Cancer Therapy AdvisorLocal Therapy Improves Overall Survival in cN1 Prostate Cancer

Meta-Analysis Reveals Significant Benefits of Radiotherapy and Radical Prostatectomy Over Observation or ADT Alone

A recent meta-analysis published in European Urology Oncology has shed new light on the efficacy of local therapy in treating patients with clinically lymph node-positive (cN1) prostate cancer. The study suggests that local therapy options, such as radiotherapy or radical prostatectomy, can significantly improve overall survival rates compared to androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) or observation alone.

HCN Medical Memo
This meta-analysis underscores the potential benefits of local therapy in improving overall survival rates for cN1 prostate cancer patients. Given the significant improvements observed, it may be prudent to consider local therapy options such as radiotherapy or radical prostatectomy, in conjunction with or as an alternative to ADT, especially for patients who are at the 4-year mark or beyond.

Key Points

• The meta-analysis included data from 8,522 patients across eight retrospective studies.
• Patients who received local therapy had a significantly longer overall survival (OS) starting at two years and continuing up to 10 years.
• Radiotherapy showed a significant improvement in OS from four years up to eight years compared to no local therapy.
• The addition of local therapy to ADT also showed a significant improvement in OS at four years.
• Researchers recommend local therapy for cN1 patients, citing improved oncological outcomes.

Approximately 1 in 9 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer during his lifetime.

Additional Points

• Data comparing radical prostatectomy to no local therapy were not reported.
• No significant difference in OS was found when comparing radiotherapy or radical prostatectomy with or without ADT at 2 and 4 years.
• Researchers call for future studies to identify specific patient populations that would benefit the most from local therapy.

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