Prostate cancer treatment

NEW YORK, June 28 (Praxis Press) Many treatment options are available for men with prostate cancer but therapeutic recommendations may vary depending on the type of specialist they consult. Fowler and colleagues attempted to define and contrast the distribution of prostate cancer management recommendations given by urologists and radiation oncologists (see paper). To perform the study they mailed a survey to a random sample of physicians in the United States, who were listed as urologists (response rate 64%, n=504) and radiation oncologists (response rate 76%, n=559) in the American Medical Association Registry of Physicians and practicing at least 20 hours per week. They found that each of the specialists overwhelmingly recommended the therapy that they themselves deliver. Urologists and radiation oncologists agree on a variety of issues regarding detection and treatment of prostate cancer but are swayed to a type of treatment based on their specialty.