The significance of a high preoperative PSA level for the detection of incidental prostate cancer in LUTS patients with large prostates

Modern predictors and management of incidental prostate cancer at holmium enucleation of prostate

BACKGROUND

To evaluate contemporary preoperative risk factors and subsequent postoperative management of incidental prostate cancer (iPCa) and incidental clinically significant prostate cancer (icsPCa, Grade Group [GG] ≥ 2 PCa).

METHODS

A retrospective cohort of 811 men undergoing Holmium enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP) (January 2021-July 2022) were identified. Advanced preoperative testing was defined as prostate health index (PHI), prostate MRI, and/or negative preoperative biopsy. Descriptive statistics (Whitney-Mann U test, Chi-squared test) and multivariable logistic regression were performed.

RESULTS

iPCa and icsPCa detection rates were 12.8% (104/811) and 4.4% (36/811), respectively. Advanced preoperative testing (406/811, 50%) was associated with younger age and higher (prostate specific antigen) PSA, prostate volume, and PSA density. On multivariable analysis, PHI ≥ 55 was associated with iPCa (OR 6.91, 95% CI 1.85-26.3, p = 0.004), and % free PSA (%fPSA) was associated with icsPCa (OR 0.83, 95% CI 0.67, 0.94, p = 0.01). GG1 disease comprised the majority of iPCa (65%, 68/104) with median 1% involvement. iPCa patients were followed with active surveillance (median follow up 9.3 months), with higher risk patients receiving prostate MRI and confirmatory biopsy. Three patients proceeded to radical prostatectomy or radiation.

CONCLUSIONS

In the era of MRI and advanced biomarkers, the majority of iPCa following HoLEP is low volume GG1 suitable for active surveillance. A tentative follow-up strategy is proposed. Patients with PHI ≥ 55 or low %fPSA, even with negative prostate MRI, can consider preoperative prostate biopsy before HoLEP.

Propensity score-matched evaluation of palliative transurethral resection and holmium laser enucleation of the prostate for bladder outlet obstruction in patients with prostate cancer

BACKGROUND

While transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) is the standard-of-care, Holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP) is widely accepted as a size-independent method for surgical treatment of patients with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) secondary to bladder outlet obstruction (BOO). However, in an ageing society an increasing number of patients presents with BOO due to locally advanced prostate cancer. There is currently no guidelines recommendation as to the enucleation or resection technique. Therefore, we compared intraoperative performance, postoperative outcomes, and safety for palliative (p)TURP and (p)HoLEP.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective, propensity score-matched analysis of 1373 and 2705 men who underwent TURP or HoLEP for LUTS/BOO between 2014 and 2021, respectively. Patients were matched for age, prostate size and preoperative international prostate symptom score (IPSS). Patients were stratified by technique and groups were compared for perioperative parameters, safety, and functional outcomes.

RESULTS

While postoperative symptoms and urodynamic parameters improved irrespective of technique, we report significantly increased resection and enucleation times for palliative indication. For corresponding efficiency parameters, we observed a two-fold higher surgical performance (g/min) for both techniques in patients without prostate cancer. While adverse events were comparable between groups, we found a two-fold higher hemoglobin drop in palliative patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Currently, there is no standard-of-care for patients with BOO and locally advanced prostate cancer. Our data show that both TURP and HoLEP offer adequate symptom improvement and comparable safety profiles. While HoLEP is feasible even in larger prostates, both procedures become more difficult in patients with prostate cancer. Taken together, this study covers an important gap in current literature, helping urological surgeons to make evidence-based decisions for the benefit of their patients.

Incidental prostate cancer after holmium laser enucleation of the prostate: Critical analysis of independent risk factors and impact on surgical outcomes

Objectives

The objectives of this study are to evaluate the impact of incidental prostate cancer (iPCa) and its different grade group (GG) on the surgical outcomes of holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP) and, furthermore, to assess the independent risk factors associated with the detection of iPCa.

Patients or materials and Methods

A retrospective chart review was conducted at a single institution for HoLEP cases that were performed between 2017 and 2022. Patients with a preoperative diagnosis of prostate cancer and those without baseline prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels within 1 year were excluded. Four hundred seventeen patients were divided into three groups: benign prostatic hyperplasia-377; clinically insignificant (GG 1)-29; and clinically significant prostate cancer (GG 2-5)-11. The preoperative parameters analysed included age, body mass index, race/ethnicity, use of 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors, PSA, prostate size, PSA density, and history of negative prostate biopsy. To evaluate the association between clinical and demographic variables, a multivariable-adjusted logistic regression analysis was performed. We also assessed intraoperative and post-operative outcomes among these three groups.

Results

A total of 417 patients were analysed; 40 (9.6%) patients had iPCa, of which 29 (72.5%) and 11 (27.5%) were clinically nonsignificant and significant prostate cancer, respectively. Of all the demographic and preoperative variables analysed, hypertension was significantly associated with overall prostate cancer diagnosis (p < 0.05), and no other variable including patient age, preoperative PSA, PSA density, prostate size, or prior prostate biopsy were associated with increased risk of overall prostate cancer or clinically significant prostate cancer diagnosis. Most cases of iPCa were GG1, and 34 (85%) were managed with active surveillance.

Conclusion

The rate of iPCa after HoLEP was 9.6%, with most cases being GG 1 (72.5%) and managed through active surveillance. Age, prostate size, baseline PSA, and prior negative prostate biopsies were not associated with increased risk of iPCa.

Robot-assisted radical prostatectomy following holmium laser enucleation of the prostate: perioperative, functional, and oncological outcomes

Robot-assisted radical prostatectomy with previous holmium laser enucleation of the prostate is challenging, and few studies have analyzed its perioperative, functional, and oncological outcomes. Here we retrospectively evaluated 298 robot-assisted radical prostatectomies, including 25 with and 273 without previous holmium laser enucleation of the prostate, performed in 2015-2022. Regarding perioperative outcomes, operative and console times were significantly longer in the previous holmium laser enucleation of the prostate group. In contrast, the estimated blood loss was similar between groups, and there were no transfusions or intraoperative complications. Multivariable Cox hazard regression analysis of the functional outcomes of postoperative urinary continence showed that body mass index, intraoperative bladder neck repair, and nerve sparing were independently associated factors, whereas a history of holmium laser enucleation of the prostate was not. Similarly, a history of holmium laser enucleation of the prostate was not associated with biochemical recurrence; however, positive surgical margins and seminal vesicle invasion were independent risk factors of biochemical recurrence. Our findings revealed that robot-assisted radical prostatectomy after holmium laser enucleation of the prostate was safe and raised no concerns of postoperative urinary incontinence or biochemical recurrence. Therefore, robot-assisted radical prostatectomy may be a treatment option for patients with prostate cancer after holmium laser enucleation of the prostate.

A Novel Nomogram for Identifying the Patients at Risk for Rapid Progression of Advanced Hormone-Sensitive Prostate Cancer

Purpose

The goal of this study was to assess the prognostic impact of the lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) in advanced prostate cancer (PCa) patients before progression to castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC).

Methods

A retrospective analysis of the follow-up data for 152 CRPC patients was performed. Severe LUTS symptom was defined as an International Prostate Symptoms Score (IPSS) ≥20 at baseline. Cox regression analysis was conducted to assess CRPC prognostic factors. Nomogram model was created and assessed using the concordance index (C-index), calibration curves, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves, and decision curve analyses (DCA).

Results

The median CRPC free survival of patients with severe LUTS was 20.5 months, significantly longer than that (7.5 months) of less symptomatic patients. Furthermore, severe LUTS, the hemoglobin, albumin, lymphocyte, and platelet (HALP) score, and Gleason sum were determined to be independent prognostic markers and combined to establish a nomogram, which performed well in the customized prediction of CRPC progression at 6th, 12th, 18th and 24th month. The C-index (0.794 and 0.816 for the training and validation cohorts, respectively), calibration curve, and ROC curve all validated the prediction accuracy. DCA curve showed that it could be effective in helping doctors make judgments. The Nomogram-related risk score separated the patients into two groups with notable progression differences.

Conclusion

Severe LUTS was significantly associated with decreased risk for rapid progression to CRPC. The developed nomogram could help identify patients who are at a high risk of rapid CRPC progression and provide tailored follow-up and therapeutic advice.

The Impact of Multiparametric Magnetic Resonance Imaging on Treatment Strategies for Incidental Prostate Cancer after Holmium Laser Enucleation of the Prostate

PURPOSE

To investigate the impact of multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI) on treatment strategies for incidental prostate cancer (iPCa) after holmium enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP); Methods: Data from 1781 men who underwent HoLEP for clinical bladder outlet obstruction between September 2009 and March 2022 were reviewed retrospectively. Among patients with confirmed iPCa, those with prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels < 10 ng/mL and who underwent mpMRI 3 months after HoLEP were included. Pathologic results, including Gleason grade (GG) and tumor volume, were identified. mpMRI was interpreted using the Prostate Imaging Reporting and Data System version 2 (PI-RADSv2). Treatment strategies for iPCa according to GG alone, or according to a combination of Gleason grade and mpMRI, were analyzed and compared.

RESULTS

Of 1764 men with serum PSA levels < 10 ng/mL, iPCa was confirmed in 64 (3.6%) after HoLEP. Of the 62 men who underwent mpMRI, the median (IQR) age at the time of HoLEP was 72.5 (66.5-78.0) years. The median PSA level and prostate volume were 3.49 (1.82-5.03) ng/mL and 49.6 (38.5-85.4) cm³, respectively. The pathologic results of iPCa were as follows: GG1 = 42 (67.7%), GG2 = 13 (21.0%), GG3 = 2 (3.2%), GG4 = 1 (1.6%), and GG5 = 4 (6.5%). Of the patients with GG1 and GG2, 78.6% (33/42) and 53.8% (7/13), respectively, underwent active surveillance (AS). However, of 42 patients with GG1, 27 (64.3%) had a PI-RADSv2 score of 2, and 24 (88.9%) of them underwent AS. Of the 13 patients with GG2, 4 (80%) with a PI-RADSv2 score of 2 underwent AS. All patients with GG 3-5 were clinically expected to have locally advanced PCa and be treated with radiotherapy and/or ADT.

CONCLUSIONS

For patients with iPCa of GG 1-2 after HoLEP, mpMRI helps to establish a treatment strategy by allowing risk stratification to select those who should be considered for AS or active treatment.

Relationships between holmium laser enucleation of the prostate and prostate cancer

Holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP) is a size-independent surgical option for treating benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) with excellent, durable functional outcomes. The prevalence of LUTS secondary to BPH and prostate cancer both increase with age, although the two diseases develop independently. Urologists often face a diagnostic dilemma, as men with LUTS secondary to BPH might also present with an elevated PSA and, therefore, need a diagnostic work-up to exclude prostate cancer. Nevertheless, ~15% of men with a negative elevated PSA work-up will undergo HoLEP and will be diagnosed with incidental prostate cancer at the time of HoLEP. Indeed, prostate cancer is often found in men undergoing HoLEP, and this situation can be challenging to manage. Variables associated with the detection of incidental prostate cancer, strategies to reduce incidental prostate cancer, as well as the natural history and management of this condition have been extensively studied, but further work in this area is still needed.

Detection rate and variables associated with incidental prostate cancer by holmium laser enucleation of the prostate

OBJECTIVES

Holmium laser enucleation of the prostate is well-established and effective for bladder outlet obstruction due to benign prostatic hyperplasia. The objective of this study was to examine the detection rate of incidental prostate cancer by holmium laser enucleation of the prostate and variables associated with them.

METHODS

A total of 612 patients were enrolled. We retrospectively examined the detection rate of incidental prostate cancer and perioperative variables associated with them.

RESULTS

Forty-nine of 612 patients were diagnosed with incidental prostate cancer. Univariate logistic regression analysis showed that higher prostate-specific antigen density (odds ratio 3.34, 95% confidence interval 1.02-10.94, P = 0.05), higher prostate-specific antigen density of the transition zone (odds ratio 2.28, 95% confidence interval 1.02-5.09, P = 0.04), and findings of the prostate cancer on magnetic resonance imaging (peripheral zone: odds ratio 4.71, 95% confidence interval 1.70-13.1, P = 0.003; transition zone: odds ratio 3.46, 95% confidence interval 1.74-6.86, P < 0.001; peripheral and transition zones: odds ratio 6.00, 95% confidence interval 1.51-23.8, P = 0.01) were significantly associated with incidental prostate cancer. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that findings of the prostate cancer on magnetic resonance imaging (peripheral zone: odds ratio 4.36, 95% confidence interval 1.49-12.8, P = 0.001; transition zone: odds ratio 3.54, 95% confidence interval 1.75-7.16, P < 0.001; peripheral and transition zones: odds ratio 6.14, 95% confidence interval 1.53-24.5, P = 0.01) was an independent risk factor for incidental prostate cancer.

CONCLUSION

The detection rate of incidental prostate cancer was 8.0%, and findings of the prostate cancer on magnetic resonance imaging were an independent predictive factor for incidental prostate cancer.

Systematic review and meta-analysis of the diagnostic accuracy of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) for the detection of prostate cancer in symptomatic patients

BACKGROUND

Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) is a commonly used test to detect prostate cancer. Attention has mostly focused on the use of PSA in screening asymptomatic patients, but the diagnostic accuracy of PSA for prostate cancer in patients with symptoms is less well understood.

METHODS

A systematic database search was conducted of Medline, EMBASE, Web of Science, and the Cochrane library. Studies reporting the diagnostic accuracy of PSA for prostate cancer in patients with symptoms were included. Two investigators independently assessed the titles and abstracts of all database search hits and full texts of potentially relevant studies against the inclusion criteria, and data extracted into a proforma. Study quality was assessed using the QUADAS-2 tool by two investigators independently. Summary estimates of diagnostic accuracy were calculated with meta-analysis using bivariate mixed effects regression.

RESULTS

Five hundred sixty-three search hits were assessed by title and abstract after de-duplication, with 75 full text papers reviewed. Nineteen studies met the inclusion criteria, 18 of which were conducted in secondary care settings with one from a screening study cohort. All studies used histology obtained by transrectal ultrasound-guided biopsy (TRUS) as a reference test; usually only for patients with elevated PSA or abnormal prostate examination. Pooled data from 14,489 patients found estimated sensitivity of PSA for prostate cancer was 0.93 (95% CI 0.88, 0.96) and specificity was 0.20 (95% CI 0.12, 0.33). The area under the hierarchical summary receiver operator characteristic curve was 0.72 (95% CI 0.68, 0.76). All studies were assessed as having a high risk of bias in at least one QUADAS-2 domain.

CONCLUSIONS

Currently available evidence suggests PSA is highly sensitive but poorly specific for prostate cancer detection in symptomatic patients. However, significant limitations in study design and reference test reduces the certainty of this estimate. There is very limited evidence for the performance of PSA in primary care, the healthcare setting where most PSA testing is performed.

Benign prostate hyperplasia as a potential protective factor against prostate cancer: Insights from a magnetic resonance imaging study of compositional characteristics

PURPOSE

The structural relationship between benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) and prostate cancer (Pca) is controversial. The purpose of our study was to examine the association between quantitative prostate compositional metrics by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and Pca.

METHODS

We identified 405 patients who underwent prostate MRI and biopsy and/or prostatectomy from January 2019 to January 2021 at our institution. Segmentation volumetric methods were used to assess central gland (CG) and peripheral zone (PZ) volume. PZ mean thickness and mean apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC), marker of underlying histologic components, were measured. Multivariable logistic regression was performed with outcomes of ≥Grade Group (GG) 2 Pca and for multifocal disease.

RESULTS

On multivariable analysis, higher CG volumes were at lower odds of ≥GG2 disease (n = 227) (OR: 0.97, 95% CI 0.96-0.98, p < 0.0001), taking into account PZ volume (p = 0.18) and thickness (p = 0.70). For every one cc increase in CG volume, there was an approximately 3% decrease in odds of ≥GG2 disease. Similar findings were noted for multifocal disease (n = 180) (OR: 0.97, 95% CI 0.96-0.98, p < 0.0001). Notably, ADC of the normal PZ was not significantly associated with CG volume (p = 0.21) nor a predictor of disease (p = 0.49).

CONCLUSIONS

Increasing central gland volume, driven by BPH, is associated with lower odds of significant Pca, including multifocal disease, while PZ anatomic and histologic surrogate changes were noncontributory. Findings support BPH impediment of global tumor growth predicted by theoretical mechanobiological model. This potential stabilizing factor should be further studied for risk stratification and in consideration for BPH therapy.

Holmium laser enucleation of the prostate: A truly size-independent method?

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the impact of prostate size on functional outcomes and perioperative morbidity, we analyzed patients undergoing holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP) for lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS). As LUTS secondary to benign prostatic obstruction (BPO) are a chronic progressive disease, prevalence and prostate size increase with age. HoLEP is a size-independent method for surgical treatment of LUTS/BPO and can be offered in medication-refractory patients with durable long-term results and reduced perioperative morbidity.

METHODS

We retrospectively collected data of 852 patients who underwent HoLEP for LUTS secondary to BPO between 2014-2018. Patients were divided into group 1 (≤60 cc), group 2 (>60 < 120 cc), group 3 (≥120 cc). Perioperative parameters, safety and short-term functional outcomes were assessed and analyzed.

RESULTS

Patients in group 3 were significantly older and showed a significantly higher median prostate-specific antigen level. Perioperative parameters, such as enucleation time and morcellation time significantly differed in favor of smaller prostate sizes, while enucleation and morcellation speed showed favorable results for larger prostate sizes. Larger prostates ≥120 cc showed a significantly higher postoperative drop in hemoglobin. However, patients did not differ in postoperative functional outcomes or Clavien-Dindo grade ≥II complications (4.8% of all patients [41/852]). There was no difference in perioperative complications between all groups (P = 0.760).

CONCLUSION

While larger prostates take significantly longer to operate on, postoperative functional outcomes show no difference between all sizes. In conclusion, HoLEP is a size-independent and effective method for surgical treatment of LUTS/BPO in prostates ≥30 cc.