Prostate cancer. The problem of prognostic factors.

Abstract

The assessment of factors that might predict the future behavior of a neoplasm is one of the principal responsibilities of pathologists. This activity is of pivotal importance and should be critically evaluated. The value of information describing the features of cancer to the care of any particular patient cannot be assumed. It must be understood in light of the nature of prostatic carcinoma and the actual direct benefit to the patient of the information. Prognostic factors represent dynamic information that may change over time. Mechanisms for ongoing evaluation of the value of these data should be instituted by each practice setting, lest the accumulation of unnecessary information create adverse financial conditions for the practice.