NICE 2019 Guidelines on diagnosis and management of Prostate cancer released
NICE has released its 2019 guidelines on diagnosis and management of Prostate cancer.
Following are the major recommendations:
2. Assessment and diagnosis
Magnetic resonance imaging and biopsy
- Do not routinely offer multiparametric MRI to people with prostate cancer who are not going to be able to have radical treatment. [2019]
- Offer multiparametric MRI as the first-line investigation for people with suspected clinically localised prostate cancer. Report the results using a 5‑point Likert scale. [2019]
- Offer multiparametric MRI-influenced prostate biopsy to people whose Likert score is 3 or more. [2019]
- Consider omitting a prostate biopsy for people whose multiparametric MRI Likert score is 1 or 2, but only after discussing the risks and benefits with the person and reaching a shared decision (see table 1). If a person opts to have a biopsy, offer systematic prostate biopsy. [2019]
Table 1 Factors to consider when discussing the options for people whose multiparametric MRI Likert score is 1 or 2
| Advantages of undergoing prostate biopsy | Disadvantages of undergoing prostate biopsy |
You may have prostate cancer that the MRI scan missed:
| There is no guarantee that a prostate biopsy will find any disease that is there. Prostate biopsies find less than half of the clinically significant prostate cancers that MRI scans miss. |
| You may be diagnosed with clinically insignificant prostate cancer. This is disease that is unlikely to be life-threatening, but will need monitoring and may lead to treatment. Therefore, if someone has prostate cancer that truly is clinically insignificant, it is better not to find it. Between 18 and 23 out of 100 people with a low-risk MRI get a diagnosis of clinically insignificant prostate cancer if they have a prostate biopsy. | |
| The most common type of biopsy, transrectal ultrasound-guided (TRUS), has some rare but important complications. The most serious is sepsis, which develops in a bit less than 1 out of 100 people. Other serious complications, including acute urinary retention, severe haematuria and severe rectal bleeding may need hospitalisation. | |
TRUS biopsy has less serious complications that make it unpleasant to undergo for some people. On average:
| |
| There is more than 1 type of prostate biopsy. The most common approach is TRUS biopsy. The data in this table come from the PROMIS and ProtecT studies, which used TRUS. There are no equivalent data for other types of biopsy. The ranges given in the figures above reflect different definitions of clinically significant prostate cancer(UCL1 and UCL2; see PROMIS publications). | |
- Do not offer mapping transperineal template biopsy as part of an initial assessment, unless as part of a clinical trial. [2019]
- Help people decide whether to have an MRI or prostate biopsy by discussing:
- their prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level
- their digital rectal examination (DRE) findings (including an estimate of prostate size)
- any comorbidities, together with their risk factors (including increasing age and black African-Caribbean family origin)
- any history of a previous negative prostate biopsy.Do not automatically offer a prostate biopsy on the basis of serum PSA level alone. [2008]
- Give people and their partners or carers information, support and adequate time to decide whether or not they wish to have an MRI or prostate biopsy. Explain the risks (including the increased chance of having to live with the diagnosis of clinically insignificant prostate cancer) and benefits. [2008]
- If the clinical suspicion of prostate cancer is high, because of a high PSA value and evidence of bone metastases (identified by a positive isotope bone scan or sclerotic metastases on plain radiographs), do not offer prostate biopsy for histological confirmation unless this is needed as part of a clinical trial. [2008]
- Have a core member of the urological cancer MDT review the risk factors of all people who have had a negative first prostate biopsy. Discuss with the person that:
- there is still a risk that prostate cancer is present and
- the risk is slightly higher if any of the following risk factors are present:
- the biopsy showed high-grade prostatic intra-epithelial neoplasia (HGPIN)
- the biopsy showed atypical small acinar proliferation (ASAP)
- abnormal digital rectal examination. [2014]
If the MRI or biopsy is negative
- For people with a negative biopsy who have an MRI Likert score of 3 or more, discuss the possibility of significant disease in an MDT meeting with a view to repeating the prostate biopsy. [2019]
- For people who have a raised PSA and MRI Likert score of 1 or 2, and who have not had a prostate biopsy, repeat PSA test at 3 to 6 months and:
- offer prostate biopsy if there is a strong suspicion of prostate cancer (for example, PSA density greater than 0.15 ng/ml/ml or PSA velocity greater than 0.75 ng/year, or strong family history), taking into account their life expectancy and comorbidities
- discharge the person to primary care if the level of suspicion is low; advise PSA follow‑up at 6 months and then every year, and set a PSA level for primary care at which to re‑refer based on PSA density (0.15 ng/ml/ml) or velocity (0.75 ng/year). [2019]
- For people who have a raised PSA, an MRI Likert score of 1 or 2 (or a contraindication to MRI), and negative biopsy, repeat PSA at 3 to 6 months and:
- offer prostate biopsy if there is a strong suspicion of prostate cancer (for example, PSA density greater than 0.15 ng/ml/ml or PSA velocity greater than 0.75 ng/year, or strong family history), taking into account their life expectancy and comorbidities
- discharge the person to primary care if the level of suspicion is low; advise PSA follow‑up every 2 years, and set a PSA level for primary care at which to re‑refer, based on PSA density (0.15 ng/ml/ml) or velocity (0.75 ng/year). [2019]
- The PROGENSA PCA3 assay and the Prostate Health Index is not recommended in people having investigations for suspected prostate cancer who have had a negative or inconclusive prostate biopsy. [2019]
Staging
- Offer isotope bone scans when hormonal therapy is being deferred as part of watchful waiting to asymptomatic people who are at high risk of developing bone complications. [2008]
- Consider CT for people with histologically proven prostate cancer for whom MRI is contraindicated if knowledge of the T or N stage could affect management. [2014]
- Urological cancer MDTs should assign a risk category (see table 2) to all newly diagnosed people with localised prostate cancer. [2008]
Table 2 Risk stratification for people with localised prostate cancer
| Level of risk | PSA | Gleason score | Clinical stage | ||
| Low risk | <10 ng/ml | and | ≤6 | and | T1 to T2a |
| Intermediate risk | 10–20 ng/ml | or | 7 | or | T2b |
| High risk1 | >20 ng/ml | or | 8–10 | or | ≥T2c |
| Abbreviation: PSA, prostate-specific antigen. 1 High-risk localised prostate cancer is also included in the definition of locally advanced prostate cancer. | |||||
- Do not routinely offer isotope bone scans to people with low-risk localised prostate cancer. [2008]
3. Localised and locally advanced prostate cancer
- Before radical treatment, explain to people and, if they wish, their partner, that radical treatment for prostate cancer will result in an alteration of sexual experience, and may result in loss of sexual function. [2008, amended 2014]
- Explain to people and, if they wish, their partner, about the potential loss of ejaculation and fertility associated with radical treatment for prostate cancer. Offer sperm storage. [2008, amended 2014]
- Warn people undergoing radical treatment for prostate cancer of the likely effects of the treatment on their urinary function. [2008, amended 2014]
- Offer a urological assessment to people who have troublesome urinary symptoms before treatment. [2008]
- People with prostate cancer who are candidates for radical treatment should have the opportunity to discuss the range of treatment modalities and their serious side effects in relation to their treatment options with a specialist surgical oncologist and a specialist clinical oncologist. [2008]
- Explain to people that there is a small increase in the risk of colorectal cancer after radical external beam radiotherapy for prostate cancer. [2014]
Low-risk localised prostate cancer
- Offer a choice between active surveillance, radical prostatectomy or radical radiotherapy to people with low-risk localised prostate cancer for whom radical treatment is suitable. Use table 3 to discuss the benefits and harms with them. [2019]
Table 3 Factors to consider when discussing active surveillance, radical prostatectomy or radical radiotherapy as treatment options for people with low-risk or intermediate-risk localised prostate cancer, using evidence from a large UK trial
| What are the treatment options for people with localised prostate cancer? | There are 3 options for treatment:
|
| Effects on survival and disease progression at 10 years | |
| What effect does each treatment option have on survival? | The evidence does not show a difference in the number of deaths from prostate cancer among people offered active surveillance, prostatectomy or radical radiotherapy. People who had not died of prostate cancer were:
|
| What effect does each treatment option have on disease progressionb? | There is good evidence that both prostatectomy and radiotherapy reduce disease progression compared with active surveillance. Signs of disease progression were reported in:
|
| What effect does each treatment option have on the rate of development of distant metastases? | There is good evidence that both prostatectomy and radiotherapy reduce the rate of development of distant metastases compared with active surveillance. Distant metastases were developed in:
|
| Potential side effects of treatment | |
| What effect does each treatment option have on urinary function? | There is some evidence that urinary function is better for people offered active surveillance or radiotherapy than those offered prostatectomy. |
| Problems with urinary continence: At 6 months, problems were reported in:
At 6 years, problems were reported in:
| |
| Moderate to severe urinary incontinence problems: At 6 months, problems were reported in:
At 6 years, problems were reported in:
| |
| What effect does each treatment option have on erectile dysfunction? | There is some limited evidence that sexual function is better for people offered active surveillance or radiotherapy than those offered prostatectomy. |
| Erectile dysfunction, moderate or severe problems: At 6 months, problems were reported in:
At 6 years, problems were reported in:
| |
| What effect does each treatment option have on bowel function? | There is some evidence that bowel function is better for people offered active surveillance or prostatectomy than those offered radiotherapy in the short term. |
| Problems with faecal incontinence more than once per week: At 6 months, problems were reported in:
At 6 years, problems were reported in:
| |
| Moderate to severe impact of bowel habits on quality of life: At 6 months, it was reported in:
At 6 years, it was reported in:
| |
| a The trial used the intention-to-treat method of analysis and some of the patients in the active surveillance arm may therefore have undergone prostatectomy or radiotherapy during the follow‑up period. b The trial defined disease progression as:
Disease progression was suspected if there was:
| |
Multiparametric MRI and protocol for active surveillance
- Offer multiparametric MRI to people having active surveillance who have not had an MRI previously. If the MRI results do not agree with the biopsy findings, offer a new MRI-influenced biopsy. [2019]
- Consider using the protocol in table 4 for people who have chosen active surveillance. [2019]
Table 4 Protocol for active surveillance
| Timing | Tests a |
| Year 1 of active surveillance | Every 3 to 4 months: measure prostate-specific antigen (PSA)b Throughout active surveillance: monitor PSA kineticsc At 12 months: digital rectal examination (DRE)d At 12 to 18 months: multiparametric MRI |
| Year 2 and every year thereafter until active surveillance ends | Every 6 months: measure PSAb Throughout active surveillance: monitor PSA kineticsc Every 12 months: DREd |
| a If there is concern about clinical or PSA changes at any time during active surveillance, reassess with multiparametric MRI and/or re‑biopsy. b Could be carried out in primary care if there are agreed shared-care protocols and recall systems. c Could include PSA density and velocity. d Should be performed by a healthcare professional with expertise and confidence in performing DRE. In a large UK trial that informed this protocol, DREs were carried out by a urologist or a nurse specialist. | |
- If a person wishes to move from active surveillance to radical treatment at any stage in their care, make a shared decision to do so based on the person's preferences, comorbidities, and life expectancy. [2019]
- Offer radical treatment to people with localised prostate cancer who had chosen an active surveillance regimen and who now have evidence of disease progression. [2019]
Intermediate-risk localised prostate cancer
- For people with intermediate-risk localised prostate cancer:
- offer radical prostatectomy or radical radiotherapy and
- consider active surveillance for people who choose not to have immediate radical treatment.Use table 3 to discuss the benefits and harms of each option. [2019]
High-risk localised prostate cancer
- Do not offer active surveillance to people with high-risk localised prostate cancer. [2019]
- Offer radical prostatectomy or radical radiotherapy to people with high-risk localised prostate cancer when it is likely the person's cancer can be controlled in the long term. [2019]
Radical treatment
- Commissioners of urology services should consider providing robotic surgery to treat localised prostate cancer. [2014]
- Commissioners should base robotic systems for the surgical treatment of localised prostate cancer in centres that are expected to perform at least 150 robot-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomies per year to ensure they are cost effective. [2014]
- For people having radical external beam radiotherapy for localised prostate cancer:
- offer hypofractionated radiotherapy (60 Gy in 20 fractions) using image-guided intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) unless contraindicated or
- offer conventional radiotherapy (74 Gy in 37 fractions) to people who cannot have hypofractionated radiotherapy. [2019]
- Offer people with localised and locally advanced prostate cancer receiving radical external beam radiotherapy with curative intent planned treatment techniques that optimise the dose to the tumour while minimising the risks of normal tissue damage. [2008]
- Offer people with intermediate- and high-risk localised prostate cancer a combination of radical radiotherapy and androgen deprivation therapy, rather than radical radiotherapy or androgen deprivation therapy alone. [2014]
- Offer people with intermediate- and high-risk localised prostate cancer 6 months of androgen deprivation therapy before, during or after radical external beam radiotherapy. [2014]
- Consider continuing androgen deprivation therapy for up to 3 years for people with high-risk localised prostate cancer, and discuss the benefits and risks of this option with them. [2014]
- Consider brachytherapy in combination with external beam radiotherapy for people with intermediate- and high-risk localised prostate cancer. [2019]
- Do not offer brachytherapy alone to people with high-risk localised prostate cancer. [2008]
- Discuss the option of docetaxel chemotherapy with people who have newly diagnosed non-metastatic prostate cancer who:
- are starting long-term androgen deprivation therapy and
- have no significant comorbidities and
- have high-risk disease, as shown by:
- T3/T4 staging or
- Gleason score 8 to 10 or
- PSA greater than 40 ng/ml.Explain the benefits and harms (see table 5) and make a shared decision about whether the person should have this treatment. [2019]
- For people having docetaxel chemotherapy:
- start treatment within 12 weeks of starting androgen deprivation therapy
- use six 3‑weekly cycles at a dose of 75 mg/m2 (with or without daily prednisolone). [2019]
- Do not offer high-intensity focused ultrasound and cryotherapy to people with localised prostate cancer, other than in the context of controlled clinical trials comparing their use with established intervention. [2008]
Table 5 Factors to consider when discussing the option of docetaxel chemotherapy for people with high-risk, non-metastatic prostate cancer
| What does treatment with docetaxel involve? | Docetaxel chemotherapy is given at 6 appointments, each 3 weeks apart. It is given as an intravenous infusion that takes about 1 hour. |
| What are the benefits of docetaxel treatment for people with high-risk, non-metastatic prostate cancer? |
|
| What are the risks associated with docetaxel treatment? | A large UK randomised trial found that:
|
| a James ND, Sydes MR, Clarke NW et al. (2016) Addition of docetaxel, zoledronic acid, or both to first-line long-term hormone therapy in prostate cancer (STAMPEDE): survival results from an adaptive, multiarm, multistage, platform randomised controlled trial. Lancet 387(10024): 1163–77. | |
Watchful waiting
- People with localised prostate cancer who have chosen watchful waiting and who have evidence of significant disease progression (that is, rapidly rising PSA level or bone pain) should have their situation reviewed by a member of the urological cancer MDT. [2008]
Locally advanced prostate cancer
- Consider pelvic radiotherapy for people with locally advanced prostate cancer who have a higher than 15% risk of pelvic lymph node involvement and who are to receive neoadjuvant hormonal therapy and radical radiotherapy. [2008]
- Do not offer immediate post-operative radiotherapy after radical prostatectomy, even to people with the margin-positive disease, other than in the context of a clinical trial. [2008]
- Do not offer adjuvant hormonal therapy in addition to radical prostatectomy, even to people with margin-positive disease, other than in the context of a clinical trial. [2008]
- Do not offer high-intensity focused ultrasound and cryotherapy to people with locally advanced prostate cancer other than in the context of controlled clinical trials comparing their use with established interventions. [2008]
- Do not offer bisphosphonates for the prevention of bone metastases in people with prostate cancer. [2008]
Managing adverse effects of radical treatment
Sexual dysfunction
- Offer people who have had radical treatment for prostate cancer access to specialist erectile dysfunction services. [2008, amended 2014]
- Offer people with prostate cancer who experience loss of erectile function phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitors to improve their chance of spontaneous erections. [2008]
- If PDE5 inhibitors do not restore erectile function or are contraindicated, offer people vacuum devices, intraurethral inserts or penile injections, or penile prostheses as an alternative. [2008]
Urinary incontinence
- Ensure that people with prostate cancer who have troublesome urinary symptoms after treatment have access to specialist continence services for assessment, diagnosis and conservative treatment. This could include coping strategies, pelvic floor muscle re-education, bladder retraining and pharmacotherapy. [2008]
- Refer people with prostate cancer who have intractable stress incontinence to a specialist surgeon for consideration of an artificial urinary sphincter. [2008]
- Do not offer injection of bulking agents into the distal urinary sphincter to treat stress incontinence in people with prostate cancer. [2008]
Radiation-induced enteropathy
- Offer people with signs or symptoms of radiation-induced enteropathy care from a team of professionals with expertise in radiation-induced enteropathy (who may include oncologists, gastroenterologists, bowel surgeons, dietitians and specialist nurses). [2014]
- Include the nature and treatment of radiation-induced enteropathy in training programmes for oncologists and gastroenterologists. [2014]
- Carry out full investigations, including flexible sigmoidoscopy, in people who have symptoms of radiation-induced enteropathy to exclude inflammatory bowel disease or malignancy of the large bowel and to ascertain the nature of the radiation injury. Use caution when performing anterior wall rectal biopsy after brachytherapy because of the risk of fistulation. [2014]
Follow-up for people with localised or locally advanced prostate cancer having radical treatment or on watchful waiting
- A urologist or specialist nurse should discuss the purpose, duration, frequency and location of follow‑up with each person with localised and locally advanced prostate cancer, and if they wish, their partner or carers. [2019]
- A urologist or specialist nurse should advise people with prostate cancer about potential longer-term adverse effects of treatment and when and how to report them. [2019]
- Check PSA levels for all people with prostate cancer who are having radical treatment no earlier than 6 weeks after treatment, at least every 6 months for the first 2 years, and then at least once a year after that. [2019]
- Do not routinely offer digital rectal examination to people with localised prostate cancer who are not on active surveillance while their PSA remains at baseline levels. [2019]
- After at least 6 months' initial follow‑up, consider a remote follow‑up strategy for people with a stable PSA who have had no significant treatment complications, unless they are taking part in a clinical trial that needs formal clinic-based follow‑up. [2019]
- Follow up people with prostate cancer who have chosen a watchful waiting regimen with no curative intent in primary care only if protocols for this have been agreed between the local urological cancer MDT and the relevant primary care organisation(s). Measure their PSA at least once a year. [2019]
Managing relapse after radical treatment
- Analyse serial PSA levels after radical treatment using the same assay technique as used before. [2008]
- Do not offer biopsy of the prostatic bed to people with prostate cancer who have had a radical prostatectomy. [2008]
- Only offer biopsy of the prostate after radiotherapy to people with prostate cancer who might have local salvage therapy in the context of a clinical trial. [2008]
- For people with evidence of biochemical relapse after radical treatment who are thinking about having radical salvage therapy:
- do not offer routine MRI scanning before salvage radiotherapy in people with prostate cancer
- offer an isotope bone scan if symptoms or PSA trends are suggestive of metastases. [2008]
- Take into account that biochemical relapse (a rising PSA) alone should not mean an immediate change in treatment is needed. [2008]
- Estimate PSA doubling time if biochemical relapse occurs. Base this on a minimum of 3 measurements over at least a 6‑month period. [2008]
- Offer people with biochemical relapse after radical prostatectomy, with no known metastases, radical radiotherapy to the prostatic bed. [2008]
- Consider entry to appropriate clinical trials for people with biochemical relapse. [2008]
- Do not routinely offer hormonal therapy to people with prostate cancer who have a biochemical relapse unless they have:
- symptomatic local disease progression or
- any proven metastases or
- a PSA doubling time of less than 3 months. [2008]
4. People having hormone therapy
- Consider intermittent therapy for people having long-term androgen deprivation therapy (not in the adjuvant setting). Discuss with the person (and their partner, family or carers if they wish):
- the rationale for intermittent therapy
- the limited evidence for reduction in side effects from intermittent therapy
- the effect of intermittent therapy on progression of prostate cancer. [2014]
- For people who are having intermittent androgen deprivation therapy:
- measure PSA every 3 months and
- restart androgen deprivation therapy if PSA is 10 ng/ml or above, or if there is symptomatic progression. [2014]
Managing adverse effects of hormone therapy
Hot flushes
- Offer medroxyprogesterone (20 mg per day), initially for 10 weeks, to manage troublesome hot flushes caused by long-term androgen suppression. Evaluate the effect at the end of the treatment period. [2014]
- Consider cyproterone acetate (50 mg twice a day for 4 weeks) to treat troublesome hot flushes if medroxyprogesterone is not effective or not tolerated. [2014]
- Tell people that there is no good-quality evidence for the use of complementary therapies to treat troublesome hot flushes. [2014]
Sexual dysfunction
- Before they start androgen deprivation therapy, tell people and, if they wish, their partner, that long-term androgen deprivation will cause a reduction in libido and possible loss of sexual function. [2014]
- Advise people and, if they wish, their partner, about the potential loss of ejaculation and fertility associated with long-term androgen deprivation and offer sperm storage. [2014]
- Ensure that people starting androgen deprivation therapy have access to specialist erectile dysfunction services. [2014]
- Consider referring people who are having long-term androgen deprivation therapy, and their partners, for psychosexual counselling. [2014]
- Offer PDE5 inhibitors to people having long-term androgen deprivation therapy who experience loss of erectile function. [2014]
- If PDE5 inhibitors fail to restore erectile function or are contraindicated, offer a choice of:
- intraurethral inserts
- penile injections
- penile prostheses
- vacuum devices. [2014]
Osteoporosis
- Do not routinely offer bisphosphonates to prevent osteoporosis in people with prostate cancer having androgen deprivation therapy. [2008]
- Consider assessing fracture risk in people with prostate cancer who are having androgen deprivation therapy, in line with the NICE guideline on osteoporosis: assessing the risk of fragility fracture. [2014]
- Offer bisphosphonates to people who are having androgen deprivation therapy and have osteoporosis. [2014]
- Consider denosumab for people who are having androgen deprivation therapy and have osteoporosis if bisphosphonates are contraindicated or not tolerated. [2014]
Gynaecomastia
- For people starting long-term bicalutamide monotherapy (longer than 6 months), offer prophylactic radiotherapy to both breast buds within the first month of treatment. Use a single fraction of 8 Gy using orthovoltage, or electron beam radiotherapy. [2008]
- If radiotherapy does not prevent gynaecomastia, consider weekly tamoxifen. [2008]
Fatigue
- Tell people who are starting androgen deprivation therapy that fatigue is a recognised side effect of this therapy, and might not be because of their prostate cancer. [2014]
- Offer people who are starting or having androgen deprivation therapy supervised resistance and aerobic exercise at least twice a week for 12 weeks to reduce fatigue and improve quality of life. [2014]
5. Metastatic prostate cancer
Information and support
- Offer people with metastatic prostate cancer tailored information and access to specialist urology and palliative care teams to address their specific needs. Give them the opportunity to discuss any significant changes in their disease status or symptoms as these occur. [2008]
- Integrate palliative interventions at any stage into coordinated care, and facilitate any transitions between care settings as smoothly as possible. [2008]
- Discuss personal preferences for palliative care as early as possible with people with metastatic prostate cancer, their partners and carers. Tailor treatment/care plans accordingly, and identify the preferred place of care. [2008]
- Ensure that palliative care is available when needed and is not limited to the end of life. Care should not be restricted to being associated with hospice care. [2008]
- Offer a regular assessment of needs to people with metastatic prostate cancer. [2008]
Treatment
- Offer docetaxel chemotherapy to people with newly diagnosed metastatic prostate cancer who do not have significant comorbidities as follows:
- start treatment within 12 weeks of starting androgen deprivation therapy and
- use six 3‑weekly cycles at a dose of 75 mg/m2 (with or without daily prednisolone). [2019]
- Offer bilateral orchidectomy to all people with metastatic prostate cancer as an alternative to continuous luteinising hormone-releasing hormone agonist therapy. [2008]
- Do not offer combined androgen blockade as a first-line treatment for people with metastatic prostate cancer. [2008]
- For people with metastatic prostate cancer who are willing to accept the adverse impact on overall survival and gynaecomastia with the aim of retaining sexual function, offer anti-androgen monotherapy with bicalutamide (150 mg). [2008]
- Begin androgen deprivation therapy and stop bicalutamide treatment in people with metastatic prostate cancer who are taking bicalutamide monotherapy and who do not maintain satisfactory sexual function. [2008]
Hormone-relapsed metastatic prostate cancer
Recommendations in this section marked with an asterisk (*) are from the NICE technology appraisal guidance on docetaxel for the treatment of hormone-refractory metastatic prostate cancer.
- Discuss the treatment options for people with prostate cancer who develop biochemical evidence of hormone-relapsed disease at the urological cancer MDT. Seek an oncologist and/or specialist palliative care opinion, as appropriate. [2008]
- Docetaxel is recommended, within its licensed indications, as a treatment option for people with hormone-refractory prostate cancer only if their Karnofsky performance-status score is 60% or more. [2008]*
- It is recommended that treatment with docetaxel should be stopped:
- at the completion of planned treatment of up to 10 cycles or
- if severe adverse events occur or
- in the presence of progression of disease as evidenced by clinical or laboratory criteria, or by imaging studies. [2008]*
- Repeat cycles of treatment with docetaxel are not recommended if the disease recurs after completion of the planned course of chemotherapy. [2008]*
- Offer a corticosteroid such as dexamethasone (0.5 mg daily) as third-line hormonal therapy after androgen deprivation therapy and anti-androgen therapy to people with hormone-relapsed prostate cancer. [2008]
- Offer spinal MRI to people with hormone-relapsed prostate cancer shown to have extensive metastases in the spine (for example, on a bone scan) if they develop any spinal-related symptoms. [2008]
- Do not routinely offer spinal MRI to all people with hormone-relapsed prostate cancer and known bone metastases. [2008]
- For advice on treatments for metastatic hormone-relapsed prostate cancer previously treated with docetaxel, see the NICE technology appraisal guidance on:
- abiraterone for castration-resistant metastatic prostate cancer previously treated with a docetaxel-containing regimen
- enzalutamide for metastatic hormone-relapsed prostate cancer previously treated with a docetaxel-containing regimen. [2019]
Bone-targeted therapies
- For people with hormone-relapsed metastatic prostate cancer, consider zoledronic acid to prevent or reduce skeletal-related events. [2019]
- Consider oral or intravenous bisphosphonates for pain relief for people with hormone-relapsed metastatic prostate cancer when other treatments, including analgesics and palliative radiotherapy, have not given satisfactory pain relief. [2019]
- For guidance on treatments for people with bone metastases from prostate cancer, see the NICE technology appraisal guidance on radium-223 dichloride. [2019]
Pelvic-targeted therapies
- Offer decompression of the upper urinary tract by percutaneous nephrostomy or by insertion of a double J stent to people with obstructive uropathy secondary to hormone-relapsed prostate cancer. [2008]
- Discuss the option of no intervention as a treatment choice with people with obstructive uropathy secondary to hormone-relapsed prostate cancer. [2008]
For more details click on the link: www.nice.org.uk
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