Dr. Yu Compares Treatment Options for Prostate Cancer

James B. Yu, MD, associate professor, therapeutic oncology, director, Prostate and Genitourinary Cancer Radiotherapy Program, Yale Cancer Center, discusses radiotherapy versus surgery for patients with prostate cancer.

There is no survival difference between active surveillance and local therapy such as surgery and radiation, explains Yu. Quality of life data has recently been reported stating that there is better genitourinary and sexual function with 6 months of radiotherapy compared to surgery.

According to Yu, radiotherapy is the quality of life choice for patients versus surgery. More data will have to be reported to determine which treatment is ultimately the most beneficial for patient with prostate cancer.