Biostatisticians' critical role in shaping insights from a long-term observational study on quality of life following prostate cancer treatment
Presenting author: Tatsuki Koyama, Department of Biostatistics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center
Co-authored by:
- Zhiguo Zhao, Department of Biostatistics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center
- Li-Ching Huang, Department of Biostatistics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center
- David F. Penson, Department of Urology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center
- Karen E. Hoffman, Department of Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Center
- Daniel A. Barocas, Department of Urology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center
Abstract:
CEASAR (Comparative Effectiveness Analysis of Surgery and Radiation) for localized prostate cancer is an ongoing observational study with long-term follow-up on over 3,600 men diagnosed with localized prostate cancer between 2011 and 2012. Since the inception of the study, the analytical team has played a pivotal role across various aspects, including study design, data coordination, and data analysis. Considerable effort has been dedicated to establishing a high-quality database. The data for this project was sourced from multiple channels: patient questionnaires, medical chart abstractions, and cancer registries. Confirming the treatment received for individual patients, given the occasionally conflicting information from these sources, posed a significant challenge. Equipped with long-term data, the research team is now in the process of thoroughly examining treatment histories and pertinent oncological outcomes. This undertaking aims to accurately determine the recurrence status for each patient for the next phase of research.