20th annual edition of NCCN Guidelines for Prostate Cancer published

The National Comprehensive Cancer Network® (NCCN®) has published the 20th annual edition of the NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology (NCCN Guidelines®) for Prostate Cancer—one of the eight original NCCN Guidelines® published in November 1996.

"We have made an incredible amount of progress in the diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer since the NCCN Guidelines were published in 1996," said James L. Mohler, MD, Associate Director for Translational Research, Chair, Department of Urology, and Professor of Oncology, Roswell Park Cancer Institute; and NCCN Guidelines Panel Chair for Prostate Cancer. "The death rate for men with prostate cancer has fallen from approximately 40,000 to 29,000, and the evolution of the NCCN Guidelines for Prostate Cancer has contributed significantly to that trend."

Dr. Mohler, who has been a member of the NCCN Guidelines Panels for Prostate Cancer and Prostate Cancer Early Detection since 2005 and 2003, respectively, notes that life expectancy estimation for men with prostate cancer has had a transformative effect on treatment. Today, NCCN Guidelines recommendations for early detection and treatment consider life expectancy, which can be derived from prediction tables and adjusted based upon patients' comorbidities and other factors.

"The sole recommendation of active surveillance for men with low risk and very low risk prostate cancer, although initially controversial, has been gaining increased acceptance as more clinical experience supports the action taken by the NCCN Prostate Guidelines Panel," said Dr. Mohler.

According to Dr. Mohler, significant innovations have also been made in the treatment of metastatic castration-recurrent prostate cancer (CRPC), improving outcomes and presenting men and their physicians with an armamentarium of agents from which to tailor treatment.

Today, NCCN develops and maintains 60 NCCN Guidelines, covering 97% of malignant cancers. The NCCN Guidelines are developed and updated through an evidence-based process in which the expert panels integrate comprehensive clinical and scientific data with the judgment of the multidisciplinary panel members and other experts drawn from NCCN Member Institutions. Access to the complete library of NCCN Guidelines is available free-of-charge at NCCN.org.

"NCCN applauds and thanks the NCCN Guidelines Panel for Prostate Cancer," said Robert W. Carlson, MD, Chief Executive Officer, NCCN. "Given the challenge of determining the optimal treatment for the most commonly diagnosed cancer in men in the United States, our panel members over the past 20 years have consistently served in the best interest of men with prostate cancer."

On March 12 - 14, 2015, NCCN will host its 20th Annual Conference: Advancing the Standard of Cancer Care™ at The Diplomat in Hollywood, Florida. In recognition of its 20th anniversary, NCCN will host a special live roundtable during the conference comprised of NCCN leadership—past and present—as well as other stakeholders who have had a significant impact on the development, progression, and success of NCCN over the years. Noteworthy historical NCCN accomplishments and events will be discussed, as well as the impact NCCN has had and continues to have on the quality, effectiveness, and efficiency of cancer care so that patients can live better lives.