In a nutshell The authors analysed the effect of positive surgical margins on cancer-specific survival. Some background When tumors are removed, typically extra tissue around the tumor is also removed to increase the likelihood of removing all the cancer cells. Estimating surgical margins involves examining this extra tissue after or during...
Read MoreCurrent stage -Stage II Posts on Medivizor
Intraductal carcinoma as an independent predictive factor in prostate biopsy
In a nutshell This study evaluated whether the presence of intraductal carcinoma of the prostate (IDC-P) in prostate biopsies predicts a poorer prognosis. Some background Prostate cancer is often a slow growing cancer with good prognosis (the predicted outcome of the disease is good). Unfortunately, in some cases relapse...
Read MoreDo certain factors predict the development of blood clots after prostate surgery?
In a nutshell The authors aimed to identify factors associated with an increased risk of blood clot development following radical prostatectomy. Some background The formation of blood clots in the veins is the most common non-operative complication after radical prostatectomy (surgical removal of the prostate). While effective...
Read MoreHow should biochemical recurrence be defined after external beam radiation therapy?
In a nutshell The authors aimed to evaluate if a new definition of biochemical recurrence is appropriate in prostate cancer treated with radical external beam radiation. Some background Prostate-specific antigen is a protein that is found at higher levels in the blood when prostate cancer is present. After prostatectomy (surgery to remove the...
Read MoreSurgery or targeted radiotherapy?
In a nutshell This examined survival rates of radical prostatectomy compared with intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) among patients with localized (confined) prostate cancer. Some background Radical prostatectomy or RP (surgical removal of the prostate gland and some healthy tissue around it) and radiotherapy are the most common...
Read MoreComparing survival for surgery versus radiation therapy in patients with prostate cancer
In a nutshell This study compared survival rates for patients with prostate cancer who were treated with either surgery to remove the prostate (radical prostatectomy) or radiation therapy (external beam radiotherapy). Some background The prostate is a gland in the reproductive system of men, which is found under the urinary bladder. In a...
Read MoreProton beam radiation therapy with or without androgen suppression for intermediate risk prostate cancer
In a nutshell This phase 3 trial aims to determine if androgen suppression along with high dose proton radiation therapy offers more benefit than proton radiation therapy alone. The main outcome investigated is freedom from treatment failure. The details Freedom from treatment failure represents successful treatment with no local cancer...
Read MoreTestosterone as a treatment in men who have had prostate cancer, is it a viable option to improve men’s health?
In a nutshell This article reviews the use of testosterone treatment in men who have had prostate cancer. Although not currently used as a treatment method, there is a small amount of evidence which shows that it does not increase the risk of prostate cancer recurrence or progression. Some background Testosterone is produced largely by the...
Read MoreThe impact of 6 vs 18 months of androgen-suppression therapy, with or without Zolendronic Acid, on quality of life in men with prostate cancer
In a nutshell This clinical trial evaluated the quality of life of men with locally advanced prostate cancer (PCa) treated with Leuprorelin and radiotherapy, with or without Zolendronic Acid (ZA). Quality of life measures improved with shorter duration of Leuprorelin treatment, regardless of combining ZA. Some background Prostate cancer...
Read MoreRecurrence rate after surgical prostate removal in men older than 70 years of age
Due to the increase in life expectancy, there exists an increasing number of patients with prostate cancer (PCA) in many populations. However, there is no consensus on screening and treatment of PCA in the medical fraternity. This paper investigated the oncological outcomes of radical prostatectomy (RP) in older men (> 70) compared to RP outcomes in...
Read MoreSurgery versus Clinical Observation for Localized Prostate Cancer
In a nutshell This study compared mortality rates in patients with localized prostate cancer who were managed with either radical prostatectomy (complete surgical removal of the prostate) or careful clinical observation. Initial diagnosis was made by means of Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) testing. The main finding was that mortality did not differ...
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