Perceptions of partial gland ablation for prostate cancer among men on active surveillance: A qualitative study

Objectives –: Partial gland ablation (PGA) therapy is an emerging treatment modality that targets specific areas of biopsy proven prostate cancer (PCa) to minimize treatment-related morbidity by sparing benign prostate. This qualitative study aims to explore and characterize perceptions and attitudes toward PGA in men with very-low-risk, low-risk, and favorable intermediate-risk PCa on active surveillance (AS).

Design –: 92 men diagnosed with very-low-risk, low-risk, and favorable intermediate-risk PCa on AS were invited to participate in semi-structured telephone interviews on PGA.

Setting –: Single tertiary care center located in New York City.

Participants –: 20 men with very-low-risk, low-risk, and favorable intermediate-risk PCa on AS participated in the interviews.

Main outcome measures –: Emerging themes on perceptions and attitudes toward PGA were developed from transcripts inductively coded and analyzed under standardized methodology.

Results –: Four themes were derived from twenty interviews that represent the primary considerations in treatment decision-making: (1) the feeling of psychological safety associated with low-risk disease; (2) preference for minimally invasive treatments; (3) the central role of the physician; (4) and the pursuit of treatment options that align with disease severity. Eleven men (55%) expressed interest in pursuing PGA only if their cancer were to progress, while 9 men (45%) expressed interest at the current moment.

Conclusions –: Though an emerging treatment modality, patients were broadly accepting of PGA for PCa with men primarily debating the risks versus benefits of proactively treating low-risk disease. Additional research on men's preferences and attitudes toward PGA will further guide counseling and shared decision-making for PGA.