Curative brachytherapy for prostate cancer in African-Caribbean patients: A retrospective analysis of 370 consecutive cases

Prostate Cancer in the Caribbean: A Baseline Assessment of Current Practices and Potential Needs

Afro-Caribbean men have a higher risk of prostate cancer than any other population of men in the world. However, the Caribbean is composed of a heterogenous group of healthcare systems located on small islands which makes population-based studies difficult to conduct and interpret. The aim of this review is to compile previously published data on the state of prostate cancer in Caribbean men and to highlight potential healthcare needs that can be addressed by public health efforts. We reviewed three databases and identified relevant papers that were subsequently searched by the authors. Peer-reviewed studies published in the English language after 2010 with a focus on prostate cancer diagnosis, management, and outcomes of Caribbean men were prioritized. Afro-Caribbean men were found to have a higher incidence and mortality rate compared to their counterparts. Misperception about the disease, lack of regional guidelines, and poor access to care are compounding factors that result in worse outcomes for these men compared to high-income nations. Urologists and oncologists in the region, while well-trained, are limited in number and in most cases do not offer newer treatment modalities. Overall, only a few island nations have cancer registries, and there remains a significant need for more population-based studies to assess guideline adherence and outcomes. Until further research and investment in the region is made, the disparity between the care received by Afro-Caribbean men and their counterparts will likely remain.

Biochemical outcomes and predictive factors by risk group after permanent iodine-125 seed implantation: Prospective cohort study in 2,316 patients

PURPOSE

To evaluate the biochemical freedom from failure (bFFF) by risk group and treatment modality and the predictive factors of bFFF by risk group in patients with prostate cancer undergoing permanent seed implantation (PI) with or without external beam radiation therapy (EBRT) in a nationwide prospective cohort study (Japanese Prostate Cancer Outcome Study of Permanent Iodine-125 [I-125] Seed Implantation) in Japan during the first 2 years.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

The analyses included 2,316 participants in 42 institutions; bFFF was evaluated using the Phoenix definition and calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method, and the Cox proportional hazards model was used to identify the factors associated with bFFF.

RESULTS

Median followup period was 60.0 months. The 5-year bFFF rates in all patients, 1,028 low-risk patients, 1,114 intermediate-risk patients, and 133 high-risk patients were 93.6%, 94.9%, 92.7%, and 91.1%, respectively. The 5-year bFFF rates in the PI group and EBRT combination therapy group were 93.7% and 93.3%, respectively. In a multivariate analysis, younger age, higher Gleason score (GS), higher percent positive biopsies (%PB), and lower prostate V₁₀₀ (p = 0.0012, 0.0030, 0.0026, and 0.0368) in all patients; younger age, higher pretreatment prostate-specific antigen, and lower prostate V₁₀₀ (p = 0.0002, 0.0048, and 0.0012) in low-risk patients; higher GS, higher %PB, and no hormonal treatment (p = 0.0005, 0.0120, and 0.0022) in intermediate-risk patients; and higher GS and higher %PB (p = 0.0329 and 0.0120) in high-risk patients were significantly associated with bFFF.

CONCLUSIONS

PI with or without EBRT resulted in excellent short-term biochemical outcomes in all risk groups, especially in high-risk patients. Age, pretreatment prostate-specific antigen, and prostate V₁₀₀ in low-risk patients; GS, %PB, and hormonal treatment in intermediate-risk patients; and GS and %PB in high-risk patients were independently affected bFFF.

Pattern of care of prostate cancer patients across the Martinique: results of a population-based study in the Caribbean

BACKGROUND

The French West-Indies rank first for both prostate cancer incidence and mortality rates. Analyzing diagnostic and therapeutic procedures among patients with prostate cancer, using data from a population-based cancer registry, is essential for cancer surveillance and research strategies.

METHODS

This retrospective observational cohort study was based on data from the Martinique Cancer Registry. Records of 452 patients diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2013 were retrieved from the registry. Data extracted were: socio-demographic and clinical characteristics, circumstances of diagnosis, PSA level at diagnosis, Gleason score and risk of disease progression. Stage at diagnosis and patterns of care among prostate cancer patients were analyzed.

RESULTS

Mean age at diagnosis was 67 ± 8 years; 103 (28.5%) were symptomatic at diagnosis. Digital rectal exam was performed in 406 (93.8%). Clinical stage was available in 385 (85.2%); tumours were localized in 322/385 (83.6%). Overall, 17.9% were at low risk, 36.4% at intermediate and 31.9% at high risk; 13.8% were regional/metastatic cancers. Median PSA level at diagnosis was 8.16 ng/mL (range 1.4-5000 ng/mL). A total of 373 patients (82.5%) received at least one treatment, while 79 (17.5%) had active surveillance or watchful waiting. Among patients treated with more than one therapeutic strategy, the most frequent combination was external radiotherapy with androgen deprivation (n = 102, 22.6%).

CONCLUSIONS

This study provides detailed data regarding the quality of diagnosis and management of patients with prostate cancer in Martinique. Providing data on prostate cancer is essential for the development of high-priority public health measures for the Caribbean.

Cohort profile: the Martinique Cancer Registry and the quality of life prostate cancer cohort (QoL Prostate-MQ): challenges and prospects for reducing disparities in the Caribbean

PURPOSE

Recording cancer data in cancer registries is essential for producing reliable population-based data for service planning, monitoring and evaluation. Prostate cancer (PCa) remains the most frequent type of cancer in terms of incidence and mortality in men in the Caribbean. The quality of life PCa cohort will assess quality of life and patient outcomes in Martinique using a digital platform for patient-reported outcome measures.

PARTICIPANTS

The Martinique Cancer Registry database is the largest clinical database among the French population-based cancer registries in the Caribbean, including more than 38 000 cancer cases, with 1650 new cancer cases per year, including 550 new PCa cases per year (2010-2014 latest period). In 2018, follow-up will include vital status, assessment of quality of life with the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire (QLQ) Core 30 and the Prostate cancer module QLQ-PR25. Urinary incontinence and erectile dysfunction recorded prior to treatment will be analysed 1 and 5 years after treatment.

FINDINGS TO DATE

The registry includes data on circumstances of diagnosis, clinical stage at diagnosis. For PCa, the registry includes blood prostate-specific antigen level at the time of diagnosis, Gleason score and primary treatment.

FUTURE PLANS

Further studies will provide detailed data regarding the quality of diagnosis and management of patients with PCa in Martinique; analysing quality of care will be the next challenge.Quality of life and patient outcomes will be evaluated using a digital platform for patient-reported outcome measurement and electronic records.