In a nutshell
This study aims to find out if local treatment with or without ADT is useful in the case of node-positive prostate cancer. This study found that local therapy and androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) is more effective for patients with node-positive prostate cancer than ADT alone.
Some background
Local treatment or androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) is used first line for prostate cancer with lymph node positive disease. Radiotherapy and/or prostate surgery is considered a local treatment in prostate cancer (i.e. treatment is only to the site of the tumor). ADT decreases the number of hormones such as testosterone in the body. ADT can be used by itself or with local treatment.
It is unclear if local treatment with or without ADT is useful in the case of cancers with disease in lymph nodes.
Methods & findings
In this study;1987 patients received local treatment and ADT, 980 patients received ADT alone.
Survival at five years was better for local treatment and ADT (78.8%) as compared to ADT alone (49.2%). There was no difference associated with using radiotherapy or prostate removal surgery as the local treatment.
The bottom line
This study found that local therapy and ADT is more effective for patients with node-positive prostate cancer than ADT alone.
The fine print
This is a retrospective study, looking back over patient files. Therefore, it is not very strong evidence to base treatment on.
What’s next?
Discuss this treatment option with your doctor.
Published By :
European Urology
Date :
Sep 07, 2017
