OBJECTIVES

This research compares profiles of 65+ year old men diagnosed with Stage IV prostate cancer, segmented by time from diagnosis to treatment.

METHODS

Data from real-world patient record database (Global Oncology Monitor^©), from 10/2017 to 9/2018 on eligible patients in the US (n=1,328) was included. Physicians randomly selected patients diagnosed with metastatic disease currently on an anti-cancer regimen and extracted data on demographics, disease and treatment patterns. Patients were segmented based on time from diagnosis to first treatment: immediate treatment (≤ 1 month from diagnosis), n=325 and delayed treatment (> 3 months from diagnosis), n=523. Comparisons were made using inferential statistics.

RESULTS

Immediately treated patients were younger than delayed treatment patients with a mean age of 75.7 (vs 77.0; p<0.05). These patients were more likely to have an ECOG performance score of 0-1 (83% vs 76%; p<0.05), a low-risk Gleason assessment score (11% vs 4%; p<0.01) and less likely to suffer from > 2 comorbidities (49% vs 60%; p<0.01). While in better overall health, immediately treated patients were more likely to present > 2 sites of metastases (23% vs 16%; p<0.05), particularly bone metastases (91% vs 83%; p<0.01). In the 1^st line, they were more likely treated with combination therapy (52% vs 25%; p<0.01) in university/teaching hospitals (19% vs 10%; p<0.01) and with greater patient involvement in the treatment decision (p<0.05). Physician reason for selecting initial treatment was based more on new clinical data (18% vs 5%; p<0.01) and reported a higher level of satisfaction.

CONCLUSIONS

Immediately treated patients were younger, in better overall health, and treated in a university/teaching hospital. Compared to delayed treatment patients, their disease has metastasized more and they are more likely to be on a combination therapy in which they had greater involvement in the treatment decision and a higher physician satisfaction with the current regimen.