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Hazard ratios (HRs) are frequently misinterpreted. We describe an easily estimated complementary measure, the difference in restricted mean survival time (RMST), that requires fewer assumptions than the HR and is more readily interpretable. Reporting RMST-based measures may benefit shared decision-making.

Solid Science for the Upside but Lack of Solid Science for the Downside-Towards Cutting-edge Prostate-cancer Screening

Active surveillance (AS) is an important yet underutilized strategy to reduce prostate cancer (PCa) overtreatment.To examine the 5-yr outcomes of AS in a population-based setting.From the National Prostate Cancer Register of Sweden, we identified 11 726 men ≤70 yr diagnosed with very low-risk to intermediate-risk PCa from 2003 to 2007 who completed 5 yr of follow-up. Of these men, 1729 (15%) chose AS for the primary management strategy.We calculated the probability of discontinuation of AS over time, and Cox proportional hazards models were used to determine factors associated with discontinuation. Reasons for discontinuation were assessed by data extraction from medical charts.By 5 yr, 64% of the men remained on AS. Predictors of discontinuation were younger age, fewer comorbidities, more education, higher prostate-specific antigen (PSA), and clinical stage T2 disease; marital status did not predict discontinuation. In a subset with data on the reason for discontinuation (86%), 20% of men discontinued because of patient preference, 52% because of PSA progression, 24% because of biopsy progression, and 3% for other reasons.In a population-based setting, the majority of men remained on AS at 5 yr. However, one-fifth of the men who discontinued AS did so for nonbiologic reasons. Thus, there is a need for support and counseling for men to continue AS in the absence of signs of progression to improve adherence to AS and decrease overtreatment.Active surveillance (AS) is an important option to delay or avoid treatment for men with favorable prostate cancer features. This study shows that at 5 yr, 64% of men across an entire population remained on AS. We concluded that AS is a durable option and that counseling may be useful to promote adherence for men without progression.

Background Studies enumerating the dynamics of physical and emotional symptoms following prostate cancer (PCa) treatment are needed to guide therapeutic strategy. Yet, overcoming patient selection forces is a formidable challenge for observational studies comparing treatment groups. Objective To compare patterns of symptom burden and distress in men with localized PCa randomized to radical prostatectomy (RP) or watchful waiting (WW) and followed up longitudinally. Design, setting, and participants The three largest, Swedish, randomization centers for the Scandinavian Prostate Cancer Group-4 trial conducted a longitudinal study to assess symptoms and distress from several psychological and physical domains by mailed questionnaire every 6 mo for 2 yr and then yearly through 8 yr of follow-up. Intervention RP compared with WW. Outcome measurements and statistical analysis A questionnaire was mailed at baseline and then repeatedly during follow-up with questions concerning physical and mental symptoms. Each analysis of quality of life was based on a dichotomization of the outcome (yes vs no) studied in a binomial response, generalized linear mixed model. Results and limitations Of 347 randomized men, 272 completed at least five questionnaires during an 8-yr follow-up period. Almost all men reported that PCa negatively influenced daily activities and relationships. Health-related distress, worry, feeling low, and insomnia were consistently reported by approximately 30–40% in both groups. Men in the RP group consistently reported more leakage, impaired erection and libido, and fewer obstructive voiding symptoms. For men in the WW group, distress related to erectile symptoms increased gradually over time. Symptom burden and distress at baseline was predictive of long-term outlook. Conclusions Cancer negatively influenced daily activities among almost all men in both treatment groups; health-related distress was common. Trade-offs exist between physiologic symptoms, highlighting the importance of tailored treatment decision-making. Men who are likely to experience profound long-term distress can be identified early in disease management.

Prostate cancer (PCa) and surgery are both associated with increased risk of thromboembolic diseases (TED).We assessed risk of TED among men undergoing different types of urologic surgery.Using the Prostate Cancer Database Sweden (PCBaSe) Sweden, we identified all men (n=45 065) undergoing pelvic lymph node dissection (PLND), radical prostatectomy (RP) with or without PLND, orchiectomy due to PCa, or a transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP). We identified a comparison cohort from the population.Main outcomes were deep venous thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE) as primary diagnoses in the National Patient Register or Cause of Death Register (2002-2010). We calculated hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) using multivariable Cox proportional hazards models.All surgical procedures were associated with increased risk of TED; laparoscopic and open RP with a PLND were the most strongly associated with TED (HR for PE: 8.1 [95% CI, 2.9-23.0] and 7.8 [95% CI, 4.9-13], respectively). For surgery including a PLND, the risk increased during the second half of the first postoperative month. The HR for PE after TURP in men with PCa was 3.0 (95% CI, 1.8-5.1). Patients with a history of TED had a strongly increased risk of TED (HR for DVT: 4.5; 95% CI, 2.6-8.0). A limitation is lack of information on TED prophylaxis, but its use was standardized during the study period for RP and PLND. Other limitations are lack of information on extent of PLND and lifestyle factors.Surgeries for PCa, including TURP, are associated with hospitalization for TED. Patients with a history of TED and patients undergoing a PLND were at highest risk. The largest risk was observed from days 14 to 28 postoperatively. Thus, our results suggest that prophylactic measures may be beneficial during the first 4 wk in these patients.

Background: Genetic factors seem to be of greater importance in prostate cancer than in other forms of cancer. Studies have suggested familial concordance in survival, but the extent to which that is due to tumor characteristics is not known. Objective: We hypothesized that a brother of an index case with prostate cancer is at particularly increased risk of prostate cancer with the same tumor differentiation as the index case. Design, setting and participants: We identified 21 930 brothers of index cases with prostate cancer in the Prostate Cancer Data Base Sweden and followed them up for incidence of prostate cancer. Outcome measurements and statistical analysis: The relative risk of Gleason score-specific prostate cancer in the cohort of brothers was estimated by using the standardized incidence ratio (SIR) stratified by Gleason score of the index case. We estimated 95% confidence intervals (CIs) assuming a Poisson distribution. Results and limitations: Among brothers of index cases with Gleason score 8-10 cancer, the SIR was 2.53 (95% CI, 1.97-3.21) for a Gleason score 2-6 cancer and 4.00 (95% CI, 2.63-5.82) for a Gleason score 8-10 cancer. SIR for Gleason score 2-6 cancer among brothers decreased with time since the date of the index cases' diagnoses, whereas the risk of Gleason 8-10 cancer increased over time for brothers of index cases with Gleason 8-10 cancer (p for trend = 0.009). Conclusions: Brothers of men with high-grade prostate cancer are at particularly increased risk of high-grade prostate cancer. Likewise, there is a concordance of less malignant prostate cancers within families. These findings may have direct clinical relevance for counseling men with a family history of prostate cancer. (C) 2012 European Association of Urology. Published by Elsevier B. V. All rights reserved.

Observational data indicate that retropubic radical prostatectomy (RRP) for prostate cancer (PCa) may induce inguinal hernia (IH) formation. Little is known about the influence of robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RALP) on IH risk.To compare the incidence of IH after RRP and RALP to that of nonoperated patients with PCa and to a population control.We studied two groups. All 376 men included in the Scandinavian Prostate Cancer Group Study Number 4 constitute study group 1. Patients were randomly assigned RRP or watchful waiting (WW). The 1411 consecutive patients who underwent RRP or RALP at Karolinska University Hospital constitute study group 2. Men without PCa, matched for age and residence to each study group, constitute controls.Postoperative IH incidence was detected through a validated questionnaire. The participation rates were 82.7% and 88.4% for study groups 1 and 2, respectively.The Kaplan-Meier cumulative occurrence of IH development after 48 mo in study group 1 was 9.3%, 2.4%, and 0.9% for the RRP, the WW, and the control groups, respectively. There were statistically significant differences between the RRP group and the WW and control groups, but not between the last two. In study group 2 the cumulative risk of IH development at 48 mo was 12.2%, 5.8%, and 2.6% for the RRP, the RALP, and the control group, respectively. There were statistically significant differences between the RRP group and the RALP and control groups, but not between the last two.RRP for PCa leads to an increased risk of IH development. RALP may lower the risk as compared to open surgery.

Re: Screening and Prostate Cancer Mortality: Results of the European Randomised Study of Screening for Prostate Cancer (ERSPC) at 13 Years of Follow-up