This meeting provided an update on prostate cancer basic and clinical research, presented in 18 topics ranging from epidemiology to public education. Multidisciplinary evaluation, discussion and recommendations with decision trees for the practicing physician, provided the framework of the meeting. New technology in markers, new insights in the response criteria and new technology, the artificial neural network, to predict risk and guide the patient-doctor relation were the highlights. Epidemiology - Translational Research. The global public health burden for prostate cancer was re-confirmed, though new possibilities for screening and treatment were noted.
Variations globally prevent general recommendations, at least regarding diet.
Diagnostic Markers and Laboratory Quality Assessment. Serum PSA remains the standard for monitoring and diagnosing prostate cancer. An urgent request goes to the laboratories to instruct clinicians on the performance of the specific PSA test they employ. Another urgent request goes to the urologist to provide all relevant clinical information, especially relevant prior treatment, to the pathologist. The use of Gleason score and WHO nuclear grade is recommended as well as the UICC TNM grading system on whole specimen.