title: [German national second-opinion network for testicular cancer and penile carcinoma : Two sources for evidence-based information].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The second-opinion network for testicular cancer is an internet-based platform addressing physicians treating testicular cancer patients. They are offered a second-opinion before determining further therapy after orchiectomy and completion of staging.
  The high rate of discrepancies between the first and second opinion in more than 30 % supports the assumption of a deficit in the implementation of treatment guidelines. In 2015, approximately 22 % of the newly diagnosed cases with testicular cancer in Germany were covered by this system. According to the present interim analysis, the second-opinion platform helps to avoid overtreatment of testicular cancer patients. The high acceptance of the project and the encouraging results of this interim analysis gave rise to considerations to apply the second-opinion model to penile carcinoma. Data from the UK and the Netherlands show that the second-opinion network for penile cancer could help to improve treatment standards and results in Germany. Current data and the intended further development of the system are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Klinik für Urologie, HELIOS Klinikum Berlin-Buch, Schwanebecker Chaussee 50, 13125, Berlin, Deutschland. mark.schrader@helios-kliniken.de.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Schrader
authors.affiliation: Urologische Klinik, Universitätsklinikum Ulm, Ulm, Deutschland.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Zengerling
authors.affiliation: Urologische Klinik, Universitätsklinikum Rostock, Rostock, Deutschland.
authors.forename: O W
authors.initials: OW
authors.lastname: Hakenberg
authors.affiliation: Urologische Klinik, Universitätsklinikum Rostock, Rostock, Deutschland.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Protzel
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine / Q000592:standards; D005858:Germany / Q000453:epidemiology; D063005:Health Information Systems / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008297:Male; D008495:Medical Oncology / Q000592:standards; D000069342:Medical Overuse / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008875:Middle Aged; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D012017:Referral and Consultation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D013736:Testicular Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy*; D014572:Urology / Q000592:standards
keywords: Cancer, testicular; Internet-platform; Overtreatment; Second-opinion; Treatment guidelines