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New systematic review protocol for adjuvant radiotherapy following radical prostatectomy
A group of Australian researchers this month published the protocol for a review of adjuvant radiotherapy following radical prostatectomy. We would expect the results to appear in about a year or so.
The review is looking at whether radiotherapy, given immediately after radical prostatectomy, can reduce progression or mortality in men with localised prostate cancer.
The reviewers state that there is uncertainty about the best way to treat men after prostatectomy. Although we know that radiotherapy reduces the risk of PSA failure, there is no evidence as yet that it reduces mortality. This review is needed to establish clearly the effectiveness of adjuvant radiotherapy.
Systematic reviews summarise all of the best quality research around a specific topic in order to find a definitive answer. They’re important because they’re the most reliable type of evidence we know of - when they’re done properly.
It’s essential that the review protocol is published in advance of the review so that we can tell there’s been no selective reporting of results. Secondly, systematic reviews must find and include all of the research that’s been done on the topic – not just the ones the authors agree with. Thirdly, they must include the best quality studies, and weed out those that might be biased.
So it’s not a trivial undertaking, and must be done with care. It’s easy to miss important studies that might be unpublished (e.g. due to a lack of “exciting” results). So best of luck toTiffany Daly and her colleagues in the Cochrane Prostatic Diseases and Urologic Cancers Group.
Once the reviewers have completed the review, we’ll include it in our updates
