Dr. Moul on Impact of Obesity in Active Surveillance

Judd W. Moul, MD, urologic oncologist, Duke Medicine, discusses a recent study that demonstrated the impact of obesity on active surveillance.

The guidelines for following up on active surveillance, such as how often a biopsy should be performed and where molecular markers may fit in, can be challenging, Moul explains. Previous data suggest that, following a radical prostatectomy, obese men have a higher risk of disease recurrence. This study, led by Moul, examined the impact of obesity on men undergoing active surveillance for prostate cancer.

Researchers found that obese men may have a higher risk of disease recurrence on active surveillance. Additionally, their disease could be of a higher grade when analyzed on a repeat biopsy.

Though this is preliminary data, Moul suggests that obese men may not be as ideal candidates for active surveillance as men with a normal body mass index.

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