtreatment in patients diagnosed with indolent disease is critical to the success of screening.

Conclusion

Active surveillance, the focus of this series of articles, is an important strategy to reduce overtreatment. This article reviews the pathological, clinical, social, and psychological aspects of overdiagnosis in cancer.

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  1. Division of Urology, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, University of Toronto, 2075 Bayview Ave. #MG408, Toronto, ON, M4N 3M5, Canada

    Laurence Klotz

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  1. Laurence Klotz
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Correspondence to Laurence Klotz.

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Klotz, L. Overdiagnosis in urologic cancer. World J Urol 40, 1–8 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00345-020-03523-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00345-020-03523-2

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