Mitchell Benson, MD, the Herbert and Florence Irving Professor at Columbia University Medical Center, New York-Presbyterian Hospital, discusses extensive biopsies in low-risk patients with prostate cancer.

According to a recent study, 30% of low-risk patients who underwent a more extensive biopsy were found to not be good candidates for ongoing active surveillance. Therefore, it is of a great value to confirm that these patients are indeed low-risk.

Benson explains that intermediate-risk patients are already known to not be ideal candidates for ongoing active surveillance. However, in this subset, physicians are assessing comorbidities and other reasons, based upon their life expectancy, for which active surveillance may be an appropriate strategy. 

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Mitchell Benson, MD, the Herbert and Florence Irving Professor at Columbia University Medical Center, New York-Presbyterian Hospital, discusses extensive biopsies in low-risk patients with prostate cancer.


Dr. Benson on Extensive Biopsies for Low-Risk Prostate Cancer

	Mitchell Benson, MD, the Herbert and Florence Irving Professor at Columbia University Medical Center, New York-Presbyterian Hospital, discusses potential issues with active surveillance for patients with intermediate-risk prostate cancer.

	A Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre study of patients with low- or intermediate-risk prostate cancer who were managed with an active surveillance, found that intermediate-risk patients had a lower rate of prostate cancer—specific survival and a higher rate of recurrence when compared to those considered low-risk managed with active surveillance.

	 A single transrectal ultrasonography should not be used to select patients for active surveillance, says Benson. Genomic testing, MRI and more extensive biopsies are needed to give oncologists more reassurance that placing a patient on surveillance is the best course of action.

Mitchell Benson, MD, the Herbert and Florence Irving Professor at Columbia University Medical Center, New York-Presbyterian Hospital, discusses potential issues with active surveillance for patients with intermediate-risk prostate cancer.

Mitchell Benson, MD

Articles

Dr. Benson on Extensive Biopsies for Low-Risk Prostate Cancer

Dr. Benson on Challenges of Active Surveillance for Prostate Cancer