Guidance to support NHS clinicians and service managers to deliver high-quality, consistent care for patients with upper urinary tract urothelial cancer (UTUC) is now available on the GIRFT website.
Developed by a GIRFT expert working group, in collaboration with the British Association of Urological Surgeons (BAUS) and the British Association of Urological Nursing (BAUN), the new guide aims to address known variations in diagnostic practices, significant delays to treatment and potentially suboptimal outcomes.
It should be used by all clinicians involved in the diagnosis, management, surveillance and MDT care of UTUC, as well as those involved in service planning and improvement, including senior managers, regional cancer alliances and commissioning organisations.
The easy-to-use guide features a delivery checklist and overview of the pathway, from presentation to surveillance, including initial treatment options. Its overarching aims are to:
- provide a streamlined and standardised diagnostic and management framework for suspected UTUC, including guidance on the appropriate use of ancillary diagnostic tools, to reduce unnecessary investigations, minimise delays and improve oncological outcomes.
- highlight best practice and key quality actions to support timely diagnosis and staging, efficient multidisciplinary team (MDT) working, and improved resource utilisation through standardised care.
- emphasise adherence to established standards of care, including post-operative intravesical mitomycin C instillation and appropriate use of adjuvant chemotherapy.
