First of Its Kind Study Directly Compares Success of Prostate Treatment Outcomes Over Time

SEATTLE, Feb. 15, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Today the Prostate Cancer Results Study Group, an international team of prostate cancer experts led by Dr. Peter Grimm of the Prostate Cancer Center of Seattle, reported the results of the largest evaluation to date of the long-term results of various treatment options for men with prostate cancer. The study directly compares the efficacy of surgery, seed implantation and external radiation/intensity modulated radiation (IMRT) over time. The results of the study were surprising, indicating that for long-term results, seed implantation was superior overall in every category. The results of the study are published in the February issue of the British Journal of Urology.

"When men are faced with prostate cancer they inevitably ask: how can I compare these treatments?" said Dr. Peter Grimm. "This study, by a large group of renowned prostate cancer experts, puts the information from thousands of articles and studies in one place so a patient, working with his physician, can find his matching patient profile on the graph and see the long-term results of a particular treatment. Then the two of them can make an informed decision."

For the study, the Prostate Cancer Results Study Group evaluated every prostate cancer article published over the past 10 years. Of the 15,000 articles reviewed, 848 were related to treatment results. One hundred twenty of those studies could be used to compare treatment results for the final set of graphs. The group wanted to give patients and their physicians the ability to compare long-term results of these prostate cancer treatment options. The study is unique in that it only looked at long-term cancer control beyond five years.

"All treatments for early stage prostate cancer look good early on," commented Dr. Grimm. "However, the differences begin to show up after five years. This is extremely important for men, as any treatment failure means more treatment."

The study divided men into simple categories of low, intermediate and high risk, and looked at the results of each treatment option. Plotted on a graph, the comparisons are easy to evaluate. In the low-risk patients, the study indicated that 80 percent of the patients would do well over the short term with any treatment. However as the time horizon stretched past five years, it became clear that seed implantation was an extremely successful long-term treatment option.

"It is in the patient's best interest to see multiple experts before making a treatment decision, as side effect profiles can differ amongst these treatments," said Mark Scholz of Prostate Oncology Specialists. "However this study clearly shows that men treated with seed implantation have improved cure rates compared to surgery."

Each year, it is estimated that more than 240,000 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer, with one out of six men being diagnosed in their lifetime. Early detection of prostate cancer is the key to the best result. The advent of early detection by PSA screening has allowed prostate cancer to be detected at earlier stages, giving men access to multiple successful treatment options. Early detection by PSA screening allows patients the most options for treatment and minimizes the likelihood of a serious side effect from the treatment.

An explanation and complete set of the graphs of the study can be obtained by emailing the Prostate Cancer Center of Seattle at [email protected].

The Prostate Cancer Results Study Group's article citation is:
Grimm, P, Billiet, I, Bostwick, D, et al.  
Comparative analysis of prostate-specific antigen free survival outcomes for patients with low, intermediate and high risk prostate cancer treatment by radical therapy.
Results from the Prostate Cancer Results Study Group BJU  INTERNATIONAL  2012 | 109, SUPPLEMENT 1, 22 - 29

About Prostate Cancer Center of Seattle
The Prostate Cancer Center of Seattle is a dedicated center for the treatment of prostate cancer. The Center's physicians pioneered permanent seed implantation and developed multiple technical improvements in treatment. They have also trained more than 6,000 physicians in permanent seed implantation.

SOURCE Prostate Cancer Center of Seattle