Is surgery superior to watchful waiting for patients with localized prostate cancer? To answer this question, the investigators performed a randomized trial in men associated with the Veterans Affairs hospital system. They compared 364 men who received radical prostatectomy with 367 men who were observed. Patients who were included in the trial had prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels < 50 ng/mL, were younger than 75 years of age, and were free of metastatic disease. During a median follow-up of 10 years, mortality rate was 47% in operated patients and 49.9% in nonoperated patients (P = .22).
Similar outcomes were observed in analysis of several subgroups of patients. About 20% of operated patients had an adverse event within the first month.
Similar outcomes were observed in analysis of several subgroups of patients. About 20% of operated patients had an adverse event within the first month.
