title: Picking the optimal duration of hormonal therapy in men with high-risk and locally advanced prostate cancer treated with radiotherapy.
abstract: The optimal duration of hormonal therapy when combined with radiation for men with high-risk and locally advanced prostate cancer remains under active study. Based on the results of randomized controlled trials, durations of androgen suppression therapy of at least 6 months have been shown to prolong survival in men with Gleason score 7 prostate cancer, irrespective of clinical stage. For men with locally advanced prostate cancer and 2 high-risk factors (particularly Gleason 8-10 tumors with evidence of extracapsular extension or seminal vesicle invasion on digital rectal examination) or pelvic nodal involvement, longer durations of 28-36 months appear best, although shorter durations (eg, 18 months) remain under study. Trials are also ongoing to determine whether radiation dose escalation and/or nonhormonal agents, such as zoledronic acid and docetaxel, will reduce the need for supplementary androgen suppression therapy.
authors.affiliation: Prostate Cancer Trials Group, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia. Jim.Denham@newcastle.edu.au
authors.forename: James W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Denham
authors.forename: Allison
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Steigler
mesh_terms: D000726:Androgen Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018931:Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy / Q000379:methods; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D012307:Risk Factors; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D000726:Androgen Antagonists; D018931:Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal