The long-term outcomes of Gleason grade groups 2 and 3 prostate cancer managed by active surveillance: Results from a large, population-based cohort

Authors

  • Patrick O. Richard Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Sherbrooke
  • Narhari Timilshina
  • Maria Komisarenko
  • Lisa Martin
  • Ardalan Ahmad
  • Shabbir M.H. Alibhai
  • Robert J. Hamilton
  • Girish Kulkarni
  • Antonio Finelli

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5489/cuaj.6328

Keywords:

Active surveillance; prostate cancer; overtreatment; intermediate-risk

Abstract

Introduction: Active surveillance (AS) is an accepted management strategy for low-risk prostate cancer (PCa), but its role in the management of favorable intermediate-risk PCa remains controversial. Most reports studying the role of AS for these men generally lack long-term followup and include small numbers of patients. Our objective was to report the outcomes of men diagnosed with Gleason grade groups (GGG) 2 and 3 PCa who were managed expectantly.

Methods: Using administrative datasets and pathology reports, we identified all men who were diagnosed with GGG 2 and 3 PCa and managed expectantly between 2002 and 2011 in Ontario, Canada. Outcomes and associated factors were estimated using cumulative incidence function methods and multivariable Cox regression models, respectively.

Results: We identified 926 men who were managed expectantly (AS [n=374] or watchful waiting [n=552]). The eight-year cancer-specific survival was 94% and 89% for the AS and watchful waiting cohorts, respectively. Among AS men, 266 (71%) received treatment after a followup of approximately eight years. Cumulative AS discontinuation rates at one and five years were 30.5% and 65.1%, respectively.

Conclusions: Expectant management of GGG 2 and 3 PCa may be an option for certain men. Notably for AS patients, the cancer-specific mortality at eight years was 6%, and over 65% of men underwent treatment within five years. Further studies are required to evaluate which patients, based on disease-specific features and competing health risks, would benefit most from a conservative strategy.

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Author Biography

Patrick O. Richard, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Sherbrooke

Urology Oncology fellow

Department of surgical oncology, Division of urology

Published

2020-01-20

How to Cite

Richard, P. O., Timilshina, N., Komisarenko, M., Martin, L., Ahmad, A., Alibhai, S. M., Hamilton, R. J., Kulkarni, G., & Finelli, A. (2020). The long-term outcomes of Gleason grade groups 2 and 3 prostate cancer managed by active surveillance: Results from a large, population-based cohort. Canadian Urological Association Journal, 14(6), 174–81. https://doi.org/10.5489/cuaj.6328

Issue

Section

Original Research