Guidelines grapple with localized prostate cancer: review cites lack of clinical trial data.(Radiation therapy )(Disease/Disorder overview)

Publication: Internal Medicine News

Publication Date: 15-JUN-06

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COPYRIGHT 2006 International Medical News Group

ATLANTA -- A decade of medical research has not been enough to produce a consensus on the optimal treatment for patients with localized prostate cancer, according to a preview of updated guidelines to be issued by the American Urological Association.

All treatments (surgery, radiation therapy, and active surveillance) available for clinically localized prostate cancer can be presented to patients only as options, because a review of the literature has been unable to prove any one treatment superior to another--with three exceptions, said guidelines panel member Dr. Michael S. Cookson of Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tenn.

The guidelines panel found sufficient evidence to support these conclusions:

* Higher-dose radiation may decrease the risk of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) recurrence in low-risk patients.

*...

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