Salvage laparoscopic surgery in advanced prostate cancer: is it possible or beneficial?

Abstract

Purpose: The surgical management of recurrent urological cancer continues to evolve. This review focuses on the role laparoscopic surgical techniques have within recurrent prostate treatments. Methods: A literature search from 1990 to 2007 was conducted using the PubMed database to determine the role of laparoscopic salvage surgery for prostate cancers. In all articles studied, we evaluated: estimated blood loss; transfusion rates; hemoglobin level; serum and drain fluid creatinine levels; bowel injury; hospital stay and complication rates. Results: Laparoscopic surgery is used regularly for the treatment of urological cancers; however, its role in treating radiorecurrent or chemoradiorecurrent cancer is unknown. Adjuvant chemo-radiotherapy, other experimental localized therapies (cryotherapy) or hormonal therapy are known to affect the operative field, causing greater morbidity in open surgery. Relative survival rates were lowest among patients who received no treatment and highest among patients who underwent surgical procedures. Conclusions: Although associated with significant morbidity, salvage prostatectomy remains a viable form of therapy. Laparoscopic salvage radical prostatectomy for recurrent cancer is feasible with no more morbidity than an open procedure, with promising short-term oncologic and functional outcomes. Long-term data will ultimately confirm the viability of the laparoscopic approach most probably in a multicenter setting.