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[Radical prostatectomy. The first 50 consecutive patients undergoing surgery at Rigshospitalet].

INTRODUCTION: Radical prostatectomy has not been performed in Denmark until recently. In this paper, we report the results of the first patients undergoing a radical retropubic prostatectomy at Rigshospitalet. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Fifty consecutive patients, aged 47-68, median 59 years underwent radical prostatectomy. Ninety percent of the patients received three months of neoadjuvant endocrine therapy. RESULTS: Histopathology showed that 78% had organ-confined disease. During a median follow-up of 370 days, 11 patients (22%) developed biochemical failure, defined as a PSA value above 0.1 ng/ml. Although the number of patients is small and the follow-up limited, we confirmed correlations between preoperative characteristics and the risk of extraprostatic extension at tumour and biochemical progression. Surgery was performed without major complications. Erectile dysfunction was reported by 88%, whereas complete urinary continence was achieved in 90% of the patients.

Aged↗

Laparoscopic radical prostatectomy with the Heilbronn technique: an analysis of the first 180 cases.

PURPOSE: In 1998 Guillonneau and Vallancien introduced laparoscopic radical prostatectomy with primary access to the seminal vesicle. In 1999 we developed a different laparoscopic technique similar to the classic retropubic radical prostatectomy. We focus on early results and the learning curve of the procedure in the first 180 patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A transperitoneal approach is used with immediate access to Retzius' space. After the dorsal vein complex is endoscopically sutured, the urethra is incised and distal pedicles of the prostate with or without the neurovascular bundle transected. The apex is then pulled ventrally followed with incision at the bladder neck, and transvesical access to vas deferens and seminal vesicle. After completing the posterior wall of the urethrovesical anastomosis with 5 interrupted endoscopic sutures, the Foley catheter is placed, bladder neck closed and specimen extracted via the umbilical incision. From March 1999 to December 2000 we have performed 180 procedures, including 3 for stage pT1 tumor, 88 pT2, 82 pT3 and 7 pT4. Mean preoperative PSA was 13.3 ng./ml. (range 1.4 to 148), mean specimen weight 37.4 gm. (10 to 125) and median Gleason score 6 (3 to 9). For evaluation of the learning curve a separate analysis of 3 groups with 60 patients in each was done. Differences between groups 1 (first 60 patients) and 3 (last 60) were analyzed for statistically significant differences. RESULTS: Mean operating time was 271 minutes (range 150 to 500) and transfusion rate 31%. The reintervention rate was 4.4% and complication rate 18.8%. Of the patients 92% did not require any analgesia on postoperative day 2. Positive margins were found in 16% of the patients. The rate of positive margins in pT2 tumors was 2.3%, pT3a 15% and pT3b 34%. After a median followup of 12 months (range 3 to 23) in 9 (5%) patients a prostate specific antigen relapse was observed. The anastomosis was tight after removal of the catheter in 83% of patients, with a median time of 7 days (range 5 to 30). An anastomotic stricture had to be treated with laser incision in 3.3% of patients. On discharge from the hospital 33% of patients were continent, after 6 months 74% and after 12 months 97%. Analysis of the learning curve revealed significant differences in operating time (324 versus 265 minutes), conversion rate to open surgery (8.1% versus 1.7%), complication rate (23.3% versus 11.7%) and rate of prolonged catheterization (31.6% versus 10%, respectively), whereas the percentage of positive margins and continence rates showed no influence. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic radical prostatectomy requires significant laparoscopic expertise with an ongoing learning curve. Morbidity is low, oncological control similar to results of open surgery and functional results are promising. The procedure should be performed only at dedicated centers with adequate training and expertise.

Adult↗

Lack of association of prostate carcinoma nuclear grading with prostate specific antigen recurrence after radical prostatectomy.

PURPOSE: Grading prostate cancer using the Gleason system relies only on architectural tumor growth, in contrast to other systems, such as the WHO system, which grade prostate carcinoma based on nuclear features as well as architectural patterns. The prognostic significance of nuclear grading remains controversial since most studies were performed before prostate specific antigen (PSA) screening became widely available. We evaluated the significance of nuclear grade for predicting PSA recurrence in a contemporary cohort of patients treated with radical prostatectomy for clinically localized prostate carcinoma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Nuclear grades 1 to 3 were determined in 141 consecutive radical prostatectomies in 1995. Predominant and worst nuclear grade was determined by a consensus of 3 pathologists. Statistical analysis compared nuclear grade with Gleason score using the chi-square test. The Cox proportional hazards analysis was performed to calculate the ability of nuclear grade, Gleason score and other variables to predict PSA recurrence. RESULTS: We identified a significant association of Gleason score with worst nuclear grade (p = 0.007). All 6 cases with a Gleason score of 8 or greater had a worst nuclear grade of 3, in contrast to 36 of 60 (60%) with a score 6 or less, in which the worst nuclear grade was 3. Of the 141 patients 31 (21.9%) had PSA recurrence at a median followup of 3.7 years. The univariate Cox model revealed significant associations of PSA recurrence with Gleason score 8 or greater (hazards ratio 5.5, p = 0.005), extraprostatic extension (hazards ratio 3.4, p = 0.001), positive surgical margin (hazards ratio 2.6, p = 0.009), seminal vesicle involvement (hazards ratio 7.3, p <0.001), preoperative serum PSA (hazards ratio 1.03, p = 0.007), tumor stage (hazards ratio 3.6, p = 0.001) and maximal tumor dimension (hazards ratio 2.4, p <0.001). However, overall and worst nuclear grade did not predict PSA recurrence (p = 0.89 and 0.13, respectively). Nuclear grade did not fit any multivariate model tested, which otherwise included Gleason score, log(PSA), surgical margin status, extraprostatic extension, seminal vesicle status, tumor size and pathological stage. By varying sample fixation time we also showed that benign prostate tissue in the same section as prostate carcinoma had grade 2 or 3 nuclear changes, that is moderate to marked anaplasia. CONCLUSIONS: High nuclear grade is associated with high Gleason score. However, prostate carcinoma with a Gleason score of 6 or less shows extreme variability. Nuclear grade determined by light microscopy failed to predict PSA recurrence in a contemporary series of men with clinically localized prostate cancer treated with radical prostatectomy. Nuclear morphology is subject to tissue fixation and processing artifact. Any nuclear morphometric study must consider this artifact.

Adult↗

Accuracy of predicting long-term prostate specific antigen outcome based on early prostate specific antigen recurrence results after radical prostatectomy.

PURPOSE: We determined how prostate specific antigen (PSA) doubling time changed with time and whether an early measure of doubling time would accurately predict long-term PSA values and clinical outcome in a cohort of patients followed expectantly after radical prostatectomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We analyzed data on 121 patients with PSA recurrence after radical retropubic prostatectomy. Group and individual analyses were performed on 60 patients who met study inclusion criteria. PSA doubling time was calculated and a curve was plotted using logarithmic transformation with linear regression and least squares analysis. In analysis 1 patients were placed into 3 subgroups according to doubling time. Doubling time was calculated per subgroup and the slopes of the aggregate curves were compared to determine how doubling time changed with time. In analysis 2 we calculated early doubling time per patient using only the initial 2 detectable PSA values and compared it with eventual doubling time in each using all PSA values. In addition, we analyzed how doubling time correlated with the clinical course. RESULTS: Using the group methodology there was no statistically significant acceleration or deceleration with time in doubling time slope in any of the 3 subgroups. On individual analysis we noted a weak correlation of early with eventual doubling time (correlation coefficient 0.69, p = 0.01). In 88% of patients eventual doubling time was not within 10% of early doubling time. Metastasis developed in 60% of patients with an eventual DT of 0 to 6 months, while 80% with an eventual doubling time of 6 to 12 months had no evidence of local or metastatic disease. No patients with an eventual doubling time of greater than 12 months have had metastatic disease and only 4 (16%) had local recurrence, which was treated with radiation therapy. In 8 of the 14 patients (23%) with local recurrence or metastatic disease early doubling time predicted eventual doubling time. Early doubling time was more rapid and slower than eventual doubling time in 5 and 1, respectively, of the remaining cases, which would have placed them in a different subgroup. CONCLUSIONS: On group analysis PSA doubling time appeared to be constant with time and there was no evidence that it accelerated with time in our dataset of PSA recurrence after radical prostatectomy. On individual analysis early doubling time showed a weak but statistically significant correlation with eventual doubling time. However, there was significant inaccuracy when predicting PSA doubling time based on early PSA values in individuals. Generally early projections of doubling time tend to over predict tumor biological aggressiveness, that is local recurrence or metastasis. A need remains for more accurate predictors of the rate of disease progression at initial PSA recurrence to determine accurately early in the clinical course the patients who may benefit from additional therapy. Currently no patient in our study has died of prostate cancer.

Adult↗

Health related quality of life assessment after radical prostatectomy in men with prostate specific antigen only recurrence.

PURPOSE: The health related quality of life assessment is becoming increasingly important among patients with prostate cancer. Meanwhile, treatment of patients with increasing prostate specific antigen (PSA) after radical retropubic prostatectomy remains controversial. We attempt to define the impact of PSA recurrence on the health related quality of life of patients after radical retropubic prostatectomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Of 604 consecutive patients who underwent radical retropubic prostatectomy between March 1991 and September 1998, 510 (84%) were available for followup. Each patient was mailed the RAND 36-Item Health Survey and University of California, Los Angeles, Prostate Cancer Index questionnaire. A total of 348 (70%) questionnaires were returned. Health related quality of life scores were then compared between patients with and without PSA recurrence. A multivariate analysis was also performed to elucidate further the cause of differences between the groups. RESULTS: Overall, 88 (25%) patients had PSA recurrence. In regard to health related quality of life there were small (less than 10%) but statistically significant differences in 2 of 4 physical health domains (RAND 36-Item Health Survey). There was a significant decrease in only 1 category of the mental health domain for patients with PSA recurrence. Only sexual function was statistically lower on the University of California, Los Angeles, Prostate Cancer Index. This result reflects the lower incidence of nerve sparing in these patients, as confirmed by the multivariate analysis. Overall patient satisfaction was similar between those with and without PSA recurrence (76% and 79%, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Our study demonstrates small health related quality of life differences in patients with biochemical PSA recurrence versus those without. These findings provide a baseline assessment of general and disease specific health related quality of life domains among these patients. Future studies should focus on differences in the measure of cancer anxiety before and after administration of adjuvant therapy in these asymptomatic patients.

Follow-Up Studies↗

[Combined retropubo-perineal radical prostatectomy and a new method of reconstructing the posterior urethra].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of a new method of reconstructing the posterior urethra for the combined retropubo-perineal radical prostatectomy. METHODS: Six cases of prostate cancer were treated by operative method mentioned previously. For the operation, the routine retropubic radical prostatectomy was carried out first and then through the perineal incision, 4-6 cm of the residual urethra was seperated, held upward and anastomosed with the bladder neck. RESULTS: The urinary catheter was maintained for 14-28 days postoperatively on an average of 21.6 days. After 2-17 (average, 7.3) months of follow-up, 5 cases urinated smoothly and were completely dry for voiding. One case suffered from the infection of the perineal incision and dysuria after the removal of the urinary catheter and needed urethral dilatation periodically. CONCLUSION: The new method of reconstruction of the posterior urethra for the combined retropubo-perineal radical prostatectomy makes a better operative exposure, a better mucoso-mucosa anastomosis, and reduces the tension of anastomosis. It can decrease the incidence of urinary incontinence and urethral stenosis obviously. Its long-term efficacy should be observed in more cases with longer follow-up.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Preoperative serum prostate specific antigen levels between 2 and 22 ng./ml. correlate poorly with post-radical prostatectomy cancer morphology: prostate specific antigen cure rates appear constant between 2 and 9 ng./ml.

PURPOSE: Serum prostate specific antigen (PSA) is widely used as a guide to initiate prostatic biopsies and to follow men older than 50 years old with and without prostate cancer. However, benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a common cause of serum PSA values between 2 and 10 ng./ml. A better understanding of the relationships among serum PSA, prostate cancer and BPH is important. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 875 men underwent radical prostatectomy at our institution between December 1984 and January 1997. Of these men 784 had a serum PSA of 2 to 22 ng./ml., including 579 with the largest cancer located in the peripheral zone of the prostate. Of the 579 men 406 had serum PSA followups for greater than 3 years after radical prostatectomy. We examined Pearson correlations (R2) between preoperative serum PSA, and the volume of Gleason grades 4/5 and 3 to 1 cancer in 784 men, separating peripheral zone from transition zone cancers. We used broken line regression with break points of 7 and 9 ng./ml. preoperative PSA to summarize the relationship of each PSA doubling to 5 different morphological variables in 579 men with peripheral zone cancer. A 9 ng./ml. break point was used for prostate weight. Trend summaries with a local regression line for the relationships between 6 morphological variables and PSA were superimposed on full scatterplots of the 579 men with PSA less than 22 ng./ml. Cox proportional hazard models were used to examine 5-year PSA failure-free probabilities based on 406 men with minimal PSA followups greater than 3 years at break points of 7 to 9 ng./ml. PSA. RESULTS: Pearson correlation between cancer volume and preoperative serum PSA in 875 men was weak (r2 = 0.27) and driven by large cancers with serum PSA greater than 22 ng./ml. For peripheral zone cancer the overall R2 x 100 for 641 men with low and high grade cancer was 10% and only 3% for low grade cancer, that is almost no PSA produced by these peripheral zone cancers enters the serum. All morphological variables changed at rates of doubtful medical significance below a PSA of 7 to 9 ng./ml. but at rates that were significantly worse above 9 ng./ml. R2 for these relationships was never greater than 15%. Large individual morphological variations at all levels of PSA emphasize the serious limitation of PSA as a predictor of prostate cancer morphology. Below 9 ng./ml. prostate weight increased by 21% for each doubling of PSA but above 9 ng./ml. the increase was only 4.8%. CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative serum PSA has a clinically useless relationship with cancer volume and grade in radical prostatectomy specimens, and a limited relationship with PSA cure rates at preoperative serum PSA levels of 2 to 9 ng./ml. Trend summaries for prostate weight on broken line regression showed that below 9 ng./ml. BPH is a strong contender for the cause of PSA elevation, constituting the primary cause of the over diagnosis of prostate cancer.

Age Factors↗

Radical prostatectomy in a community practice.

PURPOSE: We report the experience of a community based urologist with anatomical retropubic radical prostatectomy. We compared outcome data with that reported experience at several well-known academic institutions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between May 1986 and December 2000, 382 consecutive patients underwent anatomical radical retropubic prostatectomy performed by a single community based urologist. Charts were reviewed to determine the positive margin rate, urinary continence, potency, hospitalization and the prostate specific antigen (PSA) recurrence rate. RESULTS: The positive margin rate was 9% overall but in the last 5 years it was 7% compared with 7% to 40% in previous studies at academic institutions. The urinary continence rate was 90% overall and 93% in the last 5 years when excluding men older than 70 years old, compared with 85% to 94% in the academic urological literature. The potency rate after the bilateral nerve sparing technique was 79% compared with 54% to 86% in academic series. Average hospitalization in the last 5 years was 1.5 days. Overall PSA recurrence rate and the rate of PSA recurrence as a function of preoperative PSA, postoperative stage and grade were similar to those at academic institutions. CONCLUSIONS: Anatomical radical prostatectomy can be performed at nonacademic institutions with results comparable to those at academic institutions.

Adult↗

[Continence problems after radical prostatectomy: medical treatment].

OBJECTIVE: We hypothesized that a benefit can be obtained from both urine storage and urethral resistance after retropubic radical prostatectomy through the induction of artificial erections. MATERIAL AND METHODS: From January 1993 to December 2000 we have submitted 127 patients to radical retropubic prostatectomy. According to preoperative bladder behaviour, 59 patients (46.5%) presented voiding disorders, 10 (7.9%) filling disorders, 4 (3.1%) mixed disorders, whereas 54 (42.5%) were asymptomatic. The urethral catheter was removed between the 10th and the 12th postoperative day. Fourteen patients entered a programme of early sexual rehabilitation with intracavernous injection of prostaglandin E1 (ICI) within 7 days from catheter removal. RESULTS: After catheter removal the recovery of urinary continence occurred within 2.2 +/- 2.3 days. At dismissal from the hospital, 8 patients (6.2%) were almost totally incontinent; 2 (1.5%) were still incontinent after a 6-month period; 73 (57.4%) were dismissed with clinical signs of detrusor instability hence treated with anticholinergic drugs such oxybutynin or tolterodine; 3 (2.3%) resulted obstructed after surgery because of stenosis of the anastomosis. Almost all the patients submitted to early sexual rehabilitation referred an improvement of their incontinence after the first injection. The patients who did not begin an early sexual rehabilitation generally recovered from incontinence in a longer time. CONCLUSIONS: Our preliminary observations showed that artificial erection PGE1-induced is effective in improving or accelerating post radical prostatectomy incontinence recovery. The results apply also to patients with pre-operatory detrusor instability.

Aged↗

How well does the Partin nomogram predict pathological stage after radical prostatectomy in a community based population? Results of the cancer of the prostate strategic urological research endeavor.

PURPOSE: The Partin nomogram uses preoperative Gleason grade, serum prostate specific antigen and clinical stage to predict pathological outcome after radical prostatectomy. It was developed and validated in a select population of patients at 3 academic institutions. Although the nomogram is widely used, it has yet to be validated in a community based population. We assessed the performance of the nomogram in the Cancer of the Prostate Strategic Urological Research Endeavor, a nationwide, community based observational disease registry of men with prostate cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Included in the cohort were 1,162 men in Cancer of the Prostate Strategic Urological Research Endeavor who underwent radical prostatectomy. Using various probability thresholds the nomogram was used to predict outcomes in each patient. Using different probability thresholds receiver operating characteristics curves were then used to assess test performance. RESULTS: Of the men 860 (74%) had organ confined disease, 179 (15%) had established capsular penetration, 95 (8%) had seminal vesicle involvement and 37 (3%) had lymph node involvement. Calculated receiver operating characteristics curve area was 0.684 for predicting organ confined disease, 0.614 for predicting capsular penetration, 0.726 for predicting seminal vesicle involvement and 0.766 for predicting lymph node involvement. These values were lower than in previously published reports. CONCLUSIONS: While the Partin nomogram performs adequately in a community based cohort of men who undergo radical prostatectomy for localized prostate cancer, it does not attain the success demonstrated in previous studies in select academic cohorts. This result was likely due to differences in the distribution of pathological outcomes in the community based cohort, in which more men had organ confined disease.

Aged↗

Outcome of patients with Gleason score 8 or higher prostate cancer following radical prostatectomy alone.

PURPOSE: We determine the effect of clinical and pathological variables on the outcome of patients with prostate cancer of Gleason scores 8 or greater treated with radical prostatectomy alone. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between April 1987 and October 1998, 1,199 patients underwent radical retropubic prostatectomy. We identified 188 patients assigned a Gleason score of 8 or higher in the prostatectomy specimen who did not receive any neoadjuvant or adjuvant therapy. Median followup was 60 months (range 1 to 129). Disease recurrence was defined as any detectable prostate specific antigen level 0.1 ng./ml. or greater. RESULTS: Of 188 patients 128 (68%) had no evidence of prostate cancer after a median followup of 60 months, while 60 (32%) demonstrated a detectable PSA level. There were 58 (31%) patients with disease confined to the prostate with negative surgical margins while 108 (57%) had prostate cancer confined to the surgical specimen. Positive surgical margin with extraprostatic extension was seen in 16 (9%) patients and seminal vesicle invasion was present in 40 (21%). The 5 and 7-year disease-free survival rates for the entire cohort were 71% and 55%, respectively. Patients with specimen confined disease had a significantly higher 5-year disease-free survival rate than those with nonspecimen confined disease (84% and 50%, p <0.0001). On multivariate analysis pathological status of the surgical specimen was the most significant independent predictor of disease recurrence. Age, ethnicity, clinical stage and preoperative PSA had no independent effect on disease recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: Long-term disease-free survival can be expected in those patients with high grade prostate cancer whose disease is confined to the prostate and/or the surgical specimen.

Aged↗

Extended pelvic lymphadenectomy in patients undergoing radical prostatectomy: high incidence of lymph node metastasis.

PURPOSE: Lymphadenectomy for prostate cancer is limited to obturator and external iliac lymph nodes, although the internal lymph nodes represent the primary landing zone of lymphatic drainage. We performed anatomically adequate extended pelvic lymphadenectomy to assess the incidence of lymph node metastasis in cases of clinically localized prostate cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 103 consecutive patients underwent extended pelvic lymphadenectomy at radical retropubic prostatectomy comprising 9 selective fields, namely the external iliac, internal iliac, obturator and common iliac lymph nodes bilaterally, and the presacral lymph nodes. Histopathological findings were compared with serum prostate specific antigen (PSA), histopathological stage, preoperative biopsy and postoperative prostatectomy Gleason score. Extended pelvic lymphadenectomy was compared with radical retropubic prostatectomy and standard lymphadenectomy in 100 consecutive patients in terms of complications, the number of lymph nodes dissected and operative time. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in age, preoperative PSA or mean biopsy Gleason score in patients who underwent extended pelvic and standard lymphadenectomy. Metastases were diagnosed in 27 of the 103 patients (26.2%) who underwent the extended procedure. A mean of 28 lymph nodes (range 21 to 42) were dissected. Metastases were identified in the internal iliac and presacral regions despite negative obturator lymph nodes. Of the 27 patients 1 to 3 lymph nodes involved with metastasis were detected in 15, 9 and 1, respectively. In 26 of the 27 patients (95.8%) with lymph node metastasis PSA was greater than 10.5 ng./ml. and preoperative biopsy Gleason sum was 7 or greater. A low risk of 2% for lymph node disease was noted in patients with serum PSA less than 10.5 ng./ml. and biopsy Gleason sum less than 7. There were no significant differences in regard to intraoperative and postoperative complications, lymphocele formation or blood loss in the 2 groups. CONCLUSIONS: Extended pelvic lymphadenectomy is associated with a high rate of lymph node metastasis outside of the fields of standard lymphadenectomy in cases of clinically localized prostate cancer. Lymphadenectomy including the internal iliac lymph nodes should be performed in all patients with prostate cancer who are at high risk for lymph node involvement, as indicated by PSA greater than 10.5 ng./ml. and biopsy Gleason sum 7 or greater. In the low risk group pelvic lymphadenectomy can be omitted.

Aged↗

[Early results in the initial 15 cases of laparoscopic radical prostatectomy in Akita University Medical Center].

We herein report our experience and early results of laparoscopic radical prostatectomy in 15 cases of localized prostate cancer (11 T1c and 4 T2a tumors) performed between March 2000 and October 2001. The operative procedure was almost identical to the Montsouris technique. Conversion to the open procedure was required only in the first case because of a widely opened bladder neck that involved the ureteral orifice. No severe intraoperative or postoperative complications were observed. The mean operating time and blood loss was 383 minutes and 640 ml including intraoperative urine, respectively. Only one patient required blood transfusion. All 14 patients with a successful procedure could take fluid and walk freely on postoperative day 1. Twelve (86%) of the 14 patients could take food on postoperative day 1 and a Foley catheter was successfully removed on day 6 to 8 in 12 (86%) cases. Histologically, positive surgical margin was observed in 5 (33%) cases and all of them were considered non-organ confined (pT3 or more). Without adjuvant hormonal therapy, biochemical (PSA) failure was observed in 5 (36%) cases (median follow-up period: 11 months). Continence has been well maintained in 12 patients with no need for a pad by 3 months postoperatively and 2 patients are using only 1 pad/day for caution's sake. In terms of early postoperative recovery, intraoperative blood loss and maintenance of continence, laparoscopic radical prostatectomy may give a satisfactory result. Although long-term follow-up is required to assess disease control and maintenance of sexual function, laparoscopic radical prostatectomy may become an alternative for the treatment of organ-confined prostate cancer.

Aged↗

[Study of intermittent endocrine therapy in patients presenting with biologic recurrence after radical prostatectomy or radiotherapy].

INTRODUCTION: Study of the efficacy of intermittent endocrine therapy after failure of local treatment. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 74 patients were treated for biochemical recurrence after radical prostatectomy (n = 30), radiotherapy (n = 28) or radical prostatectomy followed by radiotherapy (n = 16). Treatment (63 patients were treated by antiandrogens alone, 8 by LHRH analogue and 3 by complete androgen suppression) was continued for 6 months after obtaining undetectable PSA levels for patients after radical prostatectomy (and restarted when PSA > 4 ng/ml) or a PSA nadir < 4 ng/ml for the other patients (and restarted for PSA > 10 ng/ml). RESULTS: The duration of periods without treatment represented 50% of the total treatment cycle. With a mean follow-up of 43.8 months, the overall 5-year biochemical progression-free survival rate was 54.6%. On multivariate analysis, factors predictive of biochemical progression were age less than 70 years (p = 0.05), Gleason score greater than or equal to 8 (p = 0.038) and the presence of lymph node metastases (p = 0.05). CONCLUSION: Intermittent endocrine therapy is a treatment option for patients with recurrence after local treatment. Candidates for intermittent endocrine therapy must be over the age of 70, with localized adenocarcinoma and a Gleason score less than or equal to 7.

Age Factors↗

Laparoscopic prostatectomy: here to stay.

In 2002, open retropubic radical prostatectomy remains the standard of care for localized carcinoma of the prostate. However, the laparoscopic approach offers several appealing advantages and is being practiced more widely. The more commonly performed technique is the transperitoneal "Montsouris" technique with defined steps which are described. There are a number of pointers that are learned with experience. The most remarkable aspect of laparoscopic prostatectomy is the relatively pain-free and trouble-free postoperative course. Patients can be discharged within 2 days, have very little analgesic requirement, and feel well faster. The catheter can be removed in 4 to 7 days. Cancer control appears comparable to that of open surgery, although results are relatively preliminary and are stated in terms of biochemical freedom from disease. The functional results continue to be reported, but in an experienced surgeon's hands, continence appears to recover more quickly and appears to be similar to that achieved after open surgery. Potency can be preserved with nerve sparing. Laparoscopic radical prostatectomy is a procedure that will be more widely practiced in North America as several of the technological limitations are overcome and as surgeons become more experienced with laparoscopic surgery.

Costs and Cost Analysis↗

Pathological parameters of radical prostatectomy for clinical stages T1c versus T2 prostate adenocarcinoma: decreased pathological stage and increased detection of transition zone tumors.

PURPOSE: Studies of radical prostatectomy specimens have suggested that the majority of prostate specific antigen detected (clinical stage T1c) tumors are clinically significant. We compared tumor location and pathological parameters in the radical prostatectomy specimens of stages T1c versus T2 cases in a 3-year period. The percent of stage T1c disease represented a stable majority of patients undergoing treatment for clinically localized prostate cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From January 1, 1998 to December 31, 2000, 417 radical prostatectomies were performed at Vanderbilt University, including 246 for stage T1c and 108 for stage T2 disease. A total of 37 patients were excluded from study because of neoadjuvant antiandrogen treatment. Pathological parameters, including tumor location in the transition and/or peripheral zone, tumor Gleason grade, tumor stage, total tumor volume and surgical margins were compared in stages T1c and T2 cases, and in transition versus peripheral zone stage T1c tumors in completely embedded whole mount specimens. RESULTS: In contrast to stage T2 lesions, stage T1c tumors were of significantly lower Gleason score with a higher percent of Gleason score 5 and lower percent of Gleason score 6, 7 and 8 or greater. They also had a significantly smaller volume and lower pathological stage. Of stage T1c tumors 77% were organ confined versus 62% of stage T2 tumors. There was no statistically significant increase in clinically insignificant neoplasms in stages T1c versus T2 cases (13% versus 7%) when using a volume criterion of less than 0.2 cc but a statistically significant increase in clinically insignificant disease was observed using a volume criterion of less than 0.5 cc (22% versus 9%). Whereas none of the T2 tumors were located in the transition zone and 17% were located in the transition and peripheral zones, 14% of stage T1c lesions were exclusively in the transition zone, with another 17% in the transition and peripheral zones. Compared with peripheral zone tumors transition zone stage T1c tumors had a lower Gleason score with an increase in Gleason score 5 and lower percent of Gleason score 6, 7 and 8 or greater. Although transition zone stage T1c lesions were significantly larger than peripheral zone stage T1c lesions, they had a lower pathological stage with 94% versus 72% organ confined. CONCLUSIONS: Prostate specific antigen detected stage T1c tumors had a lower grade, stage and volume than stage T2 tumors during the same period. Lower tumor grade in stage T1c cases is due at least in part to the increased detection of Gleason pattern 2 containing transition zone tumors. Despite the larger size, T1c transition zone tumors appear to be more favorable with higher rates of organ confined and lower grade tumors. If such transition zone tumors prove to be biologically distinct, improved strategies to identify these lesions preoperatively may result in more conservative treatment recommendations.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Drain-free simple retropubic prostatectomy with fibrin sealant.

PURPOSE: We present our preliminary experience with liquid fibrin sealant during simple retropubic prostatectomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed 18 consecutive simple retropubic prostatectomies performed for symptomatic advanced benign prostatic hyperplasia at our institution between 1997 and 2001. Adenoma enucleation was performed via transverse anterior prostatic capsulotomy. In the first 13 cases (group 1) a Jackson-Pratt suction drain was placed in the pelvis after prostatic capsular closure. In the remaining 5 cases (group 2) 2 ml. liquid fibrin sealant were administered over the closed prostatic capsule instead of a pelvic drain. RESULTS: The 2 groups were matched for age and prostate size. Average time to drain removal in control group was 3.92 days, while the fibrin sealant group had no clinically apparent adverse sequelae despite the lack of pelvic drainage. Average hospitalization in group 1 was 4.38 days, while all group 2 patients were discharged home after 2 days (p = 0.001). In addition, a trend toward earlier resumption of a full diet was noted in the sealant group (2.61 versus 1 day, p = 0.075). CONCLUSIONS: Liquid fibrin sealant appears to expedite recovery and shorten hospitalization when used as an adjunct during simple prostatectomy.

Aged↗

[Localized prostatic cancer: treatment with laparoscopic radical prostatectomy: study with 841 cases].

The authors present their experience in the technique of laparoscopic radical prostatectomy. After 841 operations done from January 1998 to april 2001. They use a trans peritoneal approach with 5 ports of 5 and 10 mm. The prostatectomy is done antegrady and the urethrovesical anastomosis is rebuilt with interrupted 3/0 resorbable sutures. Operating time is 2 hours and 40 minutes (1 h 30 to 6 h 30) Conversion rate is 0.9%, average bleeding is 330 cc and transfusion rate is 2.8%. Bladder catheter is removed between days 3 to 6. hospital stay is 5.8 days. Post-op pain is minimal (2% of antalgics at day 2). There was no death, no embolism, 0.2% of phlebitis, 1.1% of rectal injury. Anstomotic strictures occur in 0.3% of cases. 89.2% of patients are continent after 1 year and 75% of patients under 70 years old who underwent a bilateral nerve sparing procedure were potent at 6 months. Positive margins were observed in 5% of pT2a, 22.5% of pT2b, 22.7% in pT3a and 30% in PT3b. After 2 years 92.5% of patients pT2a and b have a PSA < 0.1 ng/ml. No port seeding or peritoneal invasion by cancer was observed. Laparoscopic radical prostatectomy is a safe surgical procedure which limits the risk of transfusion, of anastomotic stricture, which reduces post op pain and allows a good continence. Potency recovery is promising.

Humans↗