Incidental Prostate Cancer Diagnosis Is Common After Holmium Laser Enucleation of the Prostate

Abstract

ObjectiveTo determine the incidence of incidental prostate cancer detection (iPCa) after holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP). The published rate of iPCa after HoLEP is widely variable from 7-23% and we aim to define preoperative risk factors for iPCa to inform risk adjusted preoperative evaluation for prostate cancer. MethodsConsecutive patients undergoing HoLEP from 2018-2022 were included and comprehensive clinical data abstracted from a prospectively maintained database. iPCa was defined as a diagnosis of PCa on pathologic examination of the HoLEP specimen. Patients with and without iPCa were compared with respect to pre-operative clinical variables. ResultsOf 913 HoLEP patients, 183 (20%) were diagnosed with iPCa. Most patients (95%) had a pre-operative PSA, 9% had negative MRI, and 30% had negative prostate biopsy. On multivariable analysis, PSA density (OR 1.06; 95% CI 1.03, 1.10; p<0.001), preoperative biopsy status (OR 0.47, CI 0.30, 0.75; p=0.002), and current 5-alpha reductase inhibitor (5-ARI) use (OR 0.64, CI 0.43, 0.97; p=0.034), were associated with iPCa diagnosis. ConclusionsIn a significantly pre-screened population, we identified a 20% rate of iPCa after HoLEP. Preoperative characteristics associated with iPCa diagnosis included increasing age, increasing PSA density, and current 5-ARI use. However, these factors alone may be of limited clinical utility to prospectively identify patients at high risk of iPCa diagnosis. We suggest and advocate for development of a standardized, risk adapted evaluation focused on expanded use of imaging and selective biopsy to prioritize identification of clinically significant prostate cancers prior to non-oncologic surgery.