An international multicenter study evaluating the impact of an alternative biochemical failure definition on the judgment of prostate cancer risk.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the impact of an alternative biochemical failure (bF) definition on the performance of existing plus de novo prognostic models. METHODS AND MATERIALS: The outcomes data of 1,458 Australian and 703 Canadian men treated with external-beam radiation monotherapy between 1993 and 1997 were analyzed using a lowest prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level to date plus 2 ng/mL (L + 2) bF definition. Two existing prognostic models were scrutinized using discrimination (Somers Dxy [SDxy]) and calibration indices. Alternative prognostic models were also created using recursive partitioning analysis (RPA) and multivariate nomogram methods for comparison. RESULTS: Discrimination of bF was improved using the L + 2 definition compared with the American Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology (ASTRO) definition using both the three-level risk model (SDxy 0.30 and 0.22, respectively) or the nomogram (SDxy 0.35 and 0.27, respectively). Both existing prognostic models showed only modest calibration accuracy. Using RPA, five distinct risk groups were identified based primarily on Gleason score (GS) and all subsequent divisions based on PSA. All GS 7-10 tumors were intermediate or high risk. This model and the developed nomogram showed improved discrimination over the existing models as well as accurate calibration against the Canadian data, apart from the 30-50% failure region. CONCLUSIONS: The L + 2 definition of bF provides improved capacity for discrimination of failure risk. New prognostic models based on this endpoint have overall statistical performance superior to those based on the ASTRO consensus definition but continue to have unreliable discrimination in the intermediate-risk region.

Australian & New Zealand Faculty of Radiation Oncology Genito-Urinary Group: 2011 consensus guidelines for curative radiotherapy for urothelial carcinoma of the bladder.

Curative radiotherapy, with or without concurrent chemotherapy, is recognized as a standard treatment option for muscle-invasive bladder cancer. It is commonly used for two distinct groups of patients: either for those medically unfit for surgery, or as part of a 'bladder preserving' management plan incorporating the possibility of salvage cystectomy. However, in both situations, the approach to radiotherapy varies widely around the world. The Australian and New Zealand Faculty of Radiation Oncology Genito-Urinary Group recognised a need to develop consistent, evidence-based guidelines for patient selection and radiotherapy technique in the delivery of curative radiotherapy. Following a workshop convened in May 2009, a working party collated opinions and conducted a wide literature appraisal linking each recommendation with the best available evidence. This process was subject to ongoing re-presentation to the Faculty of Radiation Oncology Genito-Urinary Group members prior to final endorsement. These Guidelines include patient selection, radiation target delineation, dose and fractionation schedules, normal tissue constraints and investigational techniques. Particular emphasis is given to the rationale for the target volumes described. These Guidelines provide a consensus-based framework for the delivery of curative radiotherapy for muscle-invasive bladder cancer. Widespread input from radiation oncologists treating bladder cancer ensures that these techniques are feasible in practice. We recommend these Guidelines be adopted widely in order to encourage a uniformly high standard of radiotherapy in this setting, and to allow for better comparison of outcomes.

Outcome, morbidity, and prognostic factors in post-prostatectomy radiotherapy: an Australian multicenter study.

OBJECTIVES: To report the outcome and morbidity data for patients treated with post-prostatectomy radiotherapy (PPRT) in a multicenter collaboration. METHODS: The case records of all patients treated with PPRT from 1996 to 1998 were reviewed. Survival was calculated using Kaplan-Meier methods. Potential prognostic factors were evaluated using the Cox proportional hazards regression model. Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) remission was defined as a PSA level of 0.2 ng/mL or less. Acute and late morbidities were documented. RESULTS: We reviewed the data of 115 patients, with a median follow-up from the start of PPRT of 28.7 months. Patients were treated with adjuvant intent (n = 23), for local recurrence (n = 27), or for a detectable PSA level (n = 65). The overall and cause-specific survival rate at 5 years was 73.7% and 81.4%, respectively. The biochemical disease-free survival rate was 69.6% at 2 years and 50% at 5 years. Factors predicting for subsequent relapse on multivariate analysis were pre-PPRT PSA (P = 0.013) and post-PPRT nadir (P <0.0001). Patients with a PSA greater than 1 ng/mL fared significantly worse than those with lower levels (P <0.0001). For patients with a pretreatment PSA of less than 1 ng/mL and an operative Gleason score of 7 or less, the 5-year projected biochemical disease-free survival rate was 71%. One case of grade 3 late proctitis was recorded, and 4 patients had continued grade 3 late urinary incontinence. CONCLUSIONS: Early use of PPRT is effective and well tolerated in patients at risk of, or with proven, local recurrence.