Frozen Section for the Management of Intraoperatively Detected Palpable Tumor Lesions During Nerve-Sparing Scheduled Radical Prostatectomy

Nerve-sparing radical prostatectomy using the neurovascular structure-adjacent frozen-section examination (NeuroSAFE): results after 20 years of experience

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the long-term oncological outcomes and functional results of the neurovascular structure-adjacent frozen-section examination (NeuroSAFE) during nerve-sparing (NS) radical prostatectomy (RP).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A 10-yr survival analysis on 11069 RPs performed with or without the NeuroSAFE, between January 2002 to June 2011 was carried out. In the NeuroSAFE cohort, the neurovascular structure-adjacent prostatic margins are removed and stained for cryo-sectioning during RP. In case of a PSM, partial or full removal of the neurovascular bundle was performed. The impact of NeuroSAFE on biochemical recurrence-free survival (BFS), salvage radiation therapy-free survival, metastasis-free survival, and prostate cancer-specific survival at 10 years was analyzed. 1-year (1-yr) erectile function (EF), 1-yr, and 2-yr continence rates were assessed in propensity score-based matched cohorts.

RESULTS

Median follow-up was 121 (IQR: 73, 156) months. No differences in BFS between NeuroSAFE and non-NeuroSAFE were recorded (10-yr BFS: NeuroSAFE vs non-Neurosafe, pT2: 81% vs 84%, p = 0.06; pT3a: 58% vs. 63%, p = 0.6; ≥pT3b: 22% vs. 27%, p = 0.99). No differences were found between the two groups in terms of sRFS (pT2: p = 0.1; pT3a: p = 0.4; ≥pT3b: p = 0.4) (Fig. 1B, Table 2), and MTS (pT2: p = 0.3; pT3a: p = 0.6; ≥pT3b: p = 0.9). The NeuroSAFE-navigated patients reported a better 1-yr EF than non-NeuroSAFE (68% vs. 58%, p = 0.02) and no differences in 1-yr and 2-yr continence rates (92.4% vs. 91.8%, and 93.4% vs. 93%, respectively). The main limitation is the retrospective study design.

CONCLUSIONS

While the NeuroSAFE approach did not show significant improvements in long-term oncologic or continence outcomes, it did provide an opportunity for a higher proportion of patients to improve postoperative functional results, possibly through increased nerve-sparing procedures.

The NeuroSAFE frozen section technique during radical prostatectomy - Implementation and optimization of technical aspects in a routine pathology workflow

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

In prostate cancer patients, application of the NeuroSAFE frozen section technique during radical prostatectomy has been shown to increase the rate of nerve sparing surgery and to improve functional outcome for the patients. The aim of this study is to report on technical and organizational optimization opportunities of the procedure.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

All patients submitted to bilateral intraoperative frozen section from January 2018 until December 2020 (n = 452) were retrospectively analyzed and parameters such as turnaround time, staff situation in the laboratory and histologic properties of the tumors were assessed.

RESULTS

The median turnaround time per case was 40.3 ( ± 10.5) min. In 2020 the average time needed from accessioning to diagnosis was 38.1 min. Multivariate linear regression suggested that the number of technical assistants/cryotomes (46.1 min vs. 39.13 min; p < 0.001), the place of microscopic examination (43.0 min vs. 38.7 min; p < 0.001) and the presence of a positive margin (38.0 vs. 44.0 min; p < 0.001) were significant influential factors. The turnaround time was independent of the uropathological expertize of the consultant (39.84 min vs. 40.7 min; p = 0.09), the tumor grade (42.3 vs 39.8 min; p = 0.493) and the presence of extraprostatic extension (44.0 vs 39.8 min; p = 0.099).

CONCLUSION

The implementation of simple optimization measures in the workflow as well as structured training of all pathology staff involved in the examination leads to a significant increase in the efficiency of the examination while maintaining the same level of resources. The results could thus be a contribution to the broader application of the procedure.

NeuroSAFE PROOF: study protocol for a single-blinded, IDEAL stage 3, multi-centre, randomised controlled trial of NeuroSAFE robotic-assisted radical prostatectomy versus standard robotic-assisted radical prostatectomy in men with localized prostate cancer

BACKGROUND

Robotic radical prostatectomy (RARP) is a first-line curative treatment option for localized prostate cancer. Postoperative erectile dysfunction and urinary incontinence are common associated adverse side effects that can negatively impact patients' quality of life. Preserving the lateral neurovascular bundles (NS) during RARP improves functional outcomes. However, selecting men for NS may be difficult when there is concern about incurring in positive surgical margin (PSM) which in turn risks adverse oncological outcomes. The NeuroSAFE technique (intra-operative frozen section examination of the neurovascular structure adjacent prostate margin) can provide real-time pathological consult to promote optimal NS whilst avoiding PSM.

METHODS

NeuroSAFE PROOF is a single-blinded, multi-centre, randomised controlled trial (RCT) in which men are randomly allocated 1:1 to either NeuroSAFE RARP or standard RARP. Men electing for RARP as primary treatment, who are continent and have good baseline erectile function (EF), defined by International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5) score > 21, are eligible. NS in the intervention arm is guided by the NeuroSAFE technique. NS in the standard arm is based on standard of care, i.e. a pre-operative image-based planning meeting, patient-specific clinical information, and digital rectal examination. The primary outcome is assessment of EF at 12 months. The primary endpoint is the proportion of men who achieve IIEF-5 score ≥ 21. A sample size of 404 was calculated to give a power of 90% to detect a difference of 14% between groups based on a feasibility study. Oncological outcomes are continuously monitored by an independent Data Monitoring Committee. Key secondary outcomes include urinary continence at 3 months assessed by the international consultation on incontinence questionnaire, rate of biochemical recurrence, EF recovery at 24 months, and difference in quality of life.

DISCUSSION

NeuroSAFE PROOF is the first RCT of intra-operative frozen section during radical prostatectomy in the world. It is properly powered to evaluate a difference in the recovery of EF for men undergoing RARP assessed by patient-reported outcome measures. It will provide evidence to guide the use of the NeuroSAFE technique around the world.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

NCT03317990 (23 October 2017). Regional Ethics Committee; reference 17/LO/1978.

Intraoperative pathology consultation during urological surgery: Impact on final margin status and pitfalls of frozen section diagnosis

Despite recent improvements in diagnostic and surgical techniques in urological oncology, positive resection margin remains a significant concern for surgeons. Meanwhile, intraoperative pathology consultation with frozen section assessment (FSA), particularly for histological diagnosis of the lesions incidentally found or enlarged or sentinel lymph nodes, generally provides critical information which enables immediate decision making for optimal patient care. The intraoperative evaluation of surgical margins is also often requested, although there are some differences in its application between institutions and surgeons. Importantly, it remains to be determined whether intraoperative FSA indeed contributes to reducing the risk of final positive margins and thereby improving long-term patient outcomes. This review summarizes available data indicating the potential impact of FSA at the surgical margins during urological surgeries, including radical or partial cystectomy, partial nephrectomy, radical prostatectomy, penectomy, and orchiectomy. The accuracy and pitfalls of the intraoperative consultation/FSA diagnosis are also discussed.

NeuroSAFE frozen section during robot-assisted radical prostatectomy: peri-operative and histopathological outcomes from the NeuroSAFE PROOF feasibility randomized controlled trial

OBJECTIVES

To report on the methods, peri-operative outcomes and histopathological concordance between frozen and final section from the NeuroSAFE PROOF feasibility study (NCT03317990).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Between May 2018 and March 2019, 49 patients at two UK centres underwent robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP). Twenty-five patient were randomized to NeuroSAFE RARP (intervention arm) and 24 to standard RARP (control arm). Frozen section was compared to final paraffin section margin assessment in the 25 patients in the NeuroSAFE arm. Operation timings and complications were collected prospectively in both arms.

RESULTS

Fifty neurovascular bundles (NVBs) from 25 patients in the NeuroSAFE arm were analysed. When analysed by each pathological section (n = 250, average five per side), we noted a sensitivity of 100%, a specificity of 99.2%, and an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.994 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.985 to 1; P ≤0.001). On an NVB basis (n = 50), sensitivity was 100%, specificity was 92.7%, and the AUC was 0.963 (95% CI 0.914 to 1; P ≤0.001). NeuroSAFE RARP lasted a mean of 3 h 16 min (knife to skin to off table, 95% CI 3 h 2 min-3 h 30 min) compared to 2 h 4 min (95% CI 2 h 2 min-2 h 25 min; P ≤0.001) for standard RARP. There was no morbidity associated with the additional length of operating time on in the NeuroSAFE arm.

CONCLUSION

This feasibility study demonstrates the safety, reproducibility and excellent histopathological concordance of the NeuroSAFE technique in the NeuroSAFE PROOF trial. Although the technique increases the duration of RARP, this does not cause short-term harm. Confirmation of feasibility has led to the opening of the fully powered NeuroSAFE PROOF randomized controlled trial, which is currently under way at four sites in the UK.

The value of transperineal apical prostate biopsy in predicting urethral/apical margin status after radical prostatectomy

PURPOSE

To investigate potential preoperative predictors of urethral or apical positive surgical margin (PSM) and the value of apical prostate biopsy in predicting urethral/apical margin status after radical prostatectomy (RP).

METHODS

A total of 531 patients who underwent RP during 2010 to 2017 at West China Hospital were enrolled in this retrospective study. Preoperative and postoperative factors including age, BMI, PSA, clinical T stage and biopsy Gleason score were analyzed. Univariate analysis and logistic regression were used to find out the potential predictive factors for PSM. Two logistic regression models were built to evaluate the role of apical prostate biopsy in predicting urethral/apical margin status.

RESULTS

The overall PSM rate was about 30.1% (160/531) and 97 of them were reported urethral/apical PSM. The incidence of urethral or apical PSM in patients with positive cores in the apical prostate was higher than those without (23.0% vs 9.9%, P < .001). We further found that the multivariable model with positive apical prostate biopsy could significantly increase the predictive value of urethral or apical PSM status (AUC: 0.744 vs 0.783, P = .016). Our analysis also showed that neo-adjuvant hormone therapy was an independent protective factor for urethral or apical PSM in patients with positive apical prostate biopsy, but not all patients.

CONCLUSION

This study revealed the necessity of apical prostate biopsy to predict the risk of apical or urethral PSM. In clinical practice, neo-adjuvant hormone therapy should be given when patients with positive apical prostate biopsy to reduce the presence of PSM, especially patients with high/very high risk prostate cancer.

"Real-time" Assessment of Surgical Margins During Radical Prostatectomy: State-of-the-Art

Histopathologic examination of the pathologic specimens using hematoxylin & eosin stains represents the backbone of the modern pathology. It is time-consuming; thus, "real-time" assessment of prostatic and periprostatic tissue has gained special interest in the diagnosis and management of prostate cancer. The current study focuses on the review of the different available techniques for "real-time" evaluation of surgical margins during radical prostatectomy (RP). We performed a comprehensive search of the Medline database to identify all the articles discussing "real-time" or intraoperative assessment of surgical margins during RP. Several filters were applied to the search to include only English articles performed on human subjects and published between January 2000 and March 2019. The search revealed several options for pathologic assessment of surgical margins including intraoperative frozen sections, confocal laser endomicroscopy, optical spectroscopy, photodynamic diagnosis, optical coherence tomography, multiphoton microscopy, structured illumination microscopy, 3D augmented reality, and ex vivo fluorescence confocal microscope. Frozen section represents the gold standard technique for real-time pathologic examinations of surgical margins during RP; however, several other options showed promising results in the initial clinical trials, and considering the rapid development in the field of molecular and cellular imaging, some of these options may serve as an alternative to frozen section.

NeuroSAFE robot-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy versus standard robot-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy for men with localised prostate cancer (NeuroSAFE PROOF): protocol for a randomised controlled feasibility study

INTRODUCTION

Robot-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy (RALP) offers potential cure for localised prostate cancer but is associated with considerable toxicity. Potency and urinary continence are improved when the neurovascular bundles (NVBs) are spared during a nerve spare (NS) RALP. There is reluctance, however, to perform NS RALP when there are concerns that the cancer extends beyond the capsule of the prostate into the NVB, as NS RALP in this instance increases the risk of a positive surgical margin (PSM). The NeuroSAFE technique involves intraoperative fresh-frozen section analysis of the posterolateral aspect of the prostate margin to assess whether cancer extends beyond the capsule. There is evidence from large observational studies that functional outcomes can be improved and PSM rates reduced when the NeuroSAFE technique is used during RALP. To date, however, there has been no randomised controlled trial (RCT) to substantiate this finding. The NeuroSAFE PROOF feasibility study is designed to assess whether it is feasible to randomise men to NeuroSAFE RALP versus a control arm of 'standard of practice' RALP.

METHODS

NeuroSAFE PROOF feasibility study will be a multicentre, single-blinded RCT with patients randomised 1:1 to either NeuroSAFE RALP (intervention) or standard RALP (control). Treatment allocation will occur after trial entry and consent. The primary outcome will be assessed as the successful accrual of 50 men at three sites over 15 months. Secondary outcomes will be used to aid subsequent power calculations for the definitive full-scale RCT and will include rates of NS; PSM; biochemical recurrence; adjuvant treatments; and patient-reported functional outcomes on potency, continence and quality of life.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

NeuroSAFE PROOF has ethical approval (Regional Ethics Committee reference 17/LO/1978). NeuroSAFE PROOF is supported by National Institute for Healthcare Research Research for Patient Benefit funding (NIHR reference PB-PG-1216-20013). Findings will be made available through peer-reviewed publications.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

NCT03317990.

Prostate Cancer Detection Using Composite Impedance Metric

Prostate cancer (PCa) recurrences are often predicted by assessing the status of surgical margins (SM)- positive surgical margins (PSM) increase the chances of biochemical recurrence by 2-4 times which may lead to PCa recurrence. To this end, an electrical impedance acquisition system with a microendoscopic probe was employed in an ex-vivo study of human prostates. This system measures the tissue bioimpedance over a range of frequencies (1 kHz to 1MHz), and computes a number of Composite Impedance Metrics (CIM). A classifier trained using CIM data can be used to classify tissue as benign or cancerous. The system was used to collect the impedance spectra from 14 excised prostates, which were obtained from men undergoing radical prostatectomy, for a total of 23 cancerous and 53 benign measurements. The data revealed statistically significant (p < 0.05) differences in the impedance properties of the benign and tumorous tissues, and among the measurements taken on the apical, base, and lateral surface of the prostate. Further, in the leave-one-patient-out cross validation, a maximum predictive accuracy of 90.79% was achieved by combining high frequency CIM phase data to train a support vector machine classifier with a radial basis function kernel. The observations are consistent with the physiology and morphology of benign and malignant prostate tissue. CIMs were found to be an effective tool in distinguishing benign from cancerous tissues.

Clinical benefits of frozen section assessment during urological surgery: Does it contribute to improving surgical margin status and patient outcomes as previously thought?

Despite significant advances in patient selection as well as surgical technique over the past few decades, it is still not uncommon for patients with urological malignancy and positive surgical margins to be observed. Meanwhile, intraoperative pathology consultation with frozen section assessment, which generally provides useful information for the optimal procedure, has been widely utilized for the assessment of surgical margins during urological surgeries. Thus, it remains unanswered whether intraoperative frozen section assessment has an impact on final surgical margin status as well as long-term oncological outcomes. The present review summarizes and discusses available data assessing the utility of frozen section assessment of the surgical margins during urological surgeries, such as radical prostatectomy, partial nephrectomy and radical cystectomy. The current findings suggest that select patients might benefit from the routine frozen section assessment.

Multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging and frozen-section analysis efficiently predict upgrading, upstaging, and extraprostatic extension in patients undergoing nerve-sparing robotic-assisted radical prostatectomy

To evaluate the role of multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI) in predicting upgrading, upstaging, and extraprostatic extension in patients with low-risk prostate cancer (PCa). MpMRI may reduce positive surgical margins (PSM) and improve nerve-sparing during robotic-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) for localized prostate cancer PCa.This was a retrospective, monocentric, observational study. We retrieved the records of patients undergoing RARP from January 2012 to December 2013 at our Institution. Inclusion criteria were: PSA <10 ng/mL; clinical stage <T3a; biopsy Gleason score <7; prostate mpMRI performed preoperatively at our Institution; intraoperative FSA of the posterolateral aspects of the specimen.All the identified lesions were scored according to the Prostate Imaging Reporting and Data System (PIRADS). We considered the lesion with the highest PIRADS score as index lesion. All the included patients underwent nerve-sparing RARP. During surgery, the specimen was sent for FSA of the posterolateral aspects. The surgeon, according to the localization scheme provided by the mpMRI, inked the region of the posterolateral aspect of the prostate that had to be submitted to FSA.We evaluated association between clinical features and PSM, upgrading, upstaging, and presence of unfavorable disease.Two hundred fifty-four patients who underwent nerve-sparing RARP were included. PSM rate was 29.13% and 15.75% at FSA and final pathology respectively. Interestingly, the use of FSA reduced PSM rate in pT3 disease (25.81%). Higher PIRADS scores demonstrated to be related to high probability of upgrading and upstaging. This significativity remains even when considering PIRADS 2-3 versus 4 versus 5 and PIRADS 2-3 versus 4-5. Also PSM at FSA were associated with higher probability of upgrading and upstaging.PIRADS score and FSA resulted to be strictly related to grading and staging, thus being able to predict upgrading and/or upstaging at final pathology.

Minimum 5-year follow-up of 1138 consecutive laparoscopic radical prostatectomies

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the long-term outcomes of laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (LRP).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

In all, 1138 patients underwent LRP during a 163-month period from 2000 to 2008, of which 51.5%, 30.3% and 18.2% were categorised into D'Amico risk groups of low-, intermediate- and high-risk, respectively. All intermediate- and high-risk patients were staged by preoperative magnetic resonance imaging or computed tomography and isotope bone scanning, and had a pelvic lymph node dissection (PLND), which was extended after April 2008. The median (range) patient age was 62 (40-78) years; body mass index was 26 (19-44) kg/m(2) ; prostate-specific antigen level was 7.0 (1-50) ng/mL and Gleason score was 6 (6-10). Neurovascular bundle was preservation carried out in 55.3% (bilateral 45.5%; unilateral 9.8%) of patients.

RESULTS

The median (range) gland weight was 52 (14-214) g. The median (range) operating time was 177 (78-600) min and PLND was performed in 299 patients (26.3%), of which 54 (18.0%) were extended. The median (range) blood loss was 200 (10-1300) mL, postoperative hospital stay was 3 (2-14) nights and catheterisation time was 14 (1-35) days. The complication rate was 5.2%. The median (range) LN count was 12 (4-26), LN positivity was 0.8% and the median (range) LN involvement was 2 (1-2). There was margin positivity in 13.9% of patients and up-grading in 29.3% and down-grading in 5.3%. While 11.4% of patients had up-staging from T1/2 to T3 and 37.1% had down-staging from T3 to T2. One case (0.09%) was converted to open surgery and six patients were transfused (0.5%). At a mean (range) follow-up of 88.6 (60-120) months, 85.4% of patients were free of biochemical recurrence, 93.8% were continent and 76.6% of previously potent non-diabetic men aged <70 years were potent after bilateral nerve preservation.

CONCLUSIONS

The long-term results obtainable from LRP match or exceed those previously published in large contemporary open and robot-assisted surgical series.

Positive surgical margins after radical prostatectomy: a systematic review and contemporary update

CONTEXT

The clinical significance of positive surgical margins (PSMs) in radical prostatectomy (RP) specimens and the management of affected patients remain unclear.

OBJECTIVE

To address pitfalls in the pathologic interpretation of margin status; provide an update on the incidence, predictors, and long-term oncologic implications of PSMs in the era of robot-assisted laparoscopic RP (RALRP); and suggest a practical evidence-based approach to patient management.

EVIDENCE ACQUISITION

A systematic review of the literature was performed in April 2013 using Medline/PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus databases and the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. Studies focusing on PSMs in RP pertinent to the objectives of this review were included. Particular attention was paid to publications within the last 5 yr and those concerning RALRP.

EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS

A total of 74 publications were retrieved. Standardized measures to overcome variability in the pathologic interpretation of surgical margins have recently been established by the International Society of Urological Pathology. The average rate of PSMs in contemporary RALRP series is 15% (range: 6.5-32%), which is higher in men with a more advanced pathologic stage and equivalent to the rate reported in prior open and laparoscopic prostatectomy series. The likelihood of PSMs is strongly influenced by the surgeon's experience irrespective of the surgical approach. Technical modifications using the robotic platform and the role of frozen-section analysis to reduce the margin positivity rate continue to evolve. Positive margins are associated with a twofold increased hazard of biochemical relapse, but their association with more robust clinical end points is controversial. Level 1 evidence suggests that adjuvant radiation therapy (RT) may favorably affect prostate-specific antigen recurrence rates, but whether the therapy also affects systemic progression, prostate cancer-specific mortality, and overall survival remains debatable.

CONCLUSIONS

Although positive margins in prostate cancer are considered an adverse oncologic outcome, their long-term impact on survival is highly variable and largely influenced by other risk modifiers. Adjuvant RT appears to be effective, but further study is required to determine whether early salvage RT is an equivalent alternative.

Vattikuti Institute Prostatectomy-Technique in 2012

This year marks 12 years of the world's first robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) program, the Vattikuti Institute Prostatectomy (VIP). Experience with more than 7000 cases has helped standardize the operation, minimize complications, and enhance functional outcomes. In this article, we discuss our current technique of VIP including refinements such as Veil of Aphrodite nerve sparing using Harmonic ACE curved shears, high anterior release (super Veil), extended pelvic lymph node dissection, percutaneous suprapubic tube bladder drainage, and barbed suture for the urethrovesical anastomosis. In 2012, incorporation of the GelPoint access platform has the potential to further improve the oncologic performance of VIP, especially in high-risk patients.

Impiego Dell'esame Estemporaneo al Congelatore per la Valutazione dei Margini Chirurgici in Corso di Prostatectomia Radicale

Introduction

At present there is no consensus on the use of frozen sections (FS) during radical prostatectomy. Several groups have proposed the benefit of FS although the studies differ widely in sampling methods and sites where FS were taken. This study aims to evaluate the usefulness and reliability of standard assessment of FS in multiple sites during radical prostatectomy.

Methods

During open radical prostatectomy in all patients we sampled tissue from the urethral stump, the neurovascular bundles, the Denonvillier fascia and the bladder neck after removing the prostate. Where FS showed positive margins, further periprostatic tissue was resected from the prostatic bed until negative margins were achieved. The results of FS were compared with margin status of final pathology.

Results

From 1998 to 2004 we performed FS during 250 consecutive open radical prostatectomies (104 nerve sparing procedures). 66 patients had positive FS (26.4%) and 53 patients had positive surgical margins at final pathology (21.2%). All patients with positive FS had negative margins when further tissue was resected in the prostatic bed. During nerve sparing procedures positive FS were found in 14 patients. In these cases the procedure was converted into standard prostatectomy by resecting the neurovascular bundles. Sensibility and specificity were both 90%. Positive and negative predictive values were respectively 72% and 97%.

Conclusions

Standard assessment of FS in multiple sites during radical prostatectomy achieved sensibility and specificity as high as 90%. Although the resection of urethral stump and tissue close to the neurovascular bundles could compromise functional results, standard assessment of FS in multiple sites could help the surgeon to reduce the positive surgical margins, to monitor the oncological safety of a nerve sparing procedure and to improve the pathological staging.

Detection of prostate cancer by radio-frequency near-field spectroscopy in radical prostatectomy ex vivo specimens

BACKGROUND

The aim of radical prostatectomy (RP) is the complete removal of the prostate gland with negative surgical margins. The presence of cancer at the surgical margin is associated with higher probability of disease progression. Current methods of intraoperative margin assessment are inaccurate or time-consuming.The study goal was to evaluate the ability of a novel device (Dune Medical Devices) to differentiate between cancer and BPH.

METHODS

A total of 49 patients undergoing RP in four medical centers between November 2007 and May 2008 were enrolled in this study.The device was applied to numerous intra- and extra-capsular sites of freshly excised RP specimens. Measurement sites were accurately marked and analyzed histologically. The ability of the device to differentiate between malignant and nonmalignant sites was assessed.

RESULTS

A total of 15,156 measurements from 45 patients were analyzed. Differentiation of the intra-capsular malignant sites from extra-capsular nonmalignant sites (bladder neck and apex regions) depends on the cancer feature size. Differentiation was achieved with sensitivity and specificity of 93.6 (95% confidence interval (CI): 88-98) and 94.1 (95% CI: 93-95), respectively, at feature sizes at or >0.8 mm in diameter. The device was able to discriminate between all intra-capsular malignant (with feature sizes down to a few cells) and nonmalignant measurement sites, with sensitivity and specificity of 80.8 (95% CI: 73-87) and 68.4 (95% CI: 67-69), respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

First results from a radio-frequency near-field spectroscopy sensor look promising for differentiation between cancer and benign prostate tissue. The sensor's dimensions (radius of ~ 1 mm) and design enable use in open, laparoscopic and robotic RP to evaluate the surgical margins intraoperatively.

Neurovascular structure-adjacent frozen-section examination (NeuroSAFE) increases nerve-sparing frequency and reduces positive surgical margins in open and robot-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy: experience after 11,069 consecutive patients

BACKGROUND

Intraoperative frozen-section analysis allows real-time histologic assessment of surgical margins (SMs) and identification of candidates for nerve-sparing (NS) procedures.

OBJECTIVE

To examine the efficacy and oncologic safety of a systematic neurovascular structure-adjacent frozen-section examination (NeuroSAFE) during NS radical prostatectomy (RP).

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS

From January 2002 to June 2011, 11 069 consecutive RPs were performed at the University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf. Of these, 5392 (49%) were conducted with NeuroSAFE.

SURGICAL PROCEDURE

Our NeuroSAFE approach included the whole laterorectal circumference of the prostate to determine the SM status of the complete neurovascular tissue-corresponding prostatic surface.

OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS AND STATISTICAL ANALYSIS

The impact of NeuroSAFE on NS frequency, SM status, and biochemical recurrence (BCR) was analyzed by chi-square test, and by Kaplan-Meier analyses in propensity score-based matched cohorts.

RESULTS AND LIMITATIONS

Positive SMs (PSMs) were detected in 1368 (25%) NeuroSAFE RPs, leading to a secondary resection of the ipsilateral neurovascular tissue. Secondary wide resection resulted in conversion to a definitive negative SM (NSM) status in 1180 (86%) patients. In NeuroSAFE RPs, frequency of NS was significantly higher (all stages: 97% vs 81%; pT2: 99% vs 92%; pT3a: 94% vs 72%; pT3b: 88% vs 40%; p<0.0001) and PSM rates were significantly lower (all stages: 15% vs 22%; pT2: 7% vs 12%; pT3a: 21% vs 32%; p<0.0001) than in the matched non-NeuroSAFE RPs. In propensity score-based comparisons, NeuroSAFE had no negative impact on BCR (pT2, p=0.06; pT3a, p=0.17, pT3b, p=0.99), and BCR-free survival of patients with conversion to NSM did not differ significantly from patients with primarily NSM (pT2, p=0.16; pT3, p=0.26). The accuracy of our NeuroSAFE approach was 97% with a false-negative rate of 2.5%. The major limitations of this study are its retrospective nature and relatively short follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

NeuroSAFE enables real-time histologic monitoring of the oncologic safety of a NS procedure. Systematic NeuroSAFE significantly increases NS frequencies and reduces PSMs. Patients with a NeuroSAFE-detected PSM could be converted to a prognostically more favorable NSM status by secondary wide resection.

Prevention and management of postprostatectomy sexual dysfunctions. Part 1: choosing the right patient at the right time for the right surgery

CONTEXT

Sexual dysfunction is common in patients following radical prostatectomy (RP) for prostate cancer (PCa).

OBJECTIVE

To review the available literature concerning prevention and management strategies for post-RP erectile function (EF) impairment in terms of preoperative patient characteristics and intra- and postoperative factors that may influence EF recovery.

EVIDENCE ACQUISITION

A literature search was performed using Google and PubMed database for English-language original and review articles either published or e-published up to November 2011.

EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS

The literature demonstrates great inconsistency in what constitutes normal EF before surgery and what a man may consider a normal erection after RP. The use of validated psychometric instruments with recognised cut-offs for normalcy and severity during the pre- and postoperative evaluation should be routinely considered. Therefore, a comprehensive discussion with the patient about the true prevalence of postoperative erectile dysfunction (ED), the concept of spontaneous or pharmacologically assisted erections, and the difference between "back to baseline" EF and "erections adequate enough to have successful intercourse" clearly emerge as key issues in the eventual understanding of the prevention of ED and promotion of satisfactory EF recovery post-RP. Patient factors (including age, baseline EF, and status of comorbid conditions), cancer selection (unilateral vs bilateral nerve sparing), type of surgery (ie, intra- vs inter- vs extrafascial surgeries), surgical techniques (ie, open, laparoscopic, and robot-assisted RP), and surgeon factors (ie, surgical volume and surgical skill) represent the key significant contributors to EF recovery.

CONCLUSIONS

The complexity of the issues discussed throughout this review culminates in the simple concept that optimal outcomes are achieved by the careful choice of the correct patient for the correct type of surgery.

Full functional-length urethral sphincter preservation during radical prostatectomy

BACKGROUND

A key prerequisite for urinary continence after radical prostatectomy (RP) is the functional length of the urethral sphincter and the stabilisation of its anatomic position within the pelvic floor.

OBJECTIVE

We describe our modified surgical technique for full functional-length urethra (FFLU) preservation during RP.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS

We analysed 691 consecutive patients who underwent RP over a 12-mo period (285 without and 406 with the FFLU technique).

SURGICAL PROCEDURE

The full functional urethra length was preserved by performing an individualised apical preparation strictly along anatomic landmarks, respecting the individual length of the intraprostatically located proportion of the urethral sphincter. Anatomic fixation of the sphincter was reached by a thorough preservation of the pelvic floor and anatomic restoration of the Mueller's ligaments.

MEASUREMENTS

Continence rates were assessed at 7 d and 12 mo after removal of the catheter. Continence was defined as the use of no pads and no urinary leakage.

RESULTS AND LIMITATIONS

The continence rates were 50.1% and 30.9% 1 wk after catheter removal (p < 0.0001) and 96.9% and 94.7% (p=0.59) at 12 mo after surgery in patients operated on with the FFLU technique versus the non-FFLU technique. In multivariate regression analysis, only the surgical technique correlated significantly with the continence status 1 wk after catheter removal. Neither the overall positive surgical margin rates nor the number of positive margins at the urethral resection border differed significantly between the FFLU and non-FFLU groups (13.6% and 0.5% vs 14.9% and 1.3%, respectively). Although the patients' baseline characteristics were similar in the two surgical groups, the patients were not preoperatively randomised, and the number of patients in the groups was asymmetric.

CONCLUSIONS

The combination of an FFLU preparation and improved preservation of the anatomic fixation of the urethral sphincter complex resulted in significantly increased early urinary continence results.

Label-free high-resolution imaging of prostate glands and cavernous nerves using coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering microscopy

A custom built coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering (CARS) microscope was used to image prostatic glands and nerve structures from 17 patients undergoing radical prostatectomy. Imaging of glandular and nerve structures showed distinctive cellular features that correlated to histological stains. Segmentation of cell nucleus was performed to establish a cell feature-based model to separate normal glands from cancer glands. In this study, we use a single parameter, average cell neighbor distance based on CARS imaging, to characterize normal and cancerous glandular structures. By combining CARS with our novel classification model, we are able to characterize prostate glandular and nerve structures in a manner that potentially enables real-time, intra-operative assessment of surgical margins and neurovascular bundles. As such, this method could potentially improve outcomes following radical prostatectomy.

Patients' desire to preserve sexual activity and final decision for a nerve-sparing approach: results from the MIRROR (Multicenter Italian Report on Radical Prostatectomy Outcomes and Research) Study

INTRODUCTION

Preservation of sexual function after surgery represents a major issue for patients undergoing radical prostatectomy (RP).

AIM

To investigate determinants of patients' desire to preserve sexual activity before RP and surgeons' final decision to perform a nerve-sparing RP (NSRP).

METHODS

  Overall, 2,408 prostate cancer patients, candidates to RP, from 136 urologic departments across the Italian territory were evaluated in a multicenter prospective observational study. All patients underwent RP, according to single-center indications and procedures.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Age, body mass index, previous benign prostatic hyperplasia history, preoperative tumor characteristics, quality of life through the Short Form Health Survey (SF-12), and the University of California Los Angeles Prostate Cancer Index (UCLA-PCI), erectile function through the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5), desire to preserve sexual activity, NS operative outcomes, and surgical margins status were recorded.

RESULTS

Overall, 1,667 were interested to preserve sexual activity. Age, physical component summary of SF12 (PCS-12), sexual function score of UCLA-PCI, and IIEF-5 score were the main determinants of such interest. Only 1,246 patients were suitable for a NSRP according to guidelines. Surgeons performed a non-NSRP (NNSRP) in 1,234 patients, a unilateral NSRP in 318 and a bilateral NSRP in 856. Age, bioptical Gleason score, percentage of positive cores, PCS-12, and patient's desire to preserve sexual activity were the main determinants of final decision for a NSRP. Surgeons performed a NSRP in 424 not suitable and in 121 not interested patients. Positive surgical margins in not suitable patients submitted to NSRP were not higher if compared to that obtained after NNSRP in the same subgroup. Limits include lack of oncological and functional follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

Most patients are interested to preserve sexual activity. Discrepancies exist among patients' preferences, guidelines' indications, and surgeon's final decision.

[Robot-assisted radical prostatectomy: Perioperative complications, pathological results and functional results during the learning curve]

OBJECTIVE

We report our experiences regarding the peri- and postoperative complications as well as pathological and functional results of robot-assisted radical prostatectomy during the implementation phase and the learning curve of the technique.

MATERIAL

All clinical, paraclinical, as well as peri- and postoperative events of the first 102 patients were filed. Postoperative complications were classified according to the Clavien classification. Regarding functional results, continence was defined as the use of 0 pads or one pad for security reasons. Erectile function was classified into absence of spontaneous erections, erections insufficient for sexual intercourse and erections sufficient for sexual intercourse.

RESULTS

Median procedure time was 240min, blood-loss 400mL and transfusion rate 2%. Overall, 7.8% of all patients had perioperative complications, 13.7% had minor and 4.9% had mayor post operative complications. The overall positive surgical margin rate was 16.0%. At 12month, 87% of all patients were continent and 21.1% had spontaneous erections and 47.4% had sexual intercourse.

CONCLUSION

Patients treated during the implementation phase of robot-assisted radical prostatectomy show rates of peri- and postoperative complications, as well as pathological and functional results comparable to the results of centers of excellence published in the literature.

Intraoperative photodynamic evaluation of surgical margins during endoscopic extraperitoneal radical prostatectomy with the use of 5-aminolevulinic acid

PURPOSE

Today there are no established techniques to image positive surgical margins (PSM) intraoperatively in endoscopic extraperitoneal radical prostatectomy (EERPE). The intention of this study was to describe the specific technique of photodynamic diagnosis (PDD) in patients undergoing EERPE and report on the potential to detect PSM under PDD.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Twenty-four patients with clinically organ-confined prostate cancer received 5-aminolevulinic acid 20 mg/kg body weight orally 3 hours prior to nonnerve-sparing EERPE. An endoscopic PDD system (Karl Storz, Tuttlingen, Germany) including a Tricam PDD 3-chip camera head linked with a straight 10-mm telescope and a D-light C system was used. During EERPE, visualization of the surgical margins was performed by means of both white light and PDD at specific steps during standardized prostatectomy in all patients. Positive PDD areas on the prostate specimen were marked with white ink and consequently processed in pathology.

RESULTS

In white light endoscopy, no suspicion of a PSM was raised. Six out of the eight PSM were detected by PDD. In two cases, areas of positive PDD findings were free of prostate cancer and two PSM were not detected by PDD ( one bladder neck, one lateral). The overall sensitivity and specificity were 75% and 88.2%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Laparoscopy offers an appropriate setting for the use of PDD in prostate cancer to visualize possible PSM. Although imaging of PSM by PDD is promising with the technique being feasible and safe, larger series are needed to prove the reproducibility of our results.

The clinical significance and therapeutic implications of extraprostatic invasion

Invasion of the prostatic margin by cancer establishes a higher risk of disease progression and treatment failure depending upon its extent and other clinical factors. Pathological stage is the most important single prognostic indicator, but determined reliably only in patients having radical prostatectomy. Tumour beyond the prostatic margin or its invasion into the seminal vesicle defines the local stage category as T3, and when confirmed by pathological examination the extent of prostatic margin involvement has prognostic significance. Prediction of extraprostatic invasion may influence therapeutic decisions, but can be difficult to determine for the individual patient prior to treatment. In some individuals having radical prostatectomy, the finding of extraprostatic invasion is unsuspected, and fortunately for the majority of these men the treatment remains curative. On the other hand, when extraprostatic invasion is suspected prior to or at surgery, wide excision may be necessary to achieve negative surgical margins, with other factors contributing independently to the likelihood of subsequent progression. Radiotherapy is an effective alternative treatment for clinical stage T3 and high-risk clinically localized cancer. Recent technological advances and use of combination modality treatment with radiation and hormone manipulation have improved survival outcomes and reduced side-effects. Radiation also has its place as adjuvant treatment following radical prostatectomy in high-risk disease, or as salvage following PSA recurrence, with ongoing trials evaluating potential benefit and toxicity. For clinically localised stage T3 prostate cancer, treatment with surgery or radiotherapy may be highly effective, but multimodality interventions are increasingly being used for primary treatment where clinical assessment indicates that there would otherwise be a high risk for disease progression and therapeutic failure.

Photodynamic diagnosis using 5-aminolevulinic acid for the detection of positive surgical margins during radical prostatectomy in patients with carcinoma of the prostate: a multicentre, prospective, phase 2 trial of a diagnostic procedure

BACKGROUND

Surgical margin status after radical prostatectomy (RP) is a significant risk factor for tumour recurrence. It is an intriguing concept to find a fluorescence marker for photodynamic diagnosis (PDD) to make tumour margins visible during surgery.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the feasibility of identification of positive surgical margins (PSM) during open retropubic or endoscopic extraperitoneal RP by 5-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA)-induced protoporphyrin IX (PpIX) to enhance surgical radicality.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS

Thirty-nine patients (Gleason score 6-10, prostate-specific antigen [PSA] 2.3-120 ng/ml) received 20 mg/kg of body weight of 5-ALA orally and underwent RP (24 endoscopic extraperitoneal, 15 open retropubic).

MEASUREMENTS

A PDD-suitable laparoscopy optic (Karl-Storz GmbH, Tuttlingen, Germany) with a yellow long-pass filter was coupled to a fibre-optic light cord with an excitation light source (380-420 nm, D-Light, Karl-Storz GmbH, Tuttlingen, Germany) for fluorescence excitation of PpIX and to a PDD-suitable camera for video and photo documentation by the AIDA DVD system (Karl-Storz GmbH, Tuttlingen, Germany).

RESULTS AND LIMITATIONS

There were more false-negative cases in the open group (four vs two) than in the endoscopic group but more false-positive cases in the endoscopic group (two vs none) than in the open group. The overall sensitivity and specificity were 56% and 91.6%, respectively. The sensitivity of the endoscopic cases was much higher (75% vs 38%) than for the open cases, while the specificity was higher for the open group (88.2% vs 100%).

CONCLUSIONS

PDD with 5-ALA-induced PpIX during RP might be a feasible and effective method for reducing the rate of PSM. The technique seems to be more practicable during endoscopic RP rather than open RP. Further clinical studies with higher patient volumes and further development of the technique seem justified.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

EudraCT: 2005-004406-93.

[Significance of residual hyperplastic cells after radical prostatectomy. A literature review]

INTRODUCTION

Radical prostatectomy represents a standard surgical treatment for clinically localized prostate cancer. Classically pathologist and urologist worried about positive surgical margin, but not to the presence of surgery residual hyperplastic cells able to generate prostate specific antigen (PSA) and difficult the follow up of the patients that underwent surgery. We reviewed the literature looking for the incidence, the potential etiology and the influence of these hyperplastic cells in the biochemical evolution of the disease.

MATERIAL AND METHOD

The information for this review was compiled by searching the Pubmed database. We used "Mesh", Prostatectomy" and "Prostatic Neoplasms" and "Prostate-Specific Antigen" terms, and we added "biochemical failure" and/or "hyperplasic cells" and/or "benign cells". Furthermore, we select the work in English, Spanish and German, review articles that referenced this work and include the series with more than 50 patients, letters to the editor, editorials and overall reviews.

CONCLUSIONS

Benign hyperplasic cells left behind after radical prostatectomy are frequent and probably under-rated. The influence of those cells in the biochemical outcome is a controversial issue. Positive margins for benign cells can come from apex or neck of the bladder, where the prostatic capsule is not well defined, but no from dorso-lateral area, this would imply a technical mistake. We recommend the inspection of the specimen by the surgeon, after prostatectomy in order to detect apex integrity, cranial and dorso-lateral capsule.

Value of frozen section biopsies during radical prostatectomy: significance of the histological results

PURPOSE

To review the evidence about frozen sections during radical prostatectomy (RP) and its ability to decrease the incidence of positive margins, the impact on PSA postoperatively and the significance of residual benign prostatic cells after prostatectomy.

METHODS

The information for this review was compiled by searching the Pubmed database. We used Mesh Terms "Prostatectomy" and "Prostatic Neoplasms" and we added "frozen sections" and/or "hyperplasic cells" and/or "benign cells" and/or "positive margins". Furthermore, we review the articles referenced in those studies and editorials letters.

RESULTS

Several groups have studied the performance of frozen section during RP to try and assess the risk of positive margins intraoperatively. The controversial sites where they should be performed are the apex, the dorsolateral zones and the bladder neck. They have been performed routinely or when the surgeon decides it, depending on the preoperative or intraoperative findings.

CONCLUSIONS

At the present time there is no standardisation in the number, the site and the type of patient where this procedure should be done. The improvement in functional outcomes and biochemical control is not proven.

Positive surgical margins in radical prostatectomy: outlining the problem and its long-term consequences

CONTEXT

This review focuses on positive surgical margins (PSM) in radical prostatectomy (RP).

OBJECTIVE

To address the etiology, incidence, and oncologic impact of PSM and discuss technical points to help surgeons minimize their positive margin rate. An evidence-based approach to assist clinicians in counseling patients with a PSM is provided.

EVIDENCE ACQUISITION

A literature search in English was performed using the National Library of Medicine database and the following key words: prostate cancer, surgical margins, and radical prostatectomy. Seven hundred sixty-eight references were scrutinized, and 73 were selected for rigorous review based on their pertinence, study size, and overall contribution to the field.

EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS

In contemporary series, PSM are reported in 11-38% of patients undergoing RP. Although variability exists in the pathologic interpretation of surgical margins, PSM are associated with an increased hazard of biochemical recurrence (BCR) and local disease recurrence as well as the need for secondary cancer treatment. A posterolateral PSM appears to confer the greatest risk of recurrence, whereas the prognostic significance of positive apical margins remains controversial. The role of preoperative imaging and intraoperative frozen section analysis are being investigated to reduce margin positivity rates. Level-1 evidence indicates that adjuvant radiotherapy (RT) in men with PSM reduces BCR rates and clinical progression and possibly improves overall survival (OS).

CONCLUSIONS

PSM in RP specimens are uniformly considered an adverse outcome. Regardless of approach (open or laparoscopic), attention to surgical detail is essential to minimize rates. For patients with a PSM destined to experience a cancer recurrence, RT is the only established treatment with curative potential. A randomized trial in patients with PSM comparing immediate postoperative RT to salvage RT is critically needed before definitive recommendations can be made.

Function-preserving surgery for urologic cancer

Radical surgery that is intended to cure cancer disease tends to cause some damage to the operated organ and the quality of life of the patient. It is now a worldwide trend to preserve the function and minimize the operative damage to the patient, without compromising the oncological outcome. In urologic cancers, nephron-sparing surgery for kidney tumors, and nerve-sparing procedures in radical cystectomy and radical prostatectomy for retaining potency are now more frequently used for providing better quality of life after surgery. New constructive surgeries such as neobladder formation and nerve graft techniques after complete removal of the cavernous nerve have been developed for recovering the lost function.