From the FDA Drug Label
The FDA drug label does not answer the question.
From the Research
New Zealand's prostate cancer guidelines recommend PSA testing for men aged 50-70 who request it after being fully informed about benefits and limitations, with a focus on shared decision-making and quality of life considerations. For men with family history of prostate cancer, testing may begin at age 40-45 1. Diagnosis typically involves PSA testing, digital rectal examination, and prostate biopsy if indicated. Treatment options vary based on risk stratification and include active surveillance for low-risk disease, radical prostatectomy, radiation therapy, and hormone therapy for more advanced cases. A recent study found that active surveillance and radical prostatectomy have similar prostate cancer mortality rates at 10 years, with no significant differences in the use of salvage radiotherapy, hormonal therapy, or castration-resistant prostate cancer 2. Another study suggested that brachytherapy and radical prostatectomy are associated with a similar risk of cancer-specific mortality, and both are significantly superior to active surveillance and external beam radiation therapy in terms of cancer-specific mortality 3.
Key Considerations
- Māori men in New Zealand have higher mortality from prostate cancer despite having lower incidence rates, highlighting the need for targeted screening and treatment strategies 1.
- Treatment modalities for Māori and New Zealand European men with localized prostate cancer differ, with Māori men less likely to be treated with radical prostatectomy 4.
- Patient preferences play a significant role in treatment decision-making, with a decision aid helping patients make informed choices about active surveillance, radical prostatectomy, and radiotherapy 5.
Treatment Options
- Active surveillance for low-risk disease
- Radical prostatectomy for intermediate- to high-risk disease
- Radiation therapy for intermediate- to high-risk disease
- Hormone therapy for more advanced cases
- Brachytherapy as an alternative to external beam radiation therapy
Follow-up and Monitoring
- Regular PSA testing every 3-6 months initially, then annually if stable
- Digital rectal examination and prostate biopsy as indicated
- Multidisciplinary care teams to provide comprehensive treatment and support.