Comorbidity assessment in localized prostate cancer: a review of currently available techniques

Pathological nomograms have allowed urologists to make accurate predictions about the behaviour of localized prostate cancers. However, predicting overall outcome and survival is not solely dependent on tumour characteristics; comorbidity is also a vital determinant of outcome The majority of prostate cancers are diagnosed in men over 65 years of age and many will have significant competing comorbid disease that will need to be accounted when considering eligibility for radical treatment. Most urologists currently make an educated guess about the risk posed by comorbid disease. Such an approach has the potential to allow personal bias to influence what should be an objective measure. This review describes the available methods for objectively assessing comorbid risk and assesses their potential utility to men with localized prostate cancer being considered for radical treatment.