Controversies on individualized prostate cancer care: gaps in current practice

Abstract

Prostate cancer (PCa) is a heterogeneous disease with a wide spectrum of aggressiveness. Evidence-based guidelines are invaluable but cannot be expected to be extensive enough to provide detailed guidance on the management of all patients. As such, the use of individualized, risk-adapted approaches to the management of PCa is indispensable. However, wide variation in treatment approaches observed for patients in practice suggests that there is an unmet need to improve the individualized approach towards patient care. A holistic approach that encompasses guidelines and evidence-based medicine could be used to guide individualized care for patients with PCa, from first contact through to final outcomes. As a result of an international expert meeting, this paper proposes this approach and highlights some of the factors that can be considered when aiming to identify patients’ profiles; individualize treatment; and improve communication between patients and the healthcare teams.