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Expectant management of stage A‐1 (T1a) prostate cancer utilizing serum PSA levels: A preliminary report
Author(s) -
Loughlin Kevin R.,
Renshaw Andrew A.,
Kumar Sanjaya
Publication year - 1999
Publication title -
journal of surgical oncology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.201
H-Index - 111
eISSN - 1096-9098
pISSN - 0022-4790
DOI - 10.1002/(sici)1096-9098(199901)70:1<49::aid-jso9>3.0.co;2-x
Subject(s) - medicine , prostate cancer , stage (stratigraphy) , cancer , prostate , natural history , rectal examination , prostate specific antigen , gynecology , oncology , surgery , urology , paleontology , biology
Background and Objectives The natural history of stage A‐1 (T1a) prostate cancer remains unpredictable. Although stage A‐1 (T1a) was traditionally considered an indolent lesion, recent reports have documented the potential progression of stage A‐1 (T1a) cancer. Methods Eight men aged 65 to 76 years at the time of diagnosis with stage A‐1 (T1a) prostate cancer received no therapy. These men have been followed from 3 to 9.5 years (mean, 6.25 years). During this period, the patients have been followed with periodic rectal examinations and prostate‐specific antigen (PSA) levels. Results The PSA levels of five of the eight patients remain in the normal range and no patient has had a change in his rectal examination. In the three patients who had elevated PSA levels, there was no evidence of metastatic disease. No patient has died from prostate cancer; one patient died from cerebrovascular causes. Conclusions Patients with stage A‐1 (T1a) prostate cancer have an unpredictable natural history. PSA levels can be used to monitor disease progression and identify those patients where observation is no longer appropriate. J. Surg. Oncol. 1999:70:49–53. © 1999 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.