Study questions value of prostate cancer surgery

Today's New York Times article about the PIVOT study(Prostate Cancer Intervention Versus Observation Trial)presents important data and once again reiterates the role of watchful waiting in early prostate cancer. The role of PSA testing and intense counseling of early newly diagnosed prostate is of the utmost importance. The need for surgical management needs to be individualized.

ZYTIGA(abiraterone acetate)

An exciting new oral agent has recently become available to treat patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) who have received prior chemotherapy containing docetaxel.

Abiraterone is an androgen biosynthesis inhibitor which acts at 3 sources of testosterone production: the testes, adrenal glands and prostate tumor tissue.

Hopefully, the indications for this once daily 250mg tablet will be expanded to include other patients who never received chemotherapy.