Radical retropubic prostatectomy in patients with high risk prostate cancer

Abstract

15549 Background: Patients with high risk prostate cancer (Gleason score 8 to 10, cT3 disease or PSA > 20 ng/ml) are at high for cancer recurrence after local therapy such as radical retropubic prostatectomy (RPE) or radiation therapy. We examined the long-term oncological and functional outcome of patients with high risk prostate cancer (PCA) on biopsy. We further investigated prognostic risk factors associated with good prognosis. Methods: We retrospectively analysed the outcome of 304 patients with high risk PCA. All patients received a questionnaire to obtain information with regard to continence, potency, PSA recurrence, PSA mortality and quality of life (EORTC QLQ-30). 237 (78%) patients returned the questionnaires. Results: The mean follow-up is 94 (15–146) months, mean age of all patients is 62.6 (32–78) years. 231 (76%) patients had PSA serum levels of 20–50ng/ml, 62 (23.4%) and 39 (12.8%) had PSA serum levels of 50–100 ng/ml and > 100 ng/ml, resp., a pT3 PCA was identified in 192 (63.1%) patients, pTxpN1 disease was found in 84 (27.6%) patients. Overall survival rate is 81.9%, 86.2% and 85.3% in patients with PSA > 20ng/ml, pT3 or pTxpN1 PCA, resp.; cancer specific survival was 85%, 89.5% and 88.7% in PSA > 20ng/ml, pT3 and pTxpN1 PCA, resp. PSA recurrence rate is 28%; the most significant parameters associated with survival are biopsy Gleason score (p = 0.02), pN1 status (p = 0.001), perineural invasion (p = 0.001), seminal vesicle invasion (p < 0.0005). There was no significant difference with regard to pre- and postoperative quality of life. Continence was good with no pads in 85%, 1- 2 pads/day and = 3 pads/day in 10.6% and 4.4%, resp. Conclusions: RPE can be safely performed in patients with high risk PCA resulting in a high cancer specific survival rate. Most suitable candidates are patients with biopsy Gleason score < 8, pN0 and = pT3a; even in cT3 PCA RPE is a valuable therapeutic option with long-term PCA-free survival and might be considered in men with a long life expectancy. No significant financial relationships to disclose.