Show-Me State Times

Research from the Saint Louis University School of Medicine indicates improvements in survival rates for patients with metastatic prostate cancer over the past two decades. The study links these improvements to new hormonal treatments.

Metastatic prostate cancer, while accounting for 5–10% of all diagnoses, is responsible for nearly half of prostate cancer-related deaths. Since 2015, advancements in hormonal treatment and chemotherapy combined with androgen deprivation therapy have enhanced patient prognosis.

“In the last 10 years, several new therapies have been created that have made a dramatic impact in clinical trials,” said Schoen, lead author of the study. “We wanted to study this in the general population to assess whether these breakthroughs were making its way to them.”

The research analyzed data from two national datasets focusing on men diagnosed with prostate cancer between 2000 and 2019. Schoen's team examined records from SEER (Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results) involving 58,859 men and the Veterans Affairs Central Cancer Registry (VACCR) comprising 14,904 men.

The SEER Program collects cancer incidence and survival data across approximately 48% of the U.S. population. Meanwhile, VACCR gathers information on cancer diagnosis and treatment from 132 VA Medical Centers.

Schoen's research found significant improvement in median overall survival for patients under 70 but noted little change for those over 70 during the same period. Survival rates were similar between SEER and VHA data. Schoen commented on veteran care: "I was pleased the data showed that in prostate cancer care, veteran care is as good or better than the treatment men receive in the general community."

While clinical trials show increased survival due to new treatments, researchers caution against assuming similar results in practice due to older patient demographics with additional health conditions.

Further studies are needed as current research lacks comprehensive data on patients with other medical issues like heart disease or diabetes.

This study received support from several sources including the Prostate Cancer Foundation Igor Tulchinsky, Robert Taubman Sandler – PCF Valor Young Investigator Award, and Department of Defense grant No. W81XWH-22-1-0602.