Prostate cancer is a common type of cancer in men, with more than 174,000 new cases diagnosed in the United States every year. It is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in men, with approximately 31,600 deaths in 2019.

Given its prevalence, prostate cancer is an important topic in medical research.

Background

The initial multicenter study on prostate cancer aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of various treatments, such as surgery and radiation therapy, for prostate cancer.

This study was conducted between 1986 and 1992 and was organized by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC).

Methodology

The study involved more than 2,000 patients from 15 different countries. These patients were randomly allocated to one of three treatment groups: surgery, external radiation therapy, or implantation of radioactive seeds (brachytherapy).

The patients were followed for up to 10 years to evaluate the effectiveness of the treatments and to monitor for potential adverse effects.

Results

The study found that all three treatments were effective in controlling the growth and spread of prostate cancer. However, surgery was found to be the most effective treatment, with a 10-year survival rate of 81%.

External radiation therapy had a 10-year survival rate of 78%, while brachytherapy had a 10-year survival rate of 67%.

In terms of adverse effects, urinary incontinence and impotence were the most common complications associated with surgery. These complications occurred in 6% and 18% of patients, respectively.

Patients who underwent radiation therapy also experienced urinary incontinence and impotence, but at lower rates than patients who underwent surgery.

Limitations

One limitation of this study was that it did not include patients with advanced or metastatic prostate cancer. Therefore, the results may not be applicable to these patient populations.

Additionally, the study did not evaluate the effectiveness of newer treatments, such as hormone therapy or chemotherapy, for prostate cancer.

Conclusion

The initial multicenter study on prostate cancer provided valuable information regarding the effectiveness and associated adverse effects of different treatment options for prostate cancer.

Surgery was found to be the most effective treatment for controlling prostate cancer, but it was associated with a higher risk of adverse effects compared to radiation therapy.