Unusually large numbers needed to treat for radical prostatectomy in prostate cancer patients with PSA velocity ≤2 ng/ml/year.

Background: The numbers needed to treat (NNT) and the corresponding confidence intervals for patients with prostate cancer and defined annual PSA increases (PSA velocity, PSAV) have not been described previously.

Aim: The objective of this study is to assess NNT, numbers needed to treat to harm and corresponding confidence intervals for radical prostatectomy (RP) in patients with prostate cancer defined as a PSAV ≤2 ng/ml/year.

Methods: NNT following RP were estimated in risk groups defined by PSAV using mortality statistics and hazard ratios obtained in a noncontrolled trial.

Active surveillance or active treatment in localized prostate cancer?

Background: At present, one in six men over age 50 carries the diagnosis of prostate cancer, but only one in 33 will die of the disease. In view of these facts, conservative strategies such as active surveillance (AS) are important in the management of prostate cancer.

Methods: To obtain information on active surveillance, the Medline database was searched from January 2002 to April 2008 for the terms "prostate cancer" OR "prostatic neoplasms," AND "active surveillance" OR "expectant management".

Hormonal therapy in the elderly prostate cancer patient.

Background: Prostatic cancer (PCa) is the most common cancer in men in Germany. The goal of this review is to define the indication for hormonal treatment in patients over age 70.

Methods: A selective search of the literature up to 2008 for the terms "prostate cancer", "androgen suppression and deprivation", "hormone therapy", "LHRH analogs", "antiandrogens", "active surveillance", and "watchful waiting" was performed in the Medline and Cochrane databases.