Whole pelvis radiotherapy for pathological node-positive prostate cancer : Oncological outcome and prognostic factors.

Abstract

The goal of this work was to investigate the oncological outcome of whole pelvis radiotherapy (wpRT) in pathologic pelvic lymph node-positive (pN1) prostate cancer (PCa), evaluate the location of relapse, and identify potential prognostic factors. All patients undergoing pelvic lymph node dissection (PLND) since the year 2000 at asingle tertiary care center were evaluated. A total of 154patients with pN1 PCa were treated with wpRT (39 in an adjuvant setting) and 2-3years of androgen deprivation therapy (ADT). Kaplan-Meier analysis was performed to estimate biochemical recurrence-free survival (bRFS), clinical progression-free survival (cPFS), and prostate cancer-specific survival (CSS). Uni- and multivariate regression analyses were performed to identify prognostic factors. Estimated bRFS was 67%, cPFS was 71%, and CSS was 96% at 5years. Median follow-up was 55months (interquartile range 25-87). Multivariate analysis identified having only 1positive lymph node, ashorter time between diagnosis and PLND, and older age as independent favorable prognostic factors for biochemical and clinical recurrence. The number of positive lymph nodes was prognostic for CSS (hazard ratio [HR] 1.34, 95% confidence interval 1.17-1.54) and OS (HR 1.22, 95% confidence interval 1.10-1.36). Bone metastases were the most frequent location of PCa relapse (n= 32, 64%). Patients with pN1 PCa treated with wpRT and 2-3years ADT have an encouraging 5‑year CSS. Understaging of the disease extent may be the most important enemy in definitive pN1 PCa treatment.