New method for prostate cancer metastasis prediction
July 2nd, 2009 Posted in prostate cancer diagnosisAccording to cancer experts at Johns Hopkins, a recent study tracking 774 prostate cancer patients for a median of eight years has revealed that a three-way combination of measurements has the best chance yet of predicting disease metastasis.
The new prediction method is based on the following data: the length of time it takes for PSA (prostate-specific antigen) to double, Gleason score (a numeric indicator of prostate cancer aggressiveness as seen under the microscope), and the interval between surgical removal of the prostate and the first detectable PSA level.
Johns Hopkins investigators, concluded that combining these three measurements more accurately estimates risk that the cancer has spread than do other methods and should help determine which patients may benefit from additional therapy when PSA levels rise after prostatectomy. Studies suggest that most men live the same length of time overall whether they receive therapy at the first sign of a rising PSA or wait until the cancer has spread to other sites.
Findings from the study presented at the June 2009 annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) may also help resolve the debate on when and in what form secondary treatments should occur.