Radikale Salvageprostatektomie bei lokalem Prostatakarzinomrezidiv nach Strahlentherapie

The effect of race/ethnicity on cancer-specific mortality after salvage radical prostatectomy

Background

To test the effect of race/ethnicity on cancer-specific mortality (CSM) after salvage radical prostatectomy (SRP).

Material and methods

We relied on the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results database (SEER, 2004–2016) to identify SRP patients of all race/ethnicity background. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression models addressed CSM according to race/ethnicity.

Results

Of 426 assessable SRP patients, Caucasians accounted for 299 (69.9%) vs. 68 (15.9%) African-Americans vs. 39 (9.1%) Hispanics vs. 20 (4.7%) Asians. At diagnosis, African-Americans (64 years) were younger than Caucasians (66 years), but not younger than Hispanics (66 years) and Asians (67 years). PSA at diagnosis was significantly higher in African-Americans (13.2 ng/ml), Hispanics (13.0 ng/ml), and Asians (12.2 ng/ml) than in Caucasians (7.8 ng/ml, p = 0.01). Moreover, the distribution of African-Americans (10.3%–36.6%) and Hispanics (0%–15.8%) varied according to SEER region. The 10-year CSM was 46.5% in African-Americans vs. 22.4% in Caucasians vs. 15.4% in Hispanics vs. 15.0% in Asians. After multivariate adjustment (for age, clinical T stage, lymph node dissection status), African-American race/ethnicity was an independent predictor of higher CSM (HR: 2.2, p < 0.01), but not Hispanic or Asian race/ethnicity. The independent effect of African-American race/ethnicity did not persist after further adjustment for PSA.

Conclusion

African-Americans treated with SRP are at higher risk of CSM than other racial/ethnic groups and also exhibited the highest baseline PSA. The independent effect of African-American race/ethnicity on higher CSM no longer applies after PSA adjustment since higher PSA represents a distinguishing feature in African-American patients.

The effect of lymph node dissection on cancer-specific survival in salvage radical prostatectomy patients

BACKGROUND

We hypothesized that lymph node dissection (LND) at salvage radical prostatectomy may be associated with lower cancer-specific mortality (CSM) and we tested this hypothesis.

METHODS

We relied on surveillance, epidemiology, and end results (2004-2016) to identify all salvage radical prostatectomy patients. Categorical, as well as univariate and multivariate Cox regression models tested the effect of LND (LND performed vs. not), as well as at its extent (log-transformed lymph node count) on CSM.

RESULTS

Of 427 salvage radical prostatectomy patients, 120 (28.1%) underwent LND with a median lymph node count of 6 (interquartile range [IQR], 3-11). According to LND status, no significant or clinically meaningful differences were recorded in PSA at diagnosis, stage and biopsy Gleason score at diagnosis, except for age at prostate cancer diagnosis (LND performed 63 vs. 68 years LND not performed, p < .001). LND status (performed) was an independent predictor of lower CSM (hazard ratio [HR] 0.47; p = .03). Similarly, lymph node count (log transformed) also independently predicted lower CSM (HR: 0.60; p = .01). After the 7th removed lymph node, the effect of CSM became marginal. The effect of N-stage on CSM could not be tested due to insufficient number of observations.

CONCLUSIONS

Salvage radical prostatectomy is rarely performed and LND at salvage radical prostatectomy is performed in a minority of patients. However, LND at salvage radical prostatectomy is associated with lower CSM. Moreover, LND extent also exerts a protective effect on CSM. These observations should be considered in salvage radical prostatectomy candidates.

Salvage Radical Prostatectomy: Baseline Prostate Cancer Characteristics and Survival Across SEER Registries

OBJECTIVE

To test for baseline prostate cancer characteristics and survival differences after salvage radical prostatectomy (SRP) across 18 Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) registries from 2004 to 2016.

METHODS

We tabulated prostate-specific antigen (PSA), cT stage, age, and SRP rates across individual SEER registries. Kaplan-Meier and competing risks regression methodologies depicted cancer-specific mortality and other cause mortality. Finally, overall mortality was compared with predicted life expectancy.

RESULTS

Overall, 428 SRP patients (2004-2016) were identified in the SEER database. Median follow-up duration was 74 months (interquartile range [IQR], 31-114). The median age at diagnosis was 68 years (IQR, 61-73 years) with a median PSA at diagnosis of 8.8 ng/mL (IQR, 5.4-18.6 ng/mL) and 10% cT3-4 stage (0%-23.8%). Variability existed across individual SEER registries regarding age, PSA, cT stage, and annual number of SRPs (0-17), as well as cumulative numbers of SRPs (7-73) between 2004 and 2016. At 10 years, cancer-specific mortality was 23.2% vs. other cause mortality 19.3%. Finally, SRP patients exhibited higher 10-year overall mortality (43.3%) than predicted by life tables (31.8%).

CONCLUSION

SRP is rarely performed. In most SEER registries, SRP use is very occasional. More than 2 average annual SRPs were reported in only 5 of all registries. Nonetheless, across all registries, SRP patients showed marginal to moderate differences in PSA, cT stage, and age at diagnosis. However, at 10 years of follow-up, 1 of 5 SRP patients died of other causes and observed overall mortality was higher than expected (36%).

Differences in Recurrence Rate and De Novo Incontinence after Endoscopic Treatment of Vesicourethral Stenosis and Bladder Neck Stenosis

Objectives

The objective of this study was to compare the recurrence rate and de novo incontinence after endoscopic treatment of vesicourethral stenosis (VUS) after radical prostatectomy (RP) and for bladder neck stenosis (BNS) after transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP).

Methods

Retrospective analysis of patients treated endoscopically for VUS after RP or for BNS after TURP at three German tertiary care centers between March 2009 and June 2016. Investigated endpoints were recurrence rate and de novo incontinence. Chi-squared tests and t-tests were used to model the differences between groups.

Results

A total of 147 patients underwent endoscopic therapy for VUS (59.2%) or BNS (40.8%). Mean age was 68.3 years (range 44–86), mean follow-up 27.1 months (1–98). Mean time to recurrence after initial therapy was 23.9 months (1–156), mean time to recurrence after prior endoscopic therapy for VUS or BNS was 12.0 months (1–159). Patients treated for VUS underwent significantly more often radiotherapy prior to endoscopic treatment (33.3 vs. 13.3%; p = 0.006) and the recurrence rate was significantly higher (59.8 vs. 41.7%; p = 0.031). The overall success rate of TUR for VUS was 40.2%, success rate of TUR for BNS was 58.3%. TUR for BNS is significantly more successful (p = 0.031). The mean number of TUR for BNS vs. TUR for VUS in successful cases was 1.5 vs. 1.8, which was not significantly different. The rate of de novo incontinence was significantly higher in patients treated for VUS (13.8 vs. 1.7%; p = 0.011). After excluding those patients with radiotherapy prior to endoscopic treatment, the recurrence rate did not differ significantly between both groups (60.3% for VUS vs. 44.2% for BNS; p = 0.091), whereas the rate of de novo incontinence (13.8 for VUS vs. 0% for BNS; p = 0.005) stayed significantly higher in patients treated for VUS.

Conclusion

Most patients with BNS are successfully treated endoscopically. In patients with VUS, the success rate is lower. Both stenoses differ with respect to de novo incontinence. Patients must be counseled regarding the increased risk of de novo incontinence after endoscopic treatment of VUS, independent of prior radiotherapy. Longer follow-up is warranted to address long-term outcomes.

Salvage radical prostatectomy after external beam radiation therapy: a systematic review of current approaches

BACKGROUND

Radical external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) is a standard treatment for prostate cancer patients. Despite this, the rate of intraprostatic relapses after primary EBRT is still not negligible. There is no consensus on the most appropriate management of these patients after EBRT failure. For these patients, local salvage therapy such as radical prostatectomy, cryotherapy, and brachytherapy may be indicated.

OBJECTIVE

The objectives of this review were to analyze the eligibility criteria for careful selection of appropriate patients and to evaluate the oncological results and complications for each method.

METHODS

A review of the literature was performed to identify studies of local salvage therapy for patients who had failed primary EBRT for localized prostate cancer.

RESULTS

Most studies demonstrated that local salvage therapy after EBRT may provide long-term local control in appropriately selected patients, although toxicity is often significant.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results suggest that for localized prostate cancer recurrence after EBRT, the selection of a local treatment modality should be made on a patient-by-patient basis. An improvement in selection criteria and an integrated definition of biochemical failure for all salvage methods are required to determine which provides the best oncological outcome and least comorbidity.

Post-prostatectomy incontinence: Etiology, evaluation, and management

Urinary incontinence after prostatectomy or radiation is a devastating problem in men and remains the most feared complication following the treatment of localized prostate cancer. With an increasing number of radical prostatectomies performed globally for prostate cancer, the impact of urinary incontinence on quality of life assumes an even greater importance. With the advent of male sling procedures, more men are now seeking treatment for incontinence. Since the introduction of the artificial urinary sphincter almost four decades ago, several surgical procedures have emerged to manage post-prostatectomy incontinence, including the male sling for milder forms of incontinence. Several of the newer procedures have shown promise in the United States; many others have been developed and utilized in other parts of the world, though they have not yet gained FDA approval in the United States. The present review seeks to illuminate the etiology, evaluation, and management of post-prostatectomy incontinence. An effort has been made to provide an algorithm to clinicians for appropriate surgical management. The surgical techniques of commonly performed procedures and their outcomes are described.

[EAU guidelines on prostate cancer. Part II: treatment of advanced, relapsing, and castration-resistant prostate cancer]

OBJECTIVES

Our aim is to present a summary of the 2010 version of the European Association of Urology (EAU) guidelines on the treatment of advanced, relapsing, and castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC).

METHODS

The working panel performed a literature review of the new data emerging from 2007 to 2010. The guidelines were updated, and the levels of evidence (LEs) and/or grades of recommendation (GR) were added to the text based on a systematic review of the literature, which included a search of online databases and bibliographic reviews.

RESULTS

Luteinising hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) agonists are the standard of care in metastatic prostate cancer (PCa). Although LHRH antagonists decrease testosterone without any testosterone surge, their clinical benefit remains to be determined. Complete androgen blockade has a small survival benefit of about 5%. Intermittent androgen deprivation (IAD) results in equivalent oncologic efficacy when compared with continuous androgen-deprivation therapy (ADT) in well-selected populations. In locally advanced and metastatic PCa, early ADT does not result in a significant survival advantage when compared with delayed ADT. Relapse after local therapy is defined by prostate-specific antigen (PSA) values > 0.2 ng/ml following radical prostatectomy (RP) and > 2 ng/ml above the nadir after radiation therapy (RT). Therapy for PSA relapse after RP includes salvage RT at PSA levels < 0.5 ng/ml and salvage RP or cryosurgical ablation of the prostate in radiation failures. Endorectal magnetic resonance imaging and 11C-choline positron emission tomography/computed tomography (CT) are of limited importance if the PSA is < 2.5 ng/ml; bone scans and CT can be omitted unless PSA is >20 ng/ml. Follow-up after ADT should include screening for the metabolic syndrome and an analysis of PSA and testosterone levels. Treatment of castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) includes second-line hormonal therapy, novel agents, and chemotherapy with docetaxel at 75 mg/m(2) every 3 wk. Cabazitaxel as a second-line therapy for relapse after docetaxel might become a future option. Zoledronic acid and denusomab can be used in men with CRPC and osseous metastases to prevent skeletal-related complications.

CONCLUSION

The knowledge in the field of advanced, metastatic, and CRPC is rapidly changing. These EAU guidelines on PCa summarise the most recent findings and put them into clinical practice. A full version is available at the EAU office or online at www.uroweb.org.

Pilot study of salvage laparoscopic prostatectomy for the treatment of recurrent prostate cancer

OBJECTIVE

• To evaluate feasibility, safety and oncological efficacy of salvage laparoscopic radical prostatectomy for pathology-proven biochemical recurrence after primary radiation therapy or cryotherapy for prostate cancer.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

• This retrospective pilot study examined 15 patients from 2004 to 2010 with biochemical recurrence after external beam radiation therapy (N= 8), brachytherapy (N= 6) or cryotherapy (N= 1). • Patients were treated with salvage laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (11 conventional, four robotic-assisted) with bilateral pelvic dissection.

RESULTS

• Median duration of surgery was 235 min. None of the following occurred: conversion to open surgery, transfusion, urethrovesical stenosis or perioperative or postoperative mortality. One patient presented with a rectal injury, repaired using uninterrupted sutures and a colostomy. One patient had anastomotic leak treated with prolonged Foley catheterization. • Pathological stage was pT2a in three, pT2b in three, pT3a in four, pT3b in three and pT4 in two patients; two patients had nodal metastasis. Within an 8-month median follow-up, 11 patients were disease-free and three had persistent postoperative prostate-specific antigen (PSA) elevation; the remaining patient experienced PSA recurrence after 21 months. • Seven patients achieved continence (no pads) by 8.4 months (median), one patient manifested severe incontinence corrected by implanting an artificial sphincter, and seven patients with a 12.6-month mean follow-up continued to need one or two pads per day. • Erectile dysfunction was present in five patients before surgery and in 14 patients after surgery.

CONCLUSION

• Salvage laparoscopic radical prostatectomy seems to offer a safe therapeutic alternative for patients failing primary radiation or cryotherapy. However, larger studies with longer-term data are required.

[Locally recurrent prostate cancer following radiation therapy: radical salvage prostatectomy]

Radical salvage prostatectomy represents a secondary local treatment with curative intent in patients with organ-confined prostate cancer (PC) recurrences following radiation therapy. Preoperative risk factors predicting organ-confined disease are initial low dose rate (LDR) brachytherapy, preoperative Gleason biopsy score<or=6, <or=50% biopsy cores involved with cancer, and a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) doubling time>12 months. Metastatic disease should be ruled out preoperatively by skeletal scintigraphy, abdominal computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging, and/or choline-PET/CT. Functionality of the lower urinary tract needs to be preoperatively evaluated by urethrocystoscopy and urodynamics. With appropriate patient selection, oncological control can be achieved in 80% of patients. A continence rate of 83%-96% depending on the type of previous radiation therapy is achievable.

[Appearance of carcinosarcoma after radiotherapy for local recurrence after radical prostatectomy. Case report and review of the literature]

Carcinosarcoma of the prostate is an extremely rare tumor. In the case of rapid tumor progression, especially after radiation therapy to the pelvis or after hormone deprivation therapy because of prostate cancer, this tumor entity should be considered, and immediate histological confirmation is required. The only curative therapy is immediate radical surgical excision. We report about the first case of a carcinosarcoma after salvage radiation therapy for local recurrence of adenocarcinoma of the prostate years after radical prostatectomy.

Critical review: is watchful waiting a viable management option for older men with prostate cancer?

Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer and the second-leading cause of death from cancer in U.S. men. For older men with early-stage prostate cancer, watchful waiting (also referred to as surveillance, expectant management, deferred/delayed therapy, or active monitoring) is a reasonable approach to aggressive therapy. The purpose of this article is to critically review published studies on the watchful waiting management option for prostate cancer within the past 5 years. The review of documented reports on watchful waiting reveals that there are both negative and positive indications toward watchful waiting. Further research is needed to change the perception of watchful waiting as a "do nothing" approach to the management of prostate cancer or a "death sentence" and to develop interventions that assist men to manage the uncertainty associated with living with prostate cancer to improve health and advance quality of life.

[Value of cystoprostatectomy in locally advanced prostate carcinoma]

Patients suffering from locally advanced prostate carcinoma are often stressed by debilitating local symptoms limiting their quality of life. At the same time life expectancy often exceeds several years, whereas urologists and oncologists tend to underestimate their patients' life expectancy. Cystoprostatectomy for locally advanced prostate carcinoma is a reasonable therapeutic option concerning frequency and kind of imminent complications and possibly alleviates or completely eliminates local symptoms in 80% or more. According to the literature cancer-specific 10-year survival rates are 38% or median cancer-specific survival lies between 24 and 31 months. The role of neoadjuvant or adjuvant hormonal therapy, chemotherapy, or radiotherapy has not yet been defined. Mostly after cystoprostatectomy due to locally advanced prostate carcinoma an ileal conduit is formed for urinary diversion, but also orthotopic neobladders or continent pouches are used. Incontinence rates for orthotopic neobladders may reach 50% and more. In synopsis cystoprostatectomy may be a viable therapeutic option for patients suffering from locally advanced prostate carcinoma. It surely is important that the indication for surgery is based on an individual decision.

Perineal Salvage Prostatectomy for Radiation Resistant Prostate Cancer

OBJECTIVES

No data are available on the use of perineal prostatectomy for salvage treatment of local recurrent prostate cancer after radiotherapy. Here we report on the clinical aspects and follow-up of salvage perineal prostatectomy.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Twenty-seven patients underwent a perineal salvage prostatectomy from 1997-2005 for biopsy-proven local recurrent prostate cancer after external beam (n=22) or brachyradiotherapy (n=5). Staging included physical examination, prostate-specific antigen (PSA), transrectal ultrasound, computed tomography scan, and bone scan.

RESULTS

Mean PSA before surgery was 8.6 ng/ml (+/-2.8 ng/ml). Comparing clinical staging with final pathologic staging after salvage perineal prostatectomy showed a 67% clinical understaging. Mean blood loss was 677 cc, and perioperative morbidity consisted of prolonged anastomotic leakage (n=8), urosepsis (n=3), prolonged hematuria (n=3), urinary retention (n=2), and rectal perforation (n=1). One patient died during the postoperative course because of urosepsis and endocarditis. At an interval of at least 12 mo after surgery, 37% (10 of 27) and 7% (2 of 27) of patients reported normal continence and erectile function, respectively. Five patients died during a mean follow-up of 43 mo; two patients died of prostate cancer. Five-year biochemical recurrence-free survival was 31% (95%CI, 25-42%). In a multivariate Cox regression analysis the serum PSA and PSA doubling time (PSADT) at the time of surgery were the best predictors of biochemical recurrence-free survival. No patient with a PSA>2 ng/ml and a PSADT<12 mo was without biochemical recurrence 2 yr after surgery.

CONCLUSIONS

Salvage perineal prostatectomy showed functional results that favorably compare with the retropubic approach, but considerable morbidity is still frequent. Proper patient selection therefore is mandatory. A serum PSA level of >2 ng/ml and PSADT<12 mo independently predict shorter biochemical recurrence-free survival.

Salvage-radikale Prostatektomie

BACKGROUND

Following external beam radiation and interstitial radiation for prostate cancer, between 30% and 50% of the patients experience locoregional recurrence of their cancer. Although radical salvage prostatectomy is a secondary treatment option with curative intent, so far only a few hundred patients (<2%) worldwide have undergone this operation. The subject of this paper is a review of the world literature with reference to the frequency with this operation is performed and the technique, and also the prospects of success and possible complications.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

After radiotherapy, approximately 30% of biopsies are positive. Nonetheless, only 536 cases of salvage radical prostatectomy had been reported in the world literature up to 2005. The diagnosis of a local recurrence was always confirmed by rectal punch biopsy, pelvic CT and bone scintigraphy. Salvage radical prostatectomy with or without nerve sparing, with pelvic lymphadenectomy and, in some patients with cystectomy plus urinary diversion was the operative treatment applied.

RESULTS

Following secondary treatment after radiotherapy (RT), three parameters have been consistently identified as predictors of local failure: PSA nadir, time to nadir and PSA doubling time; clinical stage and type of first-line treatment are not helpful in predicting failure. The 5-year biochemical relapse-free survival rates are 77%, 71% and 28% for stages pT2, pT3a and pT3b/pN1, respectively. The success rate for salvage radical prostatectomy is thus similar to that for de novo radical prostatectomy for the same stages. In the past salvage radical prostatectomy following radiotherapy had a high complication rate.

CONCLUSIONS

A salvage radical prostatectomy with curative intent is a radical prostatectomy following radiotherapy also performed with curative intent. The reasons for the few literature reports of salvage RPX are: (1) oncological misgivings (too long a period of observation of PSA by the radiation oncologist/urologist; (2) misgivings to do with surgical technique, as the operation is technically challenging and involves a high risk of complications, especially incontinence. In recent times the comorbidity rate has become acceptable in cases in which the indications have been correctly observed. We believe that salvage prostatectomy should be considered only for patients in good general health whose life expectancy is over 10 years and who have recurrent cancer confirmed by punch biopsy 1 year or longer after the completion of radiotherapy and whose cancer was initially in an early (T1-2) clinical stage before their radiotherapy. Ideally, serum PSA should be less than 10 ng/ml both initially (before radiotherapy) and before salvage surgery. In addition, patients should be highly motivated and able to accept the surgical morbidity (50% incontinence rate).