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Endocrine Therapy plus Radiation Superior to Endocrine Therapy Alone in Prostate Cancer
Adding radiotherapy to endocrine treatment improves survival in men with locally advanced prostate cancer, according to an industry-funded, unblinded study published online by Lancet.
Nearly 900 patients at 47 centers in Scandinavia were randomized to receive long-term endocrine therapy either alone or with radiation. Prostate-cancer-specific mortality at 10 years was significantly higher with endocrine therapy alone than with combination treatment (24% vs. 12%). Similarly, overall mortality and prostate-specific antigen recurrence favored combined therapy.
Patients receiving radiotherapy were more likely to report urinary and sexual problems and diarrhea — side effects the authors deem "acceptable in comparison to the survival gain achieved."
Commentators conclude that the findings "should change current practice, making long-term hormonal therapy plus radical radiotherapy the standard of care for men with locally advanced prostate cancer."
LINK(S):
Lancet article (Free abstract; full text requires subscription)
Lancet comment (Subscription required)
Associated Press story (Free)
Published in Physician's First Watch December 16, 2008
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