Outcomes of Delayed Radical Prostatectomy During COVID-19
Author Information
Author(s): Arjun Nathan, Chuanyu Gao, Alexander Light, Cameron Alexander, Vinson Chan, Kevin Gallagher, Sinan Khadhouri, Michael Ng, Grant D. Stewart, Veeru Kasivisvanathan
Primary Institution: University College London
Hypothesis
Does delaying radical prostatectomy for more than 90 days affect oncological outcomes compared to scheduled surgery?
Conclusion
Delaying radical prostatectomy does not adversely impact early oncological outcomes across all risk groups.
Supporting Evidence
- High-risk men were prioritized for surgery during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Delaying surgery did not increase the rate of positive surgical margins.
- Upstaging was more common in the delayed surgery group, but this did not affect overall outcomes.
Takeaway
This study found that waiting longer than 90 days for prostate cancer surgery doesn't seem to harm patients, and it might even help them think about their treatment options more.
Methodology
Patients with prostate cancer scheduled for surgery were followed for 1 year, comparing outcomes between those who had surgery within 90 days and those who had surgery after 90 days.
Potential Biases
There may be selection bias due to the prioritization of high-risk patients for surgery.
Limitations
The study is limited by a short follow-up period, which restricts long-term conclusions.
Participant Demographics
The study included men with localized prostate cancer, with a mix of high-risk and intermediate-risk patients.
Statistical Information
P-Value
0.512
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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