Premium
Is the increase in orchiectomy for prostate cancer patients appropriate?
Author(s) -
Chodak Gerald W.
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
cancer
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.052
H-Index - 304
eISSN - 1097-0142
pISSN - 0008-543X
DOI - 10.1002/cncr.23417
Subject(s) - orchiectomy , medicine , prostate cancer , castration , reimbursement , prostate , cancer , patient care , intensive care medicine , hormone therapy , hormone , gynecology , surgery , health care , nursing , breast cancer , economics , economic growth
An increase in the use of bilateral orchiectomy has been observed coinciding with a decrease in the use of lutenizing hormone‐releasing hormone therapy for men who require castration for their prostate cancer. This finding has raised 2 questions: 1) is this good or bad for patients? and 2) are economic factors driving this decision? Currently, it is not possible to conclude that patient care is being compromised without knowing more regarding the clinical factors resulting in this change; however, compromised care is 1 possibility. The other question also cannot be answered; however, changes in reimbursement may contribute partially to this change. Regardless of the reason, the author believes that optimal care of patients dictates an honest and open discussion of the pros and cons for the various options available for castration.