MedicalResearch.com Interview with:
Shahrokh F. Shariat, M.D.
Professor and Chairman
Department of Urology,
Comprehensive Cancer Center
Medical University Vienna
Adjunct Professor of Urology and Medical Oncology
Weill Medical College of Cornell University, New York, NY, USA
Adjunct Professor of Urology
UT Southwestern, Dallas, TX
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? What are the main findings?
Response: We know that tobacco smoking produces more than 70 carcinogens and is associated with worse prognosis in many solid cancers.
Although the association between cigarette smoking and prostate cancer death has been demonstrated, such association regarding other end points is still unclear. We evaluated different disease endpoints, such as recurrence, occurrence of metastasis and cancer-specific mortality at an earlier stage of disease. We found that smokers who underwent primary treatment for localized prostate cancer - such as radical prostatectomy and radiotherapy - are at increased risk of recurrence, metastasis and cancer-specific mortality. (more…)