On Wednesday 6 March 2024, S. Remmers will defend the doctoral thesis titled: ‘Studies on the Natural History of Prostate Cancer and Multivariable Risk Stratification in Early Detection and Treatment‘.
- Promotor
- Promotor
- Date
- Wednesday 6 Mar 2024, 10:30 - 12:00
- Type
- PhD defence
- Space
- Professor Andries Querido room
- Building
- Education Center
- Location
- Erasmus MC
Brief summary of the doctoral thesis:
Prostate cancer is one of the most frequently diagnosed cancers. A randomized controlled trial showed that early detection by using a blood test (i.e., PSA-based screening) decreases disease-specific mortality. In the thesis, we have shown that - as a consequence of early detection - men are on average one year earlier a prostate cancer patient compared to those who did not receive the screening test. However, once men are diagnosed, they live longer without experiencing progression. This demonstrates that PSA-based screening is able to reduce the burden of the disease.
In addition, we have shown that there is a multitude of tools available for the detection of prostate cancer in the diagnostic pathway. Referral for prostate biopsies can be based on a single PSA test, but also be based on so-called multivariable prediction models. These multivariable prediction models combine multiple relevant clinical factors into an individualized probabilitity. We have shown that not all models should be used in a setting where the model has not been developed. In addition, we have shown that developments in pathological grading system contribute to an improvement of diagnostic and prognostic risk prediction.
- More information
The public defence will begin exactly at 10.30 hrs. The doors will be closed once the public defence starts, latecomers can access the hall via the fourth floor. Due to the solemn nature of the ceremony, we recommend that you do not take children under the age of 6 to the first part of the ceremony.
