Outcome Predictors of Radical Prostatectomy in Patients With Prostate-Specific Antigen Greater Than 20 ng/ml: A European Multi-Institutional Study of 712 Patients

Abstract

BackgroundProstate cancer (PCa) patients with pretreatment prostate-specific antigen (PSA) >20 ng/ml have a high risk of biochemical and clinical failure and even cancer-related death after local therapy. Pretreatment predictors of outcome after radical prostatectomy (RP) in this patient group are necessary. ObjectiveOur aim was to assess how the use of additional high-risk factors (biopsy Gleason score [bGS] ≥8 or clinical stage 3–4) can improve prediction of treatment failure and cancer-related death after RP in patients with PSA >20. Design, setting, and participantsIn a retrospective multicentre cohort study from six European centres between 1987 and 2005, 712 patients with PSA >20 ng/ml underwent RP and bilateral pelvic lymphadenectomy. MeasurementsSubgroups were analysed to determine the relationship between the number of high-risk factors and histopathology, biochemical progression-free survival, clinical evidence of progressive disease, prostate cancer–specific mortality (PCSM), and overall mortality. Kaplan-Meier analysis with log-rank test and Cox multivariable analysis were applied. Results and limitationsMedian follow-up was 77 mo. The number of high-risk factors was significantly associated with unfavourable histopathology. Among patients with only PSA >20 ng/ml, 33% had pT2 PCa, 57.9% had bGS <7, 54% had negative surgical margins, and 85% were lymph node negative (pN0), whereas among patients with all three high-risk factors, 4.5% had pT2 PCa, 2.3% had bGS <7, 20.5% had negative margins, and 49% were pN0 (p<0.001). The strongest predictor of progression and mortality was bGS. PSA >20 ng/ml associated with bGS ≤7 resulted in 10-yr PCSM of 5%; when associated with bGS ≥8, PCSM was 35%. The main limitations of the study were retrospective design and varying treatment modalities. ConclusionsPCa patients with PSA >20 ng/ml have varying risk levels of disease progression and PCSM. Considering additional risk factors further stratifies this group into four subgroups that can guide the clinician in preoperative patient counselling.