TITLE:
The Effectiveness of Treatment Options for Localized Prostate Cancer: A Meta-Analysis of Cross-Sectional and Cohort Studies
AUTHORS:
Pius Omolewa, John Bressan, Nassrine Noureddine
KEYWORDS:
Prostate Cancer, Prostatectomy, PSA Testing, Sexual Health, Active Surveillance
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Nursing,
Vol.16 No.8,
August
14,
2026
ABSTRACT: Background: Prostate cancer is one of the most common malignancies among men worldwide, with incidence rates rising steadily over the past decades. Although the widespread adoption of PSA screening has improved early detection, it has also sparked extensive debate regarding overdiagnosis and overtreatment. Against this backdrop, balancing the avoidance of unnecessary interventions with the need to ensure favorable patient outcomes has become a central challenge in clinical decision-making. Methods: Articles published from 2010 through 2025 were searched in five databases. The cross-sectional and cohort studies examined the effects of treatment options on localized prostate cancer. Results: From the analysis of the seven studies, the pooled effect on men’s sexual functions revealed logQR = 0.93, 95% CI [0.22, 1.64], p = 0.01, urinary functions at logQR = 2.38, 95% CI [1.29, 3.48], p p d = 0.76, 95% CI [0.11, 1.42], p = 0.02, PSA pooled at g = −0.61, 95% CI [−1.15, −0.07], p = 0.03, and clinical state pooled at logQR = 0.66, 95% CI [0.14, 1.17], p = 0.01. Conclusions: The quest for better management of prostate cancer among men continues to gain momentum in the face of opposition to radical surgery. Active surveillance has gained more popularity as it allows men to preserve those areas valued for quality of life. It has been observed that radical prostatectomy negatively affects the sexual, urinary, and bowel functions of men more than other treatment options.