In research recently accepted for publication in the British Journal of Urology International, Dr Stricker – as part of a team of Australian health professionals at the Garvan Institute of Medical Research and St Vincents Prostate Cancer Centre – looked at the way in which the type of cancer at the edges of a removed tumour effect the cancer re-occurrence rate and may guide future treatments. Drs James Kench and Dr Richard Savdie were senior authors whilst Dr Stricker treated the majority of patients.
Recurrent prostate cancer takes place in 30 to 35% of patients with positive margins – that is edges of the removed tumour that show cancer cells. Despite much research highlighting factors that indicate what is known as ‘margin-positive prostate cancer, limited data is available on the significance of Gleason grade and its impact on the cancers positive margin.
The research highlights the need to assess Gleason grade at the site of positive margin as this may assist optimal selection of additional therapies, such as radiotherapy, in the individuals fight against prostate cancer,’ explains Dr Stricker.
Focusing on 940 patients who underwent radical prostatectomy between 1997 and 2003, the study works to bridge current gaps in the evidence-based management or care of men with prostate cancer.
The study is titled High Gleason grade carcinoma at a positive surgical margin predicts biochemical failure after radical prostatectomy and may guide adjuvant radiotherapy and the paper is available through the British Journal of Urology International.