Surgery · Urological Surgery (Kidneys, Bladder, Prostate, Urethra, Testis)

The PIVOT trial evaluated radical prostatectomy versus active surveillance in men with localised prostate cancer. Its key finding regarding overall mortality was:

  • A Radical prostatectomy significantly reduced overall mortality across all risk groups
  • B No significant difference in overall mortality between surgery and observation at 12 years for the entire cohort; a subgroup benefit was seen in intermediate/high-risk patients
  • C Active surveillance was superior to surgery in all PSA risk categories
  • D Surgery improved overall survival only in men over 70 years with high Gleason scores
Correct answer: B. No significant difference in overall mortality between surgery and observation at 12 years for the entire cohort; a subgroup benefit was seen in intermediate/high-risk patients

Explanation

The PIVOT (Prostate Cancer Intervention Versus Observation Trial) found no statistically significant difference in overall or prostate cancer-specific mortality between radical prostatectomy and observation in the entire study cohort at 12 years follow-up. However, subgroup analysis suggested a potential benefit for surgery in men with intermediate-risk disease (PSA >10 ng/mL) and high-risk locally advanced tumours. The ProtecT trial similarly found no difference in 10-year cancer-specific mortality. These trials support active surveillance as acceptable for low-risk disease.

Reference: Bailey & Love's Short Practice of Surgery, 27th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

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