Outcomes Of Robot-assisted Radical Prostatectomy Research Articles

Head-to-head comparison of DaVinci and Hugo™ RAS robotic platforms for robot-assisted radical prostatectomy: a systematic review and meta-analysis of comparative studies.

We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of comparative studies to analyze intra- and postoperative outcomes of robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) using either DaVinci (DV-RARP) or Hugo™RAS (H-RARP) platforms. The study was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42024562326) and followed PRISMA guidelines. Literature search was conducted in June 2024 using academic databases, focusing on articles from 2021 to 2024. Research question focused on men with PCa (P) undergoing H-RARP (I) versus DV-RARP (C) to evaluate surgical, pathology, and functional outcomes (O), across comparative studies. Continuous variables were summarized using mean difference (MD) and categorical variables using odds ratio with 95% confidence intervals (CI). Heterogeneity was assessed using Cochran's Q test and I2 statistics. Publication bias was evaluated with Egger's and Begg's tests. Statistical analysis was performed with Stata®17.0, with significance set at p < 0.05. Risk of bias was assessed using the ROBINS-I tool. Methodological quality was evaluated with AMSTAR 2. Eight studies (three prospective, five retrospective) with 1114 patients (454 H-RARP vs. 660 DV-RARP) were included. Baseline characteristics were comparable between groups. No significant differences were found in overall operative time, console time, blood loss, nerve-sparing, or lymphadenectomy. Docking time was significantly longer for Hugo™RAS (MD:6 min,95% CI 4.2;7.8). Postoperative outcomes, including complications, length of stay, and catheterization time, were similar. Pathological outcomes showed no significant differences in positive surgical margins or staging, but lower node yield was observed with H-RARP (MD:-2,95% CI -3.3;-0.6). Urinary continence recovery was comparable. Risk of bias was moderate to serious. The meta-analysis suggests H-RARP and DV-RARP perform not statistically different across most of analyzed outcomes, except for docking time and lymph-node yield. The longer docking time associated with the Hugo™RAS suggests demanding setup but does not translate into significantly longer operative time. Although statistically significant, the observed difference in lymph-node yield might be clinically negligible.

Effects of modifying hinotori™ surgical robot system on perioperative outcome of robot-assisted radical prostatectomy.

One of the main advantages of the hinotori™ surgical robot system (HSRS) is that it can be easily adjusted. This study aimed to clarify the effects of modifying the HSRS on the perioperative outcomes of robotic-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP). Overall, 158 cases of RARP using the HSRS were classified into three groups based on the modification to the system: group A (no modification, 70 cases), group B (addition of the ability to switch between two types of scopes and to adjust the arm base tilt back and forth, left and right, 42 cases), and group C (reduction of arm floating sensation, mitigation of emergency stop during arm collision, and addition of clutch function via hand switch in addition to foot pedal, 46 cases). The perioperative outcomes of each group were compared. The median of operation time, cockpit time, and cockpit time excluding the time required for lymph node dissection of group C were 223, 146, and 135 min, respectively, where are significantly shorter than those of group A (308, 228, and 208 min, p < 0.0001, respectively) and group B (319, 241, and 214 min, p < 0.0001, respectively). There was no significant difference in the rate of positive margin rates and the pad-free rate before the first follow-up visit among these three groups. The complication rates in groups A, B, and C were 11.4%, 9.4%, and 8.4% (Clavien-Dindo grades I-II), and 4.3%, 2.4%, and 0% (grade III), respectively. The modifications to the HSRS have enabled smoother surgical procedures for RARP.

Perioperative, functional, and oncologic outcomes in obese patients undergoing Da Vinci robot-assisted radical prostatectomy: a systematic review and meta-analysis

ObjectiveThe influence of robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) in obese (OB) and non-obese (NOB) prostate cancer patients remains a topic of debate. The objective of this study was to juxtapose the perioperative, functional, and oncologic outcomes of RARP in OB and NOB cohorts.Materials and methodsWe systematically searched the databases such as PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library database to identify relevant studies published in English up to September 2023. Review Manager was used to compare various parameters. The study was registered with PROSPERO (CRD42023473136). Sixteen comparative trials were included for 8434 obese patients compared with 55,266 non-obese patients.ResultsThe OB group had a longer operative time (WMD 17.8 min, 95% CI 9.7,25.8; p < 0.0001), a longer length of hospital stay (WMD 0.18 day, 95% CI 0.12,0.24; p < 0.00001, a higher estimated blood loss (WMD 50.6 ml, 95% CI 11.7,89.6; p = 0.01), and higher pelvic lymphadenectomy rate (RR 1.08, 95% CI 1.04,1.12; p < 0.0001)and lower nerve sparing rate (RR 0.95, 95% CI 0.91,0.99; p < 0.01), but there was no difference between unilateral (RR 1.0, 95% CI 0.8,1.3; p = 0.8)and bilateral (RR 0.9, 95% CI 0.9,1.0; p = 0.06)nerve sparing rate. Then, complication rates (RR 1.6, 95% CI 1.5,1.7; p < 0.00001) were higher in the OB group, and both major (RR 1.4, 95% CI 1.1,1.8; p = 0.01)and minor (RR 1.4, 95% CI 1.1,1.7; p < 0.01)complication rates were higher in the OB group. Moreover, obese patients showed significantly higher probabilities of incontinence (RR 1.17, 95% CI 1.03,1.33; p = 0.01) and impotency (RR 1.08, 95% CI 1.01,1.15; p = 0.02) at 1 year. Last, the positive surgical margin (RR 1.2, 95% CI 1.1,1.3; p < 0.01) was higher in the OB group.ConclusionIn the obese group, perioperative outcomes, total complications, functional outcomes, and oncologic outcomes were all worse for RARP. Weight loss before RARP may be a feasible strategy to improve the prognosis of patients.

Reply to Editorial Comment on “Association of Crowd-Sourced Assessment of Technical Skills and Outcomes of Robotic-assisted Radical Prostatectomy”

Reply to Editorial Comment on “Association of Crowd-Sourced Assessment of Technical Skills and Outcomes of Robotic-assisted Radical Prostatectomy”

Association of Crowd-Sourced Assessment of Technical Skills and Outcomes of Robotic-assisted Radical Prostatectomy

ObjectiveTo investigate if use of the Crowd-Sourced Assessment of Technical Skills (CSATSTM) platform and video peer review with constructive feedback is associated with improvement in technical skill and patient outcomes for robotic-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy (RALP). MethodsFive fellowship-trained urologists voluntarily submitted RALP cases for CSATSTM Global Evaluative Assessment of Robotic Skills (GEARS) scoring and expert narrative review between April 15, 2022 - April 30, 2023. Surgeon-selected and randomly-selected cases were reviewed. Surgeons underwent local peer review of videos with constructive feedback. Change in GEARS scores and frequency of post-operative outcomes over the 12-month periods before and during the study were analyzed in logistic regression models. Bias was assessed with sensitivity analysis comparing surgeon-selected to randomly-selected cases. ResultsGEARS scores for randomly-selected versus surgeon-selected cases did not differ significantly. Overall GEARS score correlated positively with annual surgical RALP volume (r=0.39, p=0.003) and negatively with years in practice (r=-0.34, p=0.01). After adjusting for confounders, there was no significant improvement in overall GEARS Score (0.01±0.02/month, p=0.48); but likelihood of sepsis (Odds Ratio 0.07, 95% CI 0.01-1.00, p=0.05) and pelvic fluid collection (Odds Ratio 0.09, 95% CI 0.01-0.99, p=0.049) were significantly decreased during the intervention period (n=165) compared to the prior 12 months (n=144). No outcome increased in likelihood (p>0.05). ConclusionsIntegration of CSATSTM and local video peer review is associated with significant improvement in patient outcomes after RALP, despite no significant change in surgeons’ GEARS scores. This is the first study demonstrating improvement in patient RALP outcomes after implementation of such a paradigm in practicing surgeons.

Does previous transurethral resection of the prostate affect the outcomes in robotic assisted radical prostatectomy?

Transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) is one of the surgical options for treating enlarged prostates with lower urinary symptoms (LUTS). In this older group of patients, concomitant prostate cancer is not uncommon. However, the fibrosis and distortion of the prostate anatomy by prior TURP can potentially hinder surgical efficacy at robotic-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP). We aim to evaluate functional, and oncologic outcomes of RARP in patients with and without previous TURP. 231 men with previous TURP underwent RARP (TURP group). These men were propensity score matched using clinicopathological characteristics to men without previous TURP who underwent RARP (Control group). Perioperative and postoperative variables were analysed for significant differences in outcomes between groups. Variables analysed included estimated blood loss (EBL), operative time, catheter time, hospitalization time, postoperative complications, positive surgical margins (PSM) rates, cancer status, biochemical recurrence (BCR), potency, and continence rates. Patients in the TURP group showed no statistically significant differences in operative safety measures including median EBL, operative time, catheter time, hospitalization time or postoperative complications. No significant difference between the groups in terms of potency rates and continence rates. Furthermore, there were no statistically significant differences in oncological outcomes, including PSM rates (15% vs 18%, P = 0.3) and BCR. In RARP after TURP there is often noticeable distortion of the surgical anatomy. For an experienced team the procedure is safe and provides similar oncologic control and functional outcomes to RARP in patients without previous TURP.

2 - Functional outcomes of robot-assisted radical prostatectomy performed with the novel Hugo robotic system: Our experience with first 100 cases

2 - Functional outcomes of robot-assisted radical prostatectomy performed with the novel Hugo robotic system: Our experience with first 100 cases

Robot-assisted radical prostatectomy with the Hugo™ robot-assisted surgery system: A single-center initial experience in Japan.

Recently, various novel robotic systems have been put into clinical use. The aim of the present study was to assess the perioperative outcomes of robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) using the Hugo™ RAS system, one of brand-new robot-assisted surgical platforms. We performed RARP with the Hugo™ RAS system in 13 cases of localized prostate cancer (PCa) between August 2023 and February 2024 at our hospital. The perioperative outcomes of these 13 patients were assessed. The median operative and console times were 197 (interquartile range [IQR], 187-228) and 134 min (IQR, 125-157), respectively. The median docking time was 7 min (IQR, 6-10), and the median estimated blood loss was 150 mL (IQR, 80-250). The vesical catheter was removed on postoperative day 6 in all cases. A positive surgical margin was observed in one patient (7.7%), and none experienced major perioperative complications, defined as Clavien-Dindo classification ≥3. The median postoperative length of stay was 8 days (IQR, 8-8.5). This was the first study to focus on RARP using the Hugo™ RAS system in Japan. Although further investigations should be conducted to assess the long-term oncological and functional outcomes, the Hugo™ RAS system could provide safe and favorable perioperative outcomes for patients with localized PCa undergoing RARP.

Da Vinci vs. Hugo RAS for robot-assisted radical prostatectomy: a prospective comparative single-center study.

To evaluate Hugo RAS against the Da Vinci system for Robot-Assisted Radical Prostatectomy (RARP) in prostate cancer treatment. We compared outcomes of 150 patients with prostate cancer undergoing RARP with either Hugo or Da Vinci systems. Our analysis included operative, postoperative, pathological, and functional outcomes. Both groups had 75 patients. Baseline characteristics and tumor features were similar. Intraoperatively, Da Vinci had a shorter docking time (10.45 vs. 18.62min, p = 0.02), but total operative times were comparable (145.34 vs 138.95, p = 0.85). Hugo outperformed in neck dissection and lymphadenectomy times (22 vs 13.67min, p = 0.027 and 37.82 vs 45.77min, p = 0.025). Postoperative metrics like stay duration, catheter time, and complications showed no significant difference. Functional results, using IPSS and IIEF5, were similar between systems. Six Da Vinci patients (8%) and nine Hugo patients (12%) experienced social incontinence (p = 0.072). Pathological outcomes like T stage, Gleason Score, and nodes removed were alike. However, Hugo had more positive surgical margins (20% vs. 10.67%, p = 0.034). RARP outcomes using Hugo RAS were similar to the Da Vinci system in our study. More research and extended follow-up are required to ascertain long-term oncological and functional results.

Impact of the coronavirus disease pandemic on robot-assisted radical prostatectomy and urologists' treatment behaviors: A single tertiary center retrospective study.

To assess whether the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic affected the outcomes of robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) and urologists' treatment behaviors. We retrospectively examined the medical records of 208 patients who had undergone RARP between August 2017 and December 2022. We compared the rate of preoperative androgen deprivation therapy (ADT), waiting period for RARP, patients' baseline characteristics and quality of life (QOL), proportion of adverse pathology on the RARP specimen, rate of Gleason grade group upgrading from biopsy to the RARP specimen, and prostate-specific antigen (PSA) recurrence-free survival between the pre-pandemic and pandemic groups. The rate of preoperative ADT was significantly higher during than before the COVID-19 pandemic (13.7% vs. 1.9%; p = 0.002). The baseline physical and mental QOL scores did not differ significantly between the groups. The proportion of D'Amico low-risk patients was significantly lower (13.6% vs. 1.2%, p = 0.005) and waiting period for RARP was significantly shorter (median 3.5 months vs. 4.0 months, p = 0.016) in the pandemic group than in the pre-pandemic group. There was no significant difference in the proportion of adverse pathology between the groups (p = 0.104); however, the upgrading rate was significantly higher in the pre-pandemic group (p = 0.002). There was no significant difference in PSA recurrence-free survival between the groups (log-rank, p = 0.752). The COVID-19 pandemic did not adversely affect the oncologic outcomes of RARP and QOL before RARP. However, it caused urologists to increase the use of preoperative ADT and to reserve RARP for higher-risk cases.

Robot-Assisted Radical Prostatectomy Performed with the Novel Hugo™ RAS System: A Systematic Review and Pooled Analysis of Surgical, Oncological, and Functional Outcomes.

Background/Objectives: to assess surgical, oncological, and functional outcomes of robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) performed using the novel Hugo™ RAS system. Methods: A systematic review was conducted following the PRISMA guidelines, using PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and Embase databases. Eligible papers included studies involving adult males undergoing RARP with the Hugo™ RAS platform, with at least ten patients analyzed. The pooled analysis was performed using a random-effect model. Results: Quantitative analysis was conducted on 12 studies including 579 patients. The pooled median docking time, console time, and operative time were 11 min (95% CI 7.95-14.50; I2 = 98.4%, ten studies), 142 min (95% CI 119.74-164.68; I2 = 96.5%, seven studies), and 176 min (95% CI 148.33-203.76; I2 = 96.3%, seven studies), respectively. The pooled median estimated blood loss was 223 mL (95% CI 166.75-280.17; I2 = 96.5%, eleven studies). The pooled median length of hospital stay and time to catheter removal were 2.8 days (95% CI 1.67-3.89; I2 = 100%, ten studies) and 8.3 days (95% CI 5.53-11.09; I2 = 100%, eight studies), respectively. The pooled rate of postoperative CD ≥ 2 complications was 4.1% (95% CI 1-8.5; I2 = 63.6%, eleven studies). The pooled rate of positive surgical margins and undetectable postoperative PSA were 20% (95% CI 12.6-28.5; I2 = 71.5%, nine studies) and 94.2% (95% CI 87.7-98.6; I2 = 48.9%, three studies), respectively. At three months, a pooled rate of social continence of 81.9% (95% CI 73.8-88.9; I2 = 66.7%, seven studies) was found. Erectile function at six months was 31% in one study. Conclusions: despite the preliminary nature of the evidence, this systematic review and pooled analysis underscores the feasibility, safety, and reproducibility of the Hugo™ RAS system in the context of RARP.

HinotoriTM vs. da Vinci®: propensity score-matched analysis of surgical outcomes of robot-assisted radical prostatectomy.

hinotori™ is a recently developed surgical robot system. The present study aims to compare intraoperative and postoperative outcomes of robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) by the hinotori™ system compared with those of the longer-established da Vinci® system. This study includes 100 consecutive patients who underwent RARP by da Vinci® and 60 patients who underwent RARP by hinotori™. To minimize imbalances of patient demographics between the two groups, 1:1 propensity score-matching was performed, and 43 patients each were assigned to the da Vinci® and hinotori™ groups after matching. In the propensity score-matched cohort, we could not find significant differences in patient demographics between the two groups. Surgical outcomes, operative time, and console time in the hinotori™ group were significantly longer than those in the da Vinci® group. Meanwhile, we could not find significant differences in other outcomes between the two groups, such as estimated blood loss, intraoperative complications, major postoperative complications (Clavien-Dindo grade 3 or 4) or length of hospital stay after surgery. The rate of positive cancer margin in the hinotori™ group was higher than that in the da Vinci® group, but significant difference could not be found between the two groups. Moreover, we could not find significant differences in urinary continence rates after surgery between the da Vinci® and hinotori™ groups. Our results suggest that the hinotori™ surgical robot system could provide comparable surgical outcomes to that of the da Vinci® system for patients undergoing RARP.

Robot-assisted radical prostatectomy in patients after endoscopic surgeries on the prostate

Background. In literature, data on the results of robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) in patients after transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) are contradictory.Aim. To evaluate surgical, functional, and oncological outcomes of RARP after TURP.Materials and methods. At the Urology Center of the Mariinsky Hospital (Saint Petersburg), RARP was performed on 410 patients. Among them, 28 (6.8 %) patients (1st group) previously underwent TURP due to infravesical obstruction. Among them, 18 (64.3 %) patients were diagnosed with prostate cancer after pathomorphological examination of the tissue resected during TURP, and on them RARP was performed on average 3.2 months later. In 10 (35.7 %) patients, prostate cancer was diagnosed during transrectal biopsy due to increased prostate-specific antigen level; on them RARP was performed on average 42.0 months after TURP. The following parameters were evaluated: operative time, time of bladder neck reconstruction and urethrovesical anastomosis formation, blood loss volume, tumor pathological stage, Gleason score, surgical margin status, rates of urine continence and preservation of erectile function.Results. Mean operative time was higher in the 1st group compared to the 2nd: 210 ± 36 min versus 180 ± 25 min (р &lt;0.0001). In the 1st group compared to the 2nd, reconstruction of bladder neck was necessary more frequently (82.1 % versus 10.7 %; р &lt;0.0001), urethrovesical anastomosis took longer time (32 ± 2.3 min versus 24.5 ± 3.1 min; р &lt;0.0001), mean blood loss volume was higher (240 ± 39 mL versus 170 ± 32 mL; р &lt;0.0001). Frequencies of positive surgical margin were 14.3 and 10.7 % respectively in the 1st and 2nd groups (р = 0.840). Frequencies of all complications were 28.6 and 21.4 %, respectively. Severe complications (≥IIIb grade per the Clavien classification) were observed in 2 (7.1 %) patients in both groups. Frequency of anastomosis stricture after surgery was significantly higher in the 1st group: in 2 (7.1 %) and 1 (3.6 %) case, respectively (р &lt;0.05). In the 1st group, total urinary continence was achieved in 14 (50.0 %), 20 (71.5 %), 22 (78.5 %) and 25 (89.3 %) patients at early and 3-, 6and 12-month follow-up after RARP; in the 2nd group, it was achieved in 18 (64.3 %), 22 (78.6 %), 24 (85.7 %) and 26 (92.9 %) patients in the same follow-up periods. After 6 and 12 months, in the 1st group among 15 (53.6 %) patients with normal initial erectile function, satisfactory erectile function was preserved in 46.7 and 93.3 % of patients; in the 2nd group among 19 (67.8 %) patients, in 57.8 and 94.7 % patients, respectively.Conclusion. RARP after TURP is a relatively complicated surgical intervention with long operative time and high blood loss volume. However, functional and short-term oncological outcomes of RARP in these patients do not differ at 12 months.

Functional outcomes of robot-assisted radical prostatectomy with preservation of pelvic stabilized structure and early elevated retrograde liberation of neurovascular bundle

Objectives: To examine the functional outcomes of robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) with preservation of pelvic floor stabilized structure and early elevated retrograde liberation of the neurovascular bundle (PEEL). Methods: This study was a retrospective cohort study. Between June 1, 2022, and March 20, 2023, 27 cases of RARP with PEEL and 153 cases of RARP with preservation of pelvic floor stabilized structure (PPSS) were included in this study. All patients were males, aged (62.5±5.2) years (range: 50 to 73 years). There were 18 cases of ≤T2b stage and 9 cases of T2c stage. After 1∶1 propensity score matching, the postoperative functional outcomes of 27 cases of RARP with PEEL and 27 cases of RARP with PPSS were compared. All surgeries were performed by a single surgeon and included patients were clinically staged as cT1-2N0M0 without preoperative urinary incontinence or erectile dysfunction. In RARP with PEEL, the prostate was cut near the midline at the front when dissecting the neurovascular bundle, dissection was performed between the visceral layer of the pelvic fascia and the prostatic fascia, preserving the parietal layer and the visceral layer of the pelvic fascia, and the neurovascular bundle was retrogradely released from the apex. The cumulative probability curve was plotted using the Kaplan-Meier method and the Log-rank test was used to compare the differences in functional outcomes between the two groups. Univariate and multivariate analysis with the Cox proportional hazards model was used to compare postoperative urinary continence and sexual function. Results: The recovery time of continence and potency was significantly longer in the PPSS group than in the PEEL group (all P<0.05). The continence rate of the PEEL group was significantly higher than that of the PPSS group (92.59% vs. 68.10%, P=0.026) at 3 months after surgery. The potency rate of the PEEL group was also significantly higher than that of the PPSS group (40.70% vs. 15.10%, P=0.037) at 3 months after surgery. In the univariate analysis, compared to the PPSS technique, the PEEL technique was associated with a shorter recovery time of continence (HR=1.94, 95%CI: 1.08 to 3.48, P=0.027) and a shorter recovery time of potency (HR=2.06, 95%CI: 1.03 to 4.13, P=0.042). In the multivariate analysis, the PEEL technique was an independent prognosis factor for postoperative recovery of continence (HR=2.05, 95%CI: 1.01 to 4.17, P=0.047) and potency (HR=3.57, 95%CI: 1.43 to 8.92, P=0.007). All the cases of the PPSS group and the PEEL group were performed successfully with negative surgical margins. Conclusion: Compared with PPSS, PEEL may be more conducive to the recovery of urinary continence and sexual function after RARP.

Technological development of robot-assisted radical prostatectomy

The surgical outcomes of robot-assisted radical prostatectomy have shown remarkable improvement over the last two decades since its advent, due to advances in surgical concepts, techniques, and equipment. Today, ongoing research aims to compare the benefits and drawbacks of various surgical approaches, such as anterior, posterior, lateral, transvesical, and transperineal approaches, in terms of tumor control, functional recovery, and complication reduction in order to achieve the goal of pentafecta (no postoperative complications and negative surgical margins in addition to trifecta) to the maximum extent. It is imperative to explore and integrate novel technologies such as 5G remote surgery and artificial intelligence into the clinical practice of robot-assisted radical prostatectomy while ensuring patient safety, which has immense potential for substantial benefits to patients with prostate cancer.

Urinary Incontinence Following Robotic-Assisted Radical Prostatectomy: A Literature Review.

Prostate cancer ranks as one of the most prevalent cancers among men in the United States, contributing significantly to cancer-related mortality. Robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) has become a cornerstone in the management of localized prostate cancer. This literature review delves into the outcomes of RARP, specifically its impact on urinary incontinence (UI) compared to other surgical methods. We also present the importance of patient perception versus medical reports. Recent studies and trials have unveiled that postoperative UIand erectile dysfunction (ED) remain common concerns following prostatectomy. However, studies have shown that RARP has lower occurrences of UI and ED compared to radical retropubic prostatectomy (RRP). While the choice of surgical method may not drastically affect these outcomes, the review emphasizes that urinary incontinence extends beyond physical symptoms. It profoundly impacts patients' psychological well-being, social interactions, and overall quality of life. Differences in symptom recording and interpretation between patients and healthcare professionals can significantly influence the diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer. Enhanced patient-physician communication and patient-centered care are essential to providing a holistic approach to prostate cancer management. The choice of surgical methods may not significantly impact postoperative urinary incontinence and erectile dysfunction. Continued research and advancements in treatment and patient care are crucial for improving outcomes and the overall well-being of prostate cancer patients.

Six-year outcomes of robot-assisted radical prostatectomy versus volumetric modulated arc therapy for localized prostate cancer: A propensity score-matched analysis

BackgroundAlthough robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) and intensity-modulated radiotherapy are the leading respective techniques of prostatectomy and radiotherapy for localized prostate cancer, almost no study has directly compared their outcomes; none have compared mortality outcomes.MethodsWe compared 6‑year outcomes of RARP (n = 500) and volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT, a rotational intensity-modulated radiotherapy, n = 360) in patients with cT1-4N0M0 prostate cancer. We assessed oncological outcomes, namely overall survival (OS), cancer-specific survival (CSS), radiological recurrence-free survival (rRFS), and biochemical recurrence-free survival (bRFS), using propensity score matching (PSM). We also assessed treatment-related complication outcomes of prostatectomy and radiotherapy.ResultsThe median follow-up duration was 79 months (> 6 years). PSM generated a matched cohort of 260 patients (130 per treatment group). In the matched cohort, RARP and VMAT showed equivalent results for OS, CSS, and rRFS: both achieved excellent 6‑year outcomes for OS (> 96%), CSS (> 98%), and rRFS (> 91%). VMAT had significantly longer bRFS than RARP, albeit based on different definitions of biochemical recurrence. Regarding complication outcomes, patients who underwent RARP had minimal (2.6%) severe perioperative complications and achieved excellent continence recovery (91.6 and 68.8% of the patients achieved ≤ 1 pad/day and pad-free, respectively). Patients who underwent VMAT had an acceptable rate (20.0%) of grade ≥ 2 genitourinary complications and a very low rate (4.4%) of grade ≥ 2 gastrointestinal complications.ConclusionOn the basis of PSM after a 6-year follow-up, RARP and VMAT showed equivalent and excellent oncological outcomes, as well as acceptable complication profiles.

Oncological outcomes in robot-assisted radical prostatectomy: the value of PSA density as a preoperative predictive factor.

Pretreatment assessment of patients diagnosed with localized prostate cancer (PCa) is essential for therapeutic decision-making. Currently available staging systems based on prostate-specific antigen (PSA), Gleason score, and clinical stage allow for determining the prognostic characteristics of these patients. Several studies have evaluated the preoperative use of prostate-specific antigen density (PSAD) as a prognostic factor for further risk stratification. To date, the role of PSAD in this setting is still an object of debate. The present analysis aimed to assess the predictive potential of PSAD for adverse oncological outcomes after robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) and to compare its accuracy to preoperative PSA (pPSA). We retrospectively reviewed 427 patients diagnosed with localized PCa who underwent RARP at a single institution between January 2015 and January 2020. Generating receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curves, calculating areas under the curves (AUCs), and using a linear regression model, we analyzed the association of PSAD and pPSA with postoperative positive surgical margins (PSM), Gleason score ⩾ 7, persistent PSA, and biochemical recurrence (BCR), with a median follow-up of 47 months. PSAD showed a significant association with PSM (p < 0.0001), PSA persistence (p < 0.0001), and Gleason ⩾ 7 (p < 0.0001), without being statistically significant in predicting BCR (p = 0.098). The predictive value of PSAD was comparable to pPSA for outcomes of PSA persistence (AUC 0.727 versus 0.771) and Gleason ⩾ 7 (AUC 0.683 versus 0.649). PSAD is a predictive factor for postoperative oncological outcomes of PSM, Gleason score ⩾ 7, and persistence of PSA. Despite the need for further studies, PSAD could be useful as a prognostic parameter in conjunction with established staging systems.

Impacts on functional and oncological outcomes of Robotic-assisted Radical Prostatectomy 10 years after the US Preventive Service Taskforce recommendations against PSA screening.

In the following years after the United States Preventive Service Task Force (USPSTF) recommendation against prostate cancer screening with PSA in 2012, several authors worldwide described an increase in higher grades and aggressive prostate tumors. In this scenario, we aim to evaluate the potential impacts of USPSTF recommendations on the functional and oncological outcomes in patients undergoing robotic-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) in a referral center. We included 11396 patients who underwent RARP between 2008 and 2021. Each patient had at least a 12-month follow-up. The cohort was divided into two groups based on an inflection point in the outcomes at the end of 2012 and the beginning of 2013. The inflection point period was detected by Bayesian regression with multiple change points and regression with unknown breakpoints. We reported continuous variables as median and interquartile range (IQR) and categorical variables as absolute and relative percent frequencies. Group 1 had 4760 patients, and Group 2 had 6636 patients, with a median follow-up of 109 and 38 months, respectively. In the final pathology, Group 2 had 9.5% increase in tumor volume, 24% increase on Gleason ≥ 4+3 (ISUP 3) , and 18% increase on ≥ pT3. This translated to a 6% increase in positive surgical margins and 24% reduction in full nerve sparing in response to the worsening pathology. There was a significant decline in post-operative outcomes in Group 2, including a 12-month continence reduction of 9%, reduction in potency by 27%, and reduction of trifecta by 22%. The increasing number of high-risk patients has led to worse functional and oncologic outcomes. The initial rapid rise in PSM was leveled by the move towards more partial nerve sparing. Among somehistorical changes in prostate cancer diagnosis and management in the period of our study, theUSPSTF recommendationcoincided with worseoutcomes of prostate cancer treatment in a population who could benefit from PSA screening at the appropriate time.

Robot-assisted radical prostatectomy with Retzius-Sparing approach vs. modified Frankfurt: comparison of results at 1 year of follow-up

Robot-assisted radical prostatectomy has positioned itself as the approach of choice in the treatment of prostate cancer. To compare the outcomes of robot-assisted radical prostatectomy using the Retzius-Sparing (RS) approach against the modified Frankfurt (MF) technique. To describe the perioperative, functional and oncological outcomes of 13 patients with prostate cancer who underwent RS robotic radical prostatectomy compared to MF, evaluating pathological results, urinary continence, sexual function and oncological control in 1 year of follow-up. The average age was 64 years in RS group vs. 61 years in MF group. The values of total prostate antigen were higher in the RS group (25 ng/dl) vs. MF group (11 ng/dl). The volume of gland in RS group was 40.62 ml vs. 63.33 ml in the RS group. All patients were bilaterally neuropreserved, being statistically significant in favor of MF group (p = 0.016). Positive surgical margins were higher in R-S group (38.4%) vs. MF group (33.3%). With RS the same tendency to urinary continence is observed, with a significant difference in erectile function in favor of MF. This preliminary study shows better impact on erectile function.