Which patient attributes predispose them to prostate cancer progression?

This study looked at men with prostate cancer undergoing active surveillance, and tried to show which characteristics were related with an increased risk of cancer progression.

Prostate cancer is the uncontrolled growth and division of prostate cells. This growth can be slow and sometimes harmless, so in the early stages of prostate cancer (when the tumor is still localized, and has not spread to other organs) a common treatment plan is watchful waiting (also called active surveillance). Patients under active surveillance do not receive any aggressive treatments such as surgery, but are regularly examined by a physician to detect any sign of disease progression.

Prostate specific antigen (PSA) is a molecule produced by the prostate, and its levels are elevated in patients with prostate cancer. PSA is often used to follow the progression of this disease. PSA density is a measurement of PSA blood levels, compared to the size of the prostate.

Data from 276 patients with localized prostate cancer was analyzed in this study. These patients participated in a different trial testing a common drug used in the treatment of prostate cancer. Over the course of the original trial patients received several biopsies (a microscopic examination of a sample from the cancer) to detect cancer progression. Some of these patients were also treated with dutasteride (avodart), a drug proven to delay the progression of prostate cancer. These patients were followed for 3 years.

In 34% of the cases, the cancer progressed during the study. The researchers found that increased PSA density and older age were associated with tumor progression.

PSA density and old age are associated with an increased risk of prostate cancer progression. In the case of these patients, watchful waiting might not be the best course of action

This study was performed by analyzing data collected during a different trial. Some of the patients in the original trial were treated with medications that might have affected the study results.

Consult with your physician on whether watchful waiting is a safe and viable treatment option for your condition.