Prostate cancer nomograms: an update.

Abstract

Several nomograms have been developed to predict outcomes related to prostate cancer (PCa). We provide a descriptive and an analytic comparison of nomograms. Further, we report a set of recent PCa nomograms, in which we recorded predictor variables, number of patients used to develop each nomogram, and nomogram-specific features. Moreover, accuracy estimates and type of validation are considered. Our findings suggest a demand for updated nomograms in selected fields of PCa outcomes. Moreover, an increasing number of nomograms address important end points such as prostate-specific antigen recurrence, distant metastases, or androgen-independent PCa-specific survival. Our results suggest that nomograms are available for many PCa-related outcomes. They represent a valid methodologic approach if correct criteria are met.