Orchiectomy versus medical therapy with LH-RH analogues for the treatment of advanced prostatic carcinoma

BACKGROUND In Germany prostatic cancer is the most frequent cancer in men. The therapy of advanced prostatic cancer has changed significantly from the sub capsulate and / or total orchiectomy to the medical LH-RH analogues therapy during the last ten years, which has considerable effects on results and on costs. Both treatment procedures are based on a slowing down regulation of the growth of the hormone sensitive, neoplastic prostatic cells by the withdrawal of testosterone, which is clinically accompanied by a slowed tumor progression. OBJECTIVES This health technology assessment depicts and evaluates international data of medical effectiveness and efficiency of orchiectomy and medical therapy with LH-RH-analogues in patients with advanced prostate cancer. METHODS A systematic, diversified literature analysis in the common medical, economic and HTA data bases and further media was conducted. RESULTS Five identified, randomized and controlled studies concerning the application of LH-RH analogues showed the same medical effectiveness of orchiectomy and treatment with LH-RH analogues. Four different studies regarding the quality of life revealed no significant difference between the treatment with LH-RH analogues and the therapy with orchiectomy. Dealing with health economic aspects seven cost-minimizing studies and one cost effectiveness study could be identified. All cost-minimizing studies show methodological restrictions. In general all studies draw the conclusion that the treatment of advanced prostatic cancer with orchiectomy is the most cost effective method, if one assumes a remaining life expectancy of more than one year. CONCLUSIONS According to available studies, there is clear evidence for the equivalent effectiveness of LH-RH analogues and orchiectomy. Until now the studies - due to immense methodological restrictions - could not supply sufficient scientific evidence concerning the aspects of quality of life. In cases of a remaining life expectancy of more than one year, the orchiectomy is the more cost-effective alternative of therapy.