by A new study conducted over a 10-year period involving nearly 2,500 men who received treatment for prostate cancer has shed light on the long-term side effects of different treatments. The study, known as CEASAR (Comparative Effectiveness Analysis of Surgery and Radiation for Localized Prostate Cancer), was coordinated by Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC).
The study, which began in 2011, followed a diverse group of men who were diagnosed with localized prostate cancer. Over the course of the study, the men were administered a series of questionnaires to assess the urinary, bowel, sexual, and hormone therapy-related side effects of the treatments. The newly released study in JAMA builds upon previous publications of three-year and five-year results.
According to first author Bashir Al Hussein Al Awamlh, MD, a fellow in Urologic Oncology at VUMC, many men with localized prostate cancer survive for 15 years or more, with minimal differences in survival rates among different treatment strategies. Therefore, the choice of treatment for patients may be influenced by the adverse effects of the treatments.
The study included a diverse cohort of patients, with 1,797 non-Hispanic white men, 350 non-Hispanic Black men, 184 Hispanic men, 77 Asian men, and 33 men from other races. Unlike previous studies, this study focused on contemporary treatment options and utilized real-world data representative of the U.S. population. This allowed for a better understanding of the impact of treatments on a diverse range of patients.
The patients were classified into two categories based on cancer risk: favorable prognosis and unfavorable prognosis. This categorization is important because patients with unfavorable prognosis receive more intensive treatments. The findings from the study suggest that counseling for patients with unfavorable prognosis prostate cancer should be different from those with favorable prognosis. The study also highlights the benefits of active surveillance, when safe, for patients with favorable-prognosis prostate cancer, as it helps avoid the adverse effects associated with other treatment options.
Senior author Daniel Barocas, MD, MPH, professor and executive vice chair of Urology at VUMC, emphasizes the importance of the study. He states that the findings underscore the need for counseling patients based on their prognosis and expected long-term functional outcomes. Additionally, the study suggests that the adverse effects of treatments on sexual function may be less significant for some men when making treatment decisions.
The authors are now working on developing a personalized prediction tool based on the study data. This tool will provide patients with functional estimates for up to 10 years based on different treatment strategies. It aims to assist patients and healthcare professionals in making informed decisions about prostate cancer treatment options.
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1. Source: Coherent Market Insights, Public sources, Desk research
2. We have leveraged AI tools to mine information and compile it
