Patient reported treatment burden and attitudes towards in-home intravesical therapy among patients with bladder cancer

Purpose: To quantify patient reported treatment burden while receiving intravesical therapy for bladder cancer and to survey patient perspectives on in-home intravesical therapy.

Materials and methods: We conducted a cross-sectional survey of the Bladder Cancer Advocacy Network Patient Survey Network. Survey questions were developed by investigators, then iteratively revised by clinician and patient advocates. Eligible participants had to have received at least 1 dose of intravesical therapy delivered in an ambulatory setting.

Results: Two hundred thirty-three patients responded to the survey with median age of 70 years (range 33-88 years). Two-thirds of respondents (66%, 151/232) had received greater than 12 bladder instillations. A travel time of >30 minutes to an intravesical treatment facility was reported by 55% (126/231) of respondents. Fifty-six percent (128/232) brought caregivers to their appointments, and 36% (82/230) missed work to receive treatment. Sixty-one respondents (26%) felt the process of receiving bladder instillations adversely affected their ability to perform regular daily activities. Among those surveyed, 72% (168/232) reported openness to receiving in-home intravesical instillations and 54% (122/228) answered that in-home instillations would make the treatment process less disruptive to their lives.

Conclusions: Bladder cancer patients reported considerable travel distances, time requirements, and need for caregiver support when receiving intravesical therapy. Nearly three-quarters of survey respondents reported openness to receiving intravesical instillations in their home, with many identifying potential benefits for home over clinic-based therapy.