Treatment Options in Oligometastatic Disease in Prostate Cancer: Thinking Outside the Box

Christopher W Fleming1, James R Broughman2, Rahul D Tendulkar2

  • 1Department of Radiation Oncology, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Taussig Cancer Institute, 9500 Euclid Avenue/CA-50, Cleveland, OH, 44195, USA. fleminc@ccf.org.

Abstract

Insights

Metastatic prostate cancer can present with limited disease volume. An oligometastatic treatment approach, combining systemic therapy and metastasis-directed therapies (MDT), shows significant benefits for select patients.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Urology
  • Medical Imaging

Background:

  • Metastatic prostate cancer often presents with limited disease volume due to indolent progression, sensitive PSA testing, and advanced PET imaging.
  • Oligometastatic disease, defined as up to five metastatic lesions, warrants consideration for specialized treatment approaches.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the current understanding and emerging strategies for managing limited-volume metastatic prostate cancer.
  • To highlight the role of systemic therapy and metastasis-directed therapies (MDT) in oligometastatic prostate cancer.

Main Methods:

  • Review of recent studies and clinical evidence regarding treatment approaches for metastatic prostate cancer.
  • Focus on the integration of androgen deprivation therapy (ADT), systemic agents, and local MDT (radiation, surgery).

Main Results:

  • Systemic therapy is the cornerstone, with potential benefits from adding a second agent to ADT.
  • Integration of systemic therapy with local MDT to the prostate and metastatic sites demonstrates significant benefits.
  • MDT can be utilized to delay systemic therapy initiation in select patients.

Conclusions:

  • An oligometastatic treatment approach is suitable for prostate cancer patients with up to five metastatic lesions.
  • Combining systemic therapy with MDT offers significant advantages.
  • For isolated regional nodal recurrences, whole pelvic radiotherapy or extensive lymphadenectomy with ADT is recommended.