Predictive factors associated with Gleason score underestimation on prostate biopsy in a monocentric cohort of 3,062 patients treated by mini-invasive radical prostatectomy

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Background: Gleason score (GS) on prostate biopsy is a critical factor in the initial evaluation of patients with prostate cancer (PC), and can lead to different therapeutic options. However, it may differ from the final pathologic result on radical prostatectomy (RP) specimen in up to 30 to 50% of cases. The aim of this study was to explore the clinicopathological features and outcomes associated with Gleason upgrading from biopsy to RP in a contemporary cohort and to develop an upgrading risk tool available preoperatively. Methods: Using a monocentric prospectively maintained database, we included 3,062 patients who underwent minimally invasive RP between 2005 and 2012. All biopsies and surgical specimens were analyzed by dedicated pathologists. We explored clinicopathological features and outcomes associated with Gleason upgrading from biopsy to RP. A multivariate logistic regression was used to develop a nomogram predicting upgrading for Gleason 6 PC. Results: The median number of biopsy cores was 12 (10 to 13). The GS on biopsy was respectively 6, 7, and more than 7 in 58.5%, 37.4%, and 4.1%. The GS on biopsy was consistent with the specimen in 42.7%. The GS was upgraded in 37.8% and the primary pattern was upgraded in 14.1%. Patients upgraded from biopsy Gleason 6 to Gleason 7 on RP had a longer time to biochemical recurrence than those with Gleason 7 on both biopsy and RP, but a shorter time to BCR than those who remained Gleason 6 on RP (p<0,0001). On multivariate analysis, variables predicting upgrading for Gleason 6 PC were: age (p=0.0014), abnormal digital rectal examination (p<0.0001), prostate-specific antigen density (p<0.0001), percentage of positive cores (p<0.0001) and body-mass index (p=0.037). A nomogram was generated and validated internally. Conclusions: Biopsy GS is misleading in one third of cases. Gleason upgrading from biopsy to PR seems to have consequences on the clinical outcomes. A nomogram using clinicopathological features can be useful to recognize the probability of upgrading in patients with Gleason 6 PC at initial evaluation. This could help to better choose therapeutic options in low-risk PC.

PSA patterns during off-time treatment period in patients undergoing intermittent androgen deprivation: Is PSA doubling time reliable in every case?

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Background: Indicators such as prostate-specific antigen (PSA) nadir after the first on-treatment period (ONTP), off-phase interval duration and PSA doubling time (PSADT) were interpreted as potentially predictive, regarding outcomes of intermittent androgen deprivation (IAD). From actual PSA measurement data recorded on patients undergoing IAD during their off-treatment period (OFTP), we conducted a systematic analysis aimed at screening indicators and finely assessing their relevance as predictive candidates. Methods: Between 1992 and 2012, 727 patients with PC were selected for IAD at our institution. Three hundred ten patients had biochemical recurrence (BCR) after local treatment, 172 showed metastatic disease. ONTP consisted of three-month dose injections of gonadatropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist combined with daily oral androgen receptor antagonist. OFTP was indicated when PSA was less than 4 ng/ml. Criteria for resumption of hormonal therapy were PSA more than 20 ng/ml or clinical symptoms. We tested two basic patterns of PSA behavior-exponential and power law (a<1) and combinations of them, on 597 patients with at least one completed OFTP based on four visits or more (population of the study). Results: We identified 597 patients with a total of 1,573 OFTPs. Median follow-up was 12,2 months (3,0-132,6). Median age at initiation was 76,7 (56,7 to 88,5); 811 OFTPs (51,6%) fitted with a pure exponential (r=0,01), whereas the other part (48,4%) followed more complex patterns (power law or two-steps or linear pattern). Mean cancer specific survival duration was 77,4 months (13,5 to 179,8). 5- and 10-year PC survival rate were respectively of 89,3% and 65,2% (CI 95%). Conclusions: Some OFTPs do not present an exponential pattern behavior: logarithmic calculation of PSADT is not suitable. PSADT determination should be adapted to the nature of the OFTP pattern. Through identification and analysis of the different types of OFTP, it is expected to improve the forecast of clinical outcomes.

Positive surgical margins after minimally invasive radical prostatectomy in patients with pT2 and pT3a disease could be considered pathological upstaging

OBJECTIVE

To assess the prognostic significance of positive surgical margins (PSMs) after minimally invasive radical prostatectomy (MIRP) in interaction with other established prognosis factors.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We retrospectively analysed data prospectively collected between 1998 and 2010 for 4628 consecutive patients who underwent MIRP for clinically localized prostate cancer. The impact of PSM on biochemical recurrence (BCR), defined as prostate-specific antigen (PSA) >0.2 ng/mL, was evaluated using multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression. Estimates of BCR-free survival were generated using the Kaplan-Meier method and compared among groups using the log-rank test.

RESULTS

The median follow-up was 55 months. On multivariable analysis, PSM was an independent prognostic factor for BCR (adjusted hazard ratio: 2.14 for PSMs vs negative surgical margins (NSMs); 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.86-2.45; P < 0.001). Other independent predictors for BCR were preoperative PSA, date of surgery, pT stage, Gleason score and lymph node involvement (all P < 0.001). The 5-year BCR-free probability was 80.6% (95% CI: 79-82.2) for NSMs vs 51% (95% CI: 47-55) for PSMs (log-rank P < 0.001). Patients with pT2 and pT3a PSMs had a similar prognosis to those with pT3a and pT3b NSMs, respectively (log-rank P ≥ 0.05).

CONCLUSION

A PSM after MIRP is associated with 2.14-fold increased risk of BCR. In patients with pT2 and pT3a disease, a PSM could be considered a pathological upstaging.

Focal brachytherapy for selected low-risk prostate cancers: a pilot study

PURPOSE

To evaluate the feasibility and the early toxicity of focal brachytherapy in highly selected localized prostate cancer patients.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

Twenty-one patients underwent a focal brachytherapy between February 2010 and March 2012, representing 3.7% of the cases treated by our group during this period. Patient selection was based on (at least) two series of prostate biopsies and a high-resolution MRI. Only patients with very limited and localized tumors, according to strict criteria, were selected for the procedure. The technique used a real-time procedure with the implantation of free (125)I seeds and dynamic dose calculation. The prescribed dose for the focal volume was 145Gy.

RESULTS

The treated volume corresponded to a mean value of 34% of the total prostatic volume (range, 20-48%). For the focal volume, the mean D90 and V100 was 183.2Gy (range, 176-188Gy) and 99.3% (range, 98.8-100%), respectively. The technique was performed in an hour and a half. When compared with a previous cohort treated by whole-prostate brachytherapy, urinary toxicity (International Prostate Symptom Score) was borderline reduced (p = 0.04) at 6 months only, whereas the recovery of the International Index of Erectile Function 5 was better (p = 0.014). The International Continence Score was nil in almost all cases as well as rectal toxicity.

CONCLUSION

Focal treatment by brachytherapy is easily feasible with little acute toxicity. Further investigation is needed to assess the results in terms of tumor control and long-term toxicity.

Morbidity of focal therapy in the treatment of localized prostate cancer

BACKGROUND

Focal therapy (FT) for prostate cancer (PCa) seems to be part of a natural evolution in the quest to improve the management of early organ-confined disease.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the morbidity of the initial experience of FT in a tertiary referral center for PCa management.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS

From 2009 to 2011, a total of 1213 patients with clinically localized PCa were treated at our institution. Of these patients, 547 were considered to have indolent disease according to the D'Amico criteria for low-risk disease plus unilateral disease with a maximum of three positive biopsies. A total of 106 patients underwent FT using high-intensity focused ultrasonography (HIFU), brachytherapy, cryotherapy, or vascular-targeted photodynamic therapy (VTP).

OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS AND STATISTICAL ANALYSIS

Complications were prospectively recorded and graded according to the Clavien-Dindo scale. Data were prospectively collected and retrospectively analyzed.

RESULTS AND LIMITATIONS

This study included 106 patients, median age 66.5 yr (interquartile range [IQR]): 61-73), who had a prostate hemiablation; 50 patients (47%) had cryotherapy, 23 patients (22%) had VTP, 21 patients (20%) received HIFU, and 12 patients (11%) had brachytherapy. The median prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level was 6.1 ng/ml (IQR: 5-8.1), all the patients had a biopsy Gleason score of 6, and the median prostate weight was 43 g (IQR: 33-55). The median International Prostate Symptom Score was 6 (IQR: 3-10), and the median International Index of Erectile Function score was 20 (IQR: 15-23). After treatment, the median PSA at 3, 6, and 12 mo was 3.1 2.9, and 2.7 ng/ml (IQR: 2-5.1, 1.1-4.7, and 1-4.4), respectively. Thirteen percent of the patients experienced treatment-related complications. There were 11 minor medical complications (10 grade 1 complications and 1 grade 2 complication), 2 grade 3 complications, and no grade 4 or higher complications.

CONCLUSIONS

FT for a highly selected population with PCa is feasible and had an acceptable morbidity with <2% major complications.

Evaluation of erectile function after laparoscopic radical prostatectomy in a single center

INTRODUCTION

To evaluate erectile function among men who had undergone laparoscopic radical prostatectomy and received postoperative medical therapy for erectile dysfunction.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We performed a prospective study in men who underwent laparoscopic radical prostatectomy between September 2003 and November 2005 at our center and who received penile rehabilitation after surgery. All patients had antegrade interfascial dissection. They received 10 mg tadalafil on the fifth postoperative day and continued to receive it every other day, regardless of erectile function. Intracavernous injection of alprostadil was initiated at 3 or 6 months depending on response to treatment with tadalafil. Follow up evaluations were done at 3, 6, 12, 18 and 24 months. Oncologic and functional outcomes and compliance were assessed. Patients filled in International Index of Erectile Function-5 (IIEF-5) questionnaires.

RESULTS

Of 1078 men who underwent laparoscopic radical prostatectomy during this time, 586 patients met inclusion criteria, complied with the study medication, and had complete data for 24 months. The patients had a median preoperative baseline IIEF-5 score of 22. A total of 150 patients (26%) underwent unilateral nerve-sparing surgery, while 436 patients (74%) had bilateral nerve-sparing surgery. At 24 months, 35% of patients who underwent unilateral nerve-sparing surgery and 68% of patients who underwent bilateral nerve-sparing surgery reported having sufficient erectile function for intercourse without using intracavernous injection of alprostadil. At 24 months after surgery, the median IIEF-5 score was 13 (1-25) for the whole cohort, 5 (1-25) for patients who had undergone unilateral nerve-sparing surgery, and 15 (1-25) for patients who had undergone bilateral nerve-sparing surgery.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings suggest that adequate patient selection and postoperative medical intervention allows the preservation or recovery of erectile function after laparoscopic radical prostatectomy. Inaccurate selection of patients and postoperative assessment might explain inferior erectile function results following this surgery.

Focal therapy with high-intensity focused ultrasound for prostate cancer in the elderly. A feasibility study with 10 years follow-up

PURPOSE

To evaluate the long-term efficacy of prostate cancer control and complication rates, in the elderly, after focal therapy with high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Between June 1997 and March 2000, patients with localized prostate cancer were included into a focal therapy protocol. Inclusion criteria were: PSA ≤ 10 ng/mL, ≤ 3 positive biopsies with only 1 lobe involved, clinical stage ≤ T2a, Gleason score ≤ 7 (3+4), negative CT scan and bone scan. Hemi-ablation of the prostate was performed with the Ablatherm® device. Survival, complication rates and urinary continence were evaluated. Control biopsies were performed at 1 year. Treatment failure was defined as a positive biopsy or need for salvage therapy.

RESULTS

Twelve patients with a mean age 70 years were included. Median follow-up was 10 years. Control prostate biopsies were negative in 11/12 (91%) patients. Overall survival was 83% (10/12) and cancer specific survival was 100% at 10 years. Two patients died from other causes. Recurrence free survival was 90% (95% CI; 0.71-1) at 5 years, and 38% (95% CI; 0.04-0.73) at 10 years. Five patients had salvage therapy with repeat HIFU (n = 1) or hormonal therapy (n = 4) and all salvage patients were alive at 10 years. No patients developed lymph node or bone metastasis. No patients suffered from urinary incontinence. International Prostate Symptom Score was stable at 1 year. Complications included two urinary tract infections and one episode of acute urinary retention.

CONCLUSIONS

Hemi-prostate ablation with HIFU can be safely performed in selected elderly patients with adequate long-term cancer control and low complication rates. Results from larger prospective studies using improved imaging techniques and extensive biopsy protocols are awaited.