Prostate Cancer Mortality Among Elderly Men After Discontinuing Organised Screening: Long-term Results from the European Randomized Study of Screening for Prostate Cancer Rotterdam

Background: 

The optimal timing for discontinuing screening of prostate cancer (PCa) in elderly men is currently not known and remains debated. 

Objective: 

To assess prostate cancer–specific mortality (PCSM) in elderly men who previously underwent prostate-specific antigen (PSA)-based screening and to identify those who may benefit from continued screening. 

Design, setting, and participants: 

A total of 7052 men, who participated in the screening arm of the Rotterdam section of the European Randomized Study of Screening for Prostate Cancer and were aged 70–74 yr at their last screening visit after undergoing a maximum of three screening rounds without being diagnosed with PCa, were included. 

Outcome measurements and statistical analysis: 

The cumulative incidence of PCSM by the age of 85 yr was assessed. Additionally, a competing risk regression was performed to assess the potential predictors of PCSM. 

Results and limitations: 

The median follow-up was 16 yr. The cumulative incidence of PCSM by the age of 85 yr was 0.54% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.40–0.70) in all men, 0.11% (95% CI: 0.05–0.27) in men with PSA <2 ng/ml, 0.85% (95% CI: 0.47–1.5) in men with PSA 2–3 ng/ml, and 6.8% (95% CI: 3.1–15) in men with PSA ≥6.5 ng/ml and no previous benign biopsy. PSA (subdistribution hazard ratio [sHR]: 2.0; 95% CI: 1.7–2.3), previous benign prostate biopsy (sHR: 0.41; 95% CI: 0.23–0.72), and hypertension (sHR: 0.48; 95% CI: 0.25–0.91) were significantly associated with PCSM. 

Conclusions: 

Men aged 70–74 yr who have previously undergone PSA-based screening without receiving a PCa diagnosis have a very low risk of dying from PCa by the age of 85 yr. These data suggest that screening may be discontinued in men with PSA <3.0 ng/ml or previous benign prostate biopsies. Those with higher PSA levels and no prior biopsies may consider continued screening if life expectancy exceeds 10 yr. Patient summary: This study shows that men who participated in a prostate cancer screening trial have a very low risk of dying from prostate cancer if they have not been diagnosed with prostate cancer by the age of 74 yr.