Introduction: AS is an established management option for low-risk (LR) PCa and is increasing in intermediate-risk (IR) men although data on outcomes is limited1,2. Our data reports on patterns of care for LR and IR PCa in NSW.
Methods: Data were obtained for 4833 men participating in the PCCR diagnosed with localised PCa by biopsy, from 2015-2018. Participation by specialists and hospitals is voluntary. Primary treatments are recorded for all participants and follow-up data collected where available. The D'Amico classification (cT-stage omitted due to incomplete data) was used to classify LR and IR groups. IR with grade group (GG) 1-2 were sub-classified as favourable-IR and those with GG 3 as unfavourable-IR. Advanced pathology (AP) was defined as an upgrade of GG or stage (extraprostatic disease).
Results: Overall, 3343 cases were classified as either LR or IR. Of 942 LR men, 735 (78.0%) were primarily managed by AS and 140 (14.9%) by radical prostatectomy (RP). Of those managed by AS, 86 (11.7%) progressed to active treatment within 2 years. For those whose primary treatment was RP, 104 (74.3%) had AP. Of 1567 favourable-IR men, 890 (56.8%) had a primary RP - 466 (52.4%) of these cases had AP. Of the 279 (17.8%) managed by AS, 47 (16.8%) progressed to active treatment. Of the 834 unfavourable-IR men, 518 (62.1%) were primarily managed by RP - 323 (62.4%) of these cases had AP. Of the 37 (4.4%) managed by AS, 3 (8.1%) progressed to active treatment.
Conclusion: Overall most LR men were managed by AS. The proportion of AS cases progressing to intervention is low in both LR and favourable-IR groups and negligible for unfavourable-IR men. Where the primary treatment was RP, AP was seen in the prostate specimen in the majority of LR men and half of the favourable-IR men.