title: A novel rapid access testicular cancer clinic: prospective evaluation after one year.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Our institution has recently developed a rapid access outpatient clinic to investigate men with testicular lumps and/or pain suspicious for testicular cancer (TCa).
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To present our experience after 12 months.
  
  
  METHODS
  All referrals to the rapid access testicular clinic (RATC) clinic were prospectively analysed from 01/01/2013 to 01/01/2014. The primary outcome variable was incidence of TCa in the referred patient cohort. Secondary outcome variables were waiting times prior to clinical review and waiting times prior to radical orchidectomy in patients diagnosed with TCa.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Seventy-four new patients were referred to the RATC during the 1-year period and the mean age was 34 (range 15-81 years). TCa was the most common diagnosis and was found in 18 (25 %) patients. Patients diagnosed with TCa underwent radical orchidectomy, a median of 3 (range 1-5) days after their initial GP referral. Patients requiring surgical intervention for benign scrotal pathology underwent their procedure a median of 32 (range 3-61) days after their initial referral. Of the 18 patients diagnosed with TCa, 9 (50 %) were diagnosed with a seminomatous germ cell tumour on histopathology.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The RATC is a new initiative in Ireland that provides expedient and definitive treatment of patients with newly diagnosed TCa. Early treatment will ultimately improve long-term prognosis in this patient cohort.
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Mercy University Hospital, Cork, Ireland.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Carey
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Mercy University Hospital, Cork, Ireland.
authors.forename: N F
authors.initials: NF
authors.lastname: Davis
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Mercy University Hospital, Cork, Ireland.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Elamin
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Mercy University Hospital, Cork, Ireland.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Ahern
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Mercy University Hospital, Cork, Ireland.
authors.forename: C M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Brady
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Mercy University Hospital, Cork, Ireland. psweeney@muh.ie.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Sweeney
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000553:Ambulatory Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006297:Health Services Accessibility / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007494:Ireland / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009373:Neoplasms, Germ Cell and Embryonal / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy*; D009919:Orchiectomy / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012017:Referral and Consultation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D013736:Testicular Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy*; D013997:Time Factors; D014573:Urology Department, Hospital / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Audit; Rapid access testicular clinic; Testes; Testicular cancer