Population-based assessment of determining predictors for quality of prostate cancer surveillance

Karim Chamie, Stephen B. Williams, Dawn L. Hershman, Jason D. Wright, Paul L. Nguyen, Jim C. Hu

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

16 Scopus citations

Abstract

BACKGROUND Despite recent interest in the overdiagnosis and overtreatment of prostate cancer, the acceptance of expectant management for patients with indolent prostate cancer has remained slow. Moreover, the intensity of surveillance strategies remains to be elucidated. The objective of this study was to determine the population-based intensity of surveillance strategy among patients diagnosed with localized prostate cancer who undergo watchful waiting/active surveillance and those who receive active treatment. METHODS Linked Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER)-Medicare data were used to identify men diagnosed with prostate cancer from 2004 to 2007 who were followed until December 31, 2009. Bivariate and multivariate regression analyses were used to quantify the use of prostate-specific antigen tests, office visits, and second prostate biopsies within 2 years of diagnosis. RESULTS Compared with patients who were receiving active treatment, those who were undergoing watchful waiting/active surveillance were less likely to receive prostate-specific antigen testing and to attend office visits within the 2 years after diagnosis (P <.01). Of the 3656 patients who were undergoing watchful waiting/active surveillance, only 166 (4.5%) were on active surveillance (according to the authors' a priori definition), although the number increased over the last 2 years of the study (hazard ratio, 2.18; 95% confidence interval, 1.28-3.71; P <.01). Limitations of the study included data limited to men aged 65 years or older and the lack of ability to discern between watchful waiting and active surveillance. CONCLUSIONS Active surveillance is underused, and there is uncertainty regarding the quality of surveillance for patients who undergo watchful waiting/active surveillance. Further research is needed into qualitatively describing the contributing factors that drive decision-making recommendations as well as improved surveillance measures for patients with prostate cancer.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)4150-4157
Number of pages8
JournalCancer
Volume121
Issue number23
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 1 2015
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • prostate cancer
  • quality
  • surveillance
  • treatments
  • use

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Oncology
  • Cancer Research

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Population-based assessment of determining predictors for quality of prostate cancer surveillance'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this