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Heterogeneity in prostate cancer biology and aggressiveness leads to significant challenges with regard to the balance between treatment outcomes and potential adverse events from those treatments. The studies discussed here directly address some of these challenges. As decreased sexual function is a common side effect of prostatectomy, Agochukwu-Mmonu et al. conducted a prospective cohort study to evaluate whether surgical case volume was associated with sexual function outcomes. Other studies have suggested that centers or surgeons with higher volumes in various techniques may have better outcomes; however, this specific question has not been thoroughly evaluated previously in prostate cancer. While surgeon case volume did not correlate with sexual function outcomes, there was significant variation in such outcomes. This suggests an opportunity for quality improvement targeting this variation.
Extensive efforts have been put forth to evaluate which patients may safely delay, or completely avoid, treatment for prostate cancer. However, identifying who can safely avoid treatment is challenging. Arcot et al. utilized the Michigan Urological Surgery Improvement Collaborative (MUSIC) registry for men to determine whether those with prostate cancer grade group 1 with delayed treatment had increased need for secondary treatments, such as androgen deprivation or radiation therapy, compared with those with upfront surgery. There was a small decrease in the probability of being free from secondary treatment 24 months after diagnosis (96% vs. 93%), suggesting that such an approach is quite reasonable.
These two studies exemplify one of the ongoing points of discussion in treatment of early stage prostate cancer: whether upfront treatments are of net benefit for patients. The study by Wallis et al. further evaluated this point by conducting a prospective cohort study to evaluate the extent of regret of choice of treatment strategy amongst patients with prostate cancer. Out of this cohort of 2,072 men, 16% who underwent surgery, 11% who received radiation, and 7% who chose active surveillance reported regret regarding the treatment choice. However, when controlled for functional outcomes, the differences amongst treatment modalities were not statistically significant. However, perceived treatment efficacy and adverse effects were associated with regret when compared with patient expectations prior to treatment. This suggest that research and focus on shared decision-making in the clinic may be highly beneficial.
Heterogeneity in prostate cancer biology and aggressiveness leads to significant challenges with regard to the balance between treatment outcomes and potential adverse events from those treatments. The studies discussed here directly address some of these challenges. As decreased sexual function is a common side effect of prostatectomy, Agochukwu-Mmonu et al. conducted a prospective cohort study to evaluate whether surgical case volume was associated with sexual function outcomes. Other studies have suggested that centers or surgeons with higher volumes in various techniques may have better outcomes; however, this specific question has not been thoroughly evaluated previously in prostate cancer. While surgeon case volume did not correlate with sexual function outcomes, there was significant variation in such outcomes. This suggests an opportunity for quality improvement targeting this variation.
Extensive efforts have been put forth to evaluate which patients may safely delay, or completely avoid, treatment for prostate cancer. However, identifying who can safely avoid treatment is challenging. Arcot et al. utilized the Michigan Urological Surgery Improvement Collaborative (MUSIC) registry for men to determine whether those with prostate cancer grade group 1 with delayed treatment had increased need for secondary treatments, such as androgen deprivation or radiation therapy, compared with those with upfront surgery. There was a small decrease in the probability of being free from secondary treatment 24 months after diagnosis (96% vs. 93%), suggesting that such an approach is quite reasonable.
These two studies exemplify one of the ongoing points of discussion in treatment of early stage prostate cancer: whether upfront treatments are of net benefit for patients. The study by Wallis et al. further evaluated this point by conducting a prospective cohort study to evaluate the extent of regret of choice of treatment strategy amongst patients with prostate cancer. Out of this cohort of 2,072 men, 16% who underwent surgery, 11% who received radiation, and 7% who chose active surveillance reported regret regarding the treatment choice. However, when controlled for functional outcomes, the differences amongst treatment modalities were not statistically significant. However, perceived treatment efficacy and adverse effects were associated with regret when compared with patient expectations prior to treatment. This suggest that research and focus on shared decision-making in the clinic may be highly beneficial.
Heterogeneity in prostate cancer biology and aggressiveness leads to significant challenges with regard to the balance between treatment outcomes and potential adverse events from those treatments. The studies discussed here directly address some of these challenges. As decreased sexual function is a common side effect of prostatectomy, Agochukwu-Mmonu et al. conducted a prospective cohort study to evaluate whether surgical case volume was associated with sexual function outcomes. Other studies have suggested that centers or surgeons with higher volumes in various techniques may have better outcomes; however, this specific question has not been thoroughly evaluated previously in prostate cancer. While surgeon case volume did not correlate with sexual function outcomes, there was significant variation in such outcomes. This suggests an opportunity for quality improvement targeting this variation.
Extensive efforts have been put forth to evaluate which patients may safely delay, or completely avoid, treatment for prostate cancer. However, identifying who can safely avoid treatment is challenging. Arcot et al. utilized the Michigan Urological Surgery Improvement Collaborative (MUSIC) registry for men to determine whether those with prostate cancer grade group 1 with delayed treatment had increased need for secondary treatments, such as androgen deprivation or radiation therapy, compared with those with upfront surgery. There was a small decrease in the probability of being free from secondary treatment 24 months after diagnosis (96% vs. 93%), suggesting that such an approach is quite reasonable.
These two studies exemplify one of the ongoing points of discussion in treatment of early stage prostate cancer: whether upfront treatments are of net benefit for patients. The study by Wallis et al. further evaluated this point by conducting a prospective cohort study to evaluate the extent of regret of choice of treatment strategy amongst patients with prostate cancer. Out of this cohort of 2,072 men, 16% who underwent surgery, 11% who received radiation, and 7% who chose active surveillance reported regret regarding the treatment choice. However, when controlled for functional outcomes, the differences amongst treatment modalities were not statistically significant. However, perceived treatment efficacy and adverse effects were associated with regret when compared with patient expectations prior to treatment. This suggest that research and focus on shared decision-making in the clinic may be highly beneficial.