Keywords:
Genital / Reproductive system male, Oncology, Other, Brachytherapy, Outcomes, Toxicity
Authors:
W. L. Ong, J. Millar
DOI:
10.26044/ranzcr2022/R-0140
Conclusion
This is the first replication study of LAPERS methodology in reporting of long-term patient-reported toxicities in a prostate cancer cohort. We observed considerable differences between LAPERS, prevalence at specified time-point, and cumulative incidence of ’substantial’ symptoms in men with prostate cancer treated with LDR-BT
1. LAPERS is more reflective of ‘true’ late toxicities, considering duration and persistence of symptoms, and should be considered as part of standard reporting for late treatment-related toxicities.
2. Prevalence at specified time-point does not account for changing denominator (e.g., patients lost to follow-up, or patients not getting to the sampling time-point), or duration of the symptoms.
3. Cumulative incidence (‘time-to-first event’ analyses) may overestimate the burden of late toxicities as ephemeral symptoms are interpreted to be present indefinitely.