Current Controversies in the Management of Localized Prostate Cancer

PSA as a Marker for Prostate Cancer: A Critical Review

“…Solid cancers are known to release malignant cells into the circulation at an early stage in their growth, yet few of these cells appear to form distant metastases. 56 Furthermore, the presence of these cells in distant organs, such as the bone marrow, may reflect circulatory blood obtained with the sample rather than micrornetastasis." Prospective long-term follow-up of these patients will be required to determine the clinical significance, if any, of these PSA-containing cells distant from the prostate.…”

Facing Progressive Localized Prostatic Cancer

“…In a recently published study [13], the 8-year survival rates following salvage prostatectomy were in the order of 30%. The complication rates were very much higher than in nonirradiated patients undergoing prosta tectomy, with a 3% incidence of rectal fistulae and a 30% incidence of significant incontinence in the irradiated patients.…”

Morbidity in patients with clinically localized prostate cancer managed with non-curative intent. A population-based case–control study

“…16Y 17 The patients in our material represent a subgroup of patients believed to have had a clinically localized PC; further, their life expectancy would have made them candidates for curatively intended therapy. 18,19 When managed expectantly, this group of patients was found to have a signi®cant excess morbidity leading to signi®-cant costs compared to the background population. Our ®ndings demonstrate that these patients endure considerable morbidity related to PC and a signi®cant impact on quality of life must be assumed.…”