National survey of radiotherapy and androgen deprivation therapy strategies with PSMA-PET/CT integration in intermediate-risk prostate cancer: TROD 09-007 study.

Background: Intermediate-risk prostate cancer (IR-PC) represents a heterogeneous group requiring nuanced treatment approaches, and recent advancements in radiotherapy (RT), androgen deprivation therapy (ADT), and prostate-specific membrane antigen positron emission tomography (PSMA-PET/CT) imaging have prompted growing interest in personalized, risk-adapted management strategies. This study by the Turkish Society for Radiation Oncology aims to examine radiation oncologists' practices in managing IR-PC, focusing on RT and imaging modalities to identify trends for personalized treatments.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among Turkish radiation oncologists treating at least 50 prostate cancer (PC) cases annually. The 22-item questionnaire covered IR-PC management aspects such as risk stratification, imaging preferences, androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) use and duration, RT techniques, and treatment combinations. Anonymous responses were analyzed using descriptive statistics.

Results: Thirty radiation oncologists participated, 57% with over 20 years of experience. The median annual number of PC cases treated was 130. For risk stratification, 43% followed the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) guidelines, while 30% used the D'Amico classification. Imaging preferences revealed 47% favored PSMA-PET/CT. External beam RT was universally preferred, with 60% adopting ultra-hypofractionation. ADT was used by 97%, with 73% recommending it for unfavorable IR-PC cases. Short-term ADT (4-6 months) was the standard, administered concurrently with RT by 57%. Cardiovascular status influenced decisions for 97% of respondents, while 37% also considered patient age, preferences, and sexual health.

Conclusions: This national survey demonstrates a shift toward personalized care in intermediate-risk prostate cancer in Turkey, marked by selective PSMA-PET/CT use, tailored ADT, and evolving radiotherapy practices. The findings underscore the importance of multidisciplinary collaboration-particularly between urologists and radiation oncologists-to optimize imaging integration and treatment outcomes.