In a recent study, men ≥80 years who received external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) for prostate cancer lived longer than those who were observed. Greatest benefits were reported in men with moderate or aggressive disease, and those with few comorbidities. The study also emphasizes the large proportion of men who went untreated after diagnosis.
This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution
Access options
Subscribe to this journal
Receive 12 print issues and online access
$209.00 per year
only $17.42 per issue
Buy this article
- Purchase on Springer Link
- Instant access to full article PDF
Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout
References
Ortman, J. M., Velkoff, V. A. & Hogan, H. An aging nation: the older population in the United States. United States Census Bureau https://www.census.gov/prod/2014pubs/p25-1140.pdf (2016).
Dell'Oglio, P. et al. Survival after conservative management versus external beam radiotherapy in elderly patients with localized prostate cancer. Int. J. Rad. Onc. Biol. Phys. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ijrobp.2016.05.004 (2016).
National Comprehensive Cancer Network. NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology (NCCN Guidelines®). Prostate Cancer. Version 3.2016 https://www.nccn.org/professionals/physician_gls/pdf/prostate.pdf [online].
Sammon, J. D. et al. Predicting life expectance in men diagnosed with prostate cancer. Eur. Urol. 68, 756–765 (2015).
National Comprehensive Cancer Network. NCCN Guidelines®. Older Adult Oncology. Version 1.2016 https://www.nccn.org/professionals/physician_gls/pdf/senior.pdf [online].
Shao, Y. H. et al. Contemporary risk profile of prostate cancer in the United States. J. Natl Cancer Inst. 101, 1280–1283 (2009).
Jemal, A. et al. Prostate cancer incidence and PSA testing patterns in relation to USPSTF screening recommendations. JAMA 314, 2054–2061 (2015).
Sammon, J. D. et al. Prostate-specific antigen screening after 2012 US Preventive Services Task Force Recommendations. JAMA 314, 2077–2079 (2015).
Shoag, J. et al. Decline in prostate cancer screening by primary care physicians: an analysis of trends in the use of digital rectal examination and prostate specific antigen testing. J. Urol. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.juro.2016.03.171 (2016).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Ethics declarations
Competing interests
The authors declare no competing financial interests.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Ryan, S., Sammon, J. Radiotherapy might improve survival, even in the oldest men. Nat Rev Urol 13, 444–445 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1038/nrurol.2016.125
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/nrurol.2016.125
