Wesley W Choi

Publications (7)36.01 Total impact

• Article: Overuse of imaging for staging low risk prostate cancer.

  Wesley W Choi, Stephen B Williams, Xiangmei Gu, Stuart R Lipsitz, Paul L Nguyen, Jim C Hu
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  ABSTRACT: Routine imaging for staging low risk prostate cancer is not recommended according to current guidelines. We characterized patterns of care and factors associated with imaging overuse. We used SEER-Medicare linked data to identify men diagnosed with low risk prostate cancer from 2004 to 2005, and determined if imaging (computerized tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, bone scan, abdominal ultrasound) was obtained following prostate cancer diagnosis before treatment. Of the 6,444 men identified with low risk disease 2,330 (36.2%) underwent imaging studies. Of these men 1,512 (23.5%), 1,710 (26.5%) and 118 (1.8%) underwent cross-sectional imaging (computerized tomography or magnetic resonance imaging), bone scan and abdominal ultrasound, respectively. Radiation therapy vs surgery was associated with greater odds of imaging (OR 1.99, 95% CI 1.68-2.35, p <0.01), while active surveillance vs surgery was associated with lower odds of imaging (OR 0.44, 95% CI 0.34-0.56, p <0.01). Associated with increased odds of imaging was median household income greater than $60,000 (OR 1.41, 95% CI 1.11-1.79, p <0.01), and men from New Jersey vs San Francisco (OR 3.11, 95% CI 2.24-4.33, p <0.01) experienced greater odds of imaging. Men living in areas with greater than 90% vs less than 75% high school education experienced lower odds of imaging (OR 0.76, 95% CI 0.6-0.95, p = 0.02). There is widespread overuse and significant geographic variation in the use of imaging to stage low risk prostate cancer. Moreover treatment associated variation in imaging was noted with the greatest vs lowest imaging use observed for radiation therapy vs active surveillance.
  The Journal of urology 03/2011; 185(5):1645-9. · 4.02 Impact Factor
• Article: Cost implications of the rapid adoption of newer technologies for treating prostate cancer.

  Paul L Nguyen, Xiangmei Gu, Stuart R Lipsitz, Toni K Choueiri, Wesley W Choi, Yin Lei, Karen E Hoffman, Jim C Hu
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  ABSTRACT: Intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) and laparoscopic or robotic minimally invasive radical prostatectomy (MIRP) are costlier alternatives to three-dimensional conformal radiation therapy (3D-CRT) and open radical prostatectomy for treating prostate cancer. We assessed temporal trends in their utilization and their impact on national health care spending. Using Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results-Medicare linked data, we determined treatment patterns for 45,636 men age ≥ 65 years who received definitive surgery or radiation for localized prostate cancer diagnosed from 2002 to 2005. Costs attributable to prostate cancer care were the difference in Medicare payments in the year after versus the year before diagnosis. Patients received surgery (26%), external RT (38%), or brachytherapy with or without RT (36%). Among surgical patients, MIRP utilization increased substantially (1.5% among 2002 diagnoses v 28.7% among 2005 diagnoses, P < .001). For RT, IMRT utilization increased substantially (28.7% v 81.7%; P < .001) and for men receiving brachytherapy, supplemental IMRT increased significantly (8.5% v 31.1%; P < .001). The mean incremental cost of IMRT versus 3D-CRT was $10,986 (in 2008 dollars); of brachytherapy plus IMRT versus brachytherapy plus 3D-CRT was $10,789; of MIRP versus open RP was $293. Extrapolating these figures to the total US population results in excess spending of $282 million for IMRT, $59 million for brachytherapy plus IMRT, and $4 million for MIRP, compared to less costly alternatives for men diagnosed in 2005. Costlier prostate cancer therapies were rapidly and widely adopted, resulting in additional national spending of more than $350 million among men diagnosed in 2005 and suggesting the need for comparative effectiveness research to weigh their costs against their benefits.
  Journal of Clinical Oncology 03/2011; 29(12):1517-24. · 18.37 Impact Factor
• Article: Determinants of performing radical prostatectomy pelvic lymph node dissection and the number of lymph nodes removed in elderly men.

  Jim C Hu, Sandip M Prasad, Xiangmei Gu, Stephen B Williams, Stuart R Lipsitz, Paul L Nguyen, Toni K Choueiri, Wesley W Choi, Anthony V D'Amico
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  ABSTRACT: Controversy persists regarding the adequacy of pelvic lymph node dissection (PLND) and cancer control when comparing minimally invasive radical prostatectomy (MIRP) and open radical prostatectomy (RRP). We characterized determinants of performance and extent of PLND during radical prostatectomy in elderly men. A population-based study was conducted comprised of 5448 men ≥65 years undergoing RRP and MIRP during 2004 to 2006 from Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER)-Medicare-linked data. Multivariable logistic regression was used to assess the effect of demographic and tumor characteristics, surgical approach, and surgeon volume on the likelihood of performing PLND. PLND was performed for 87.6% vs. 38.3% of men undergoing RRP vs. MIRP (P <.001). Among RRP, 82.6% vs. 4.6% underwent extended vs. limited PLND, with a median yield of 4 vs. 3 lymph nodes (P <.001). Median MIRP PLND yield was 3 lymph nodes. In adjusted analyses, men undergoing RRP vs. MIRP (odds ratio [OR] 16.7; 95% confidence interval [CI], 11.1-25.0), those with few vs. multiple comorbidities (OR 1.4, 95% CI 1.02-1.91), intermediate (OR 1.87; 95% CI 1.48-2.37), and high (OR 2.77; 95% CI 2.02-3.78) vs. low-risk features, and men treated by high-volume surgeons (OR 1.008; 95% CI 1.004-1.011) were more likely to undergo PLND. Conversely, Hispanic (OR 0.68, 95% CI 0.49-0.96) vs. white men were less likely to undergo PLND. Independent of tumor characteristics, men undergoing RRP vs. MIRP were more likely to undergo PLND with greater lymph node yield and racial variation observed. Further studies are needed to determine the appropriate use of PLND.
  Urology 02/2011; 77(2):402-6. · 2.43 Impact Factor
• Source

  Available from: Stephen B Williams

  Article: Nerve-sparing technique and urinary control after robot-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy.

  Wesley W Choi, Marcos P Freire, Jane R Soukup, Lei Yin, Stuart R Lipsitz, Fernando Carvas, Stephen B Williams, Jim C Hu
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  ABSTRACT: To characterize determinants of 4-, 12-, and 24-month urinary control after robot-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy (RALP). Adjusted comparative study using prospectively collected, patient self-reported urinary control for 602 consecutive RALPs. Urinary control defined as: (1) EPIC urinary function (UF) scored from 0 to 100 and (2) continence (zero pads per day). Both UF (62.8 vs. 42.4, P<0.001) and continence rates (47.2 vs. 26.7%, P=0.043) were better for bilateral nerve-sparing (BNS) vs. non-nerve-sparing (NNS) at 4 months, but only UF scores were significantly better at 12- (80.9 vs. 70.7, P=0.014) and 24-month (89.2 vs. 77.4, P=0.024) post-RALP. No difference in positive margin rates was observed. In multivariate analysis, older age (parameter estimate -0.42, 95% CI -0.80 to -0.04) and increasing gland volume (-0.13, CI -0.26 to -0.01) resulted in lower UF scores at 4 months, while higher pre-operative UF (0.25, CI 0.05-0.46), bladder neck-sparing technique (10.1, CI 3.79-16.35), BNS (19.1, CI 9.37-28.82), and unilateral nerve-sparing (19.00, CI 7.88-30.11) resulted in higher UF scores at 4 months. At 12 months, higher pre-operative UF (0.24, CI 0.083-0.40) and BNS (9.54, CI 1.92-17.16) resulted in higher UF scores. At 24 months, higher pre-operative UF (0.20, CI 0.06-0.33), bladder neck-sparing technique (7.80, CI 3.48-12.10), and BNS (7.86, CI 1.04-14.68) resulted in higher UF scores. BNS, bladder neck-sparing technique, and higher pre-operative UF score result in improved 24-month urinary control after RALP.
  World Journal of Urology 10/2010; 29(1):21-7. · 2.41 Impact Factor
• Article: The effect of minimally invasive and open radical prostatectomy surgeon volume.

  Wesley W Choi, Xiangmei Gu, Stuart R Lipsitz, Anthony V D'Amico, Stephen B Williams, Jim C Hu
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  ABSTRACT: To determine the effect of minimally invasive radical prostatectomy (MIRP) surgeon volume on outcomes, and correlate with those of open radical prostatectomy retropubic (ORP). Observational population-based study of 8,831 men undergoing MIRP and ORP by 1,457 low, medium, and high volume surgeons from SEER-Medicare linked data from 2003 to 2007. After stratifying by surgeon ORP and MIRP volume, the following outcomes were studied: length of stay, transfusions, post-operative 30-day and anastomotic stricture complications, and use of additional cancer therapies. Men undergoing MIRP with high and medium vs. low volume surgeons were less likely to require additional cancer therapies (4.5% and 4.7% vs. 7%, P = 0.020). Similarly, men undergoing ORP with high vs. medium and low volume surgeons were less likely to require additional cancer therapies (5.7% vs. 6.8% and 7.1%, P = 0.044). Men undergoing ORP with high vs. medium and low volume surgeons experienced shorter lengths of stay (2.9 vs. 3.3 and 3.6 days, P < 0.001), and fewer transfusions (15.4% vs. 21.3% and 22.7%, P = 0.017), 30-day complications (18.4% vs. 25.6% and 25.7%, P < 0.001), and anastomotic strictures (10.1% vs. 15.6% and 16.3%, P = 0.003). However, MIRP surgeon volume did not affect these outcomes. Men undergoing MIRP or ORP with high volume surgeons were less likely to require additional cancer therapies. Additionally, patients of high volume ORP surgeons were more likely to experience shorter hospital stays, fewer transfusions, 30-day complications, and anastomotic strictures, while MIRP surgeon volume did not affect these peri-operative outcomes.
  Urologic Oncology 09/2010; 30(5):569-76. · 3.22 Impact Factor
• Source

  Available from: brighamandwomens.org

  Article: Overcoming the learning curve for robotic-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy.

  Marcos P Freire, Wesley W Choi, Yin Lei, Fernando Carvas, Jim C Hu
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  ABSTRACT: Robotic-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (RALP) has been rapidly adopted in the last few years despite having a prolonged learning curve. This article describes the RALP learning curve, reviews in detail the challenging steps of the operation, describes the authors' RALP technique, and concludes with tips to overcome the learning curve.
  Urologic Clinics of North America 02/2010; 37(1):37-47, Table of Contents. · 1.82 Impact Factor
• Article: Lymphoma of the prostate and bladder presenting as acute urinary obstruction.

  Wesley W Choi, Ronald L Yap, Ozden Ozer, Michael R Pins, Anthony J Schaeffer
  The Journal of Urology 04/2003; 169(3):1082-3. · 3.75 Impact Factor