Better survival for patients with new metastatic prostate cancer with previous prostate surgery

This study aimed to investigate the effect previous treatment has on overall survival for patients with metastatic (spread) prostate cancer. This study found that patients who had previous prostate surgery and radiation had improved overall survival. 

Localized prostate cancer can be treated using prostate-removing surgery (prostatectomy) or radiation therapy. These are local therapies. Chemotherapy and hormonal therapy are other treatment options. Even when these therapies are combined, prostate cancer can still progress to metastatic cancer. This means it has spread outside of the prostate. It is unclear which treatment leads to the best overall survival for patients whose cancer has progressed. 

This study included 729 patients with metastatic prostate cancer. 284 men had no previous local treatment, 176 had surgery and radiation, and 269 had radiation alone. All patients had received or were still having hormonal therapy. Patients were followed-up for an average of 14.9 months after the diagnosis of metastases. 

Compared to no previous local treatment, patients who had surgery with or without radiation had a 29% higher chance in better overall survival. Those treated with radiation alone also had an 11% higher chance of better survival compared to no local treatment. Patients with additional medical conditions who had previous prostate surgery had a 30% higher chance of better overall survival compared with no local treatment.

This study found that patients with metastatic prostate cancer who had previous prostate surgery with or without radiation had improved overall survival compared to no local treatment.

This was a retrospective study, meaning the authors looked back at data. The patients came from different medical centers, who had different protocols for delivering treatments.