Long-Term Outcomes in Patients Using Protocol-Directed Active Surveillance for Prostate Cancer.

Key Points: Question: What are the long-term outcomes for patients with prostate cancer whose cases are managed with protocol-directed active surveillance? Findings: In this multicenter cohort study that included 2155 individuals with a median follow-up time of 7.2 years, the 10-year incidence of upgrading at biopsy and definitive treatment were 43% and 49%, respectively. The 10-year incidence of metastasis or prostate cancer mortality were 1.4% and 0.1%, respectively. There was no significant difference in adverse outcomes in men treated within the first 2 years of surveillance vs later on. Meaning: Protocol-directed active surveillance is a safe management strategy for avoiding overtreatment and preventing undertreatment. Importance: Outcomes from protocol-directed active surveillance for favorable-risk prostate cancers are needed to support decision-making. Objective: To characterize the long-term oncological outcomes of patients receiving active surveillance in a multicenter, protocol-directed cohort. Design, Setting, and Participants: The Canary Prostate Active Surveillance Study (PASS) is a prospective cohort study initiated in 2008. A cohort of 2155 men with favorable-risk prostate cancer and no prior treatment were enrolled at 10 North American centers through August 2022. Exposure: Active surveillance for prostate cancer. Main Outcomes and Measures: Cumulative incidence of biopsy grade reclassification, treatment, metastasis, prostate cancer mortality, overall mortality, and recurrence after treatment in patients treated after the first or subsequent surveillance biopsies. Results: Among 2155 patients with localized prostate cancer, the median follow-up was 7.2 years, median age was 63 years, 83% were White, 7% were Black, 90% were diagnosed with grade group 1 cancer, and median prostate-specific antigen (PSA) was 5.2 ng/mL. Ten years after diagnosis, the incidence of biopsy grade reclassification and treatment were 43% (95% CI, 40%-45%) and 49% (95% CI, 47%-52%), respectively. There were 425 and 396 patients treated after confirmatory or subsequent surveillance biopsies (median of 1.5 and 4.6 years after diagnosis, respectively) and the 5-year rates of recurrence were 11% (95% CI, 7%-15%) and 8% (95% CI, 5%-11%), respectively. Progression to metastatic cancer occurred in 21 participants and there were 3 prostate cancer–related deaths. The estimated rates of metastasis or prostate cancer–specific mortality at 10 years after diagnosis were 1.4% (95% CI, 0.7%-2%) and 0.1% (95% CI, 0%-0.4%), respectively; overall mortality in the same time period was 5.1% (95% CI, 3.8%-6.4%). Conclusions and Relevance: In this study, 10 years after diagnosis, 49% of men remained free of progression or treatment, less than 2% developed metastatic disease, and less than 1% died of their disease. Later progression and treatment during surveillance were not associated with worse outcomes. These results demonstrate active surveillance as an effective management strategy for patients diagnosed with favorable-risk prostate cancer. This prospective, multicenter cohort study evaluates the long-term outcomes of men diagnosed with favorable-risk prostate cancer managed with protocol-directed active surveillance, including regular biopsies and prostate-specific antigen screening, from 2008 to 2022. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]