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Watchful Waiting OK for Prostate Cancer
Feb. 13, 2008 -- Most older men with early-stage prostate cancer can safely choose close observation instead of active treatment and all of its potential side effects, a new study suggests.
Researchers examined data on more than 9,000 older men with localized prostate cancer who were not initially treated for the disease. Ten years later, about four-fifths were alive without any complications of their disease or had died of other causes.
The findings support a strategy of "watchful waiting" -- close monitoring for signs of tumor growth -- in many older men, says researcher Grace Lu-Yao, PhD, a cancer epidemiologist at The Cancer Institute of New Jersey and an associate professor at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School and School of Public Health.
"Currently there is no effective tool to determine who needs treatment," Lu-Yao tells WebMD. "Our data will help patients to know what will happen if they don't have treatment."
The Watchful-Waiting Debate
To treat or not to treat is one of the most difficult dilemmas facing men with prostate cancer, especially those with localized cancer that is contained within the prostate, when it is curable.
Because prostate cancer often grows so slowly it may never become life-threatening, many of these men, particularly older men, may die of other causes before the cancer causes problems. But in some men, the cancer will spread beyond the prostate without treatment. Then it's no longer curable.
As a result, there has been a long-running debate in the medical community about the value of treatment to destroy cancer cells vs. watchful waiting, also known as active surveillance.
Treatment usually involves surgical removal of the prostate or radiation therapy. Impotence, urinary incontinence, and bowel problems are all potential side effects of the most widely used treatments for prostate cancer.
Watchful waiting consists of close monitoring with periodic digital rectal exams, biopsies, and PSA (prostate-specific antigen) blood tests. Rising PSA levels can be a sign of prostate cancer spread in men with early cancer.
Lu-Yao says the new study is one of the first to describe the natural history of prostate cancer during the current era when PSA testing is common. This is important because PSA tests can help detect cancer six to 13 years earlier than traditional diagnostic methods, she says.
In contrast to older studies, the current trial also included a large number of elderly patients. More than 5,000 participants were over age 75, she says.
"This is the group of patients most likely to benefit from active surveillance but for whom little is known due to lack of data," Lu-Yao says.
The findings will be reported this week at the Genitourinary Cancers Symposium (GSC) in San Francisco.
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Indication
Uroxatral® (alfuzosin HCl 10 mg extended-release tablets) is an alpha1-blocker for the treatment of the signs and symptoms of BPH.
Important Safety Information
Do not take UROXATRAL if you have liver problems or if you are taking antifungal drugs like ketoconazole or itraconazole, or HIV drugs like ritonavir.
UROXATRAL can cause a sudden drop in blood pressure, especially when starting treatment. This may lead to fainting, dizziness, and lightheadedness. Do not drive, operate machinery, or do any dangerous activity until you know how UROXATRAL will affect you. This is especially important if you already have a problem with low blood pressure or take medicines to treat high blood pressure. There may be an increased risk of low blood pressure and fainting when taking UROXATRAL in combination with blood pressure medication or nitrates, or erectile dysfunction medication.
If considering cataract surgery (clouding of the eyes), tell your eye surgeon that you are currently taking UROXATRAL or have previously been treated with an alpha-blocker.
Before taking UROXATRAL, tell your doctor if you have kidney problems.
Also, tell your doctor if you or any family member(s) have or take medications for a rare heart condition known as congenital prolongation of the QT interval.
BPH and prostate cancer can cause the same symptoms. However, UROXATRAL is not a treatment for prostate cancer.
The most common side effects with UROXATRAL are dizziness, upper respiratory tract infection, headache, and tiredness.
Please see UROXATRAL full prescribing information.
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