Validation of Partin Tables and Development of a Preoperative Nomogram for Japanese Patients With Clinically Localized Prostate Cancer Using 2005 International Society of Urological Pathology Consensus on Gleason Grading: Data From the Clinicopathological Research Group for Localized Prostate Cancer

Initial surgical performance in robot-assisted radical prostatectomy is associated with clinical outcomes and learning curves

BACKGROUND

The association between surgical performance ratings and clinical outcomes in robotic surgery is poorly understood. Additionally, no studies have reported on the relationship between the surgeon's initial case-skill evaluation and the learning curve in robot-assisted surgery. We evaluated whether an objective surgical technique evaluation score for initial robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) was associated with clinical outcomes and surgeons' learning curves.

METHODS

Six surgeons who were trained in and started to perform RARP at our institution were included. Anonymized, unedited videos of each surgeon's 10th RARP case were evaluated by three reviewers, using modified Objective Structured Assessment of Technical Skill (OSATS) scores. We then divided the surgeons into two groups on the basis of these OSATS scores. We retrospectively compared the clinical outcomes and learning curves of the console time of the two groups for consecutive RARPs, performed from March 2018 to July 2023.

RESULTS

We analyzed 258 RARPs (43 cases/surgeon), including 129 cases performed by high-OSATS score surgeons (18.2-19.3 points) and 129 cases performed by low-OSATS score surgeons (11.9-16.0 points). Overall, the high-OSATS score group had significantly shorter operation and console times than the low-OSATS score group did (both P < 0.01) and their patients' rate of continence recovery by 3 months post-RARP was significantly higher (P = 0.03). However, complications, blood loss, and positive margins did not differ between the groups (P = 0.08, P = 0.51, and P = 0.90, respectively). The high-OSATS score group had a significantly shorter console time than the low-OSATS score group did after the 11-20 cases.

CONCLUSIONS

The OSATS score in early RARP cases can predict subsequent surgical outcomes and surgeons' learning curves.

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

BACKGROUND

Although robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) and intensity-modulated radiotherapy are the leading respective techniques of prostatectomy and radiotherapy for localized prostate cancer, almost no study has directly compared their outcomes; none have compared mortality outcomes.

METHODS

We compared 6‑year outcomes of RARP (n = 500) and volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT, a rotational intensity-modulated radiotherapy, n = 360) in patients with cT1-4N0M0 prostate cancer. We assessed oncological outcomes, namely overall survival (OS), cancer-specific survival (CSS), radiological recurrence-free survival (rRFS), and biochemical recurrence-free survival (bRFS), using propensity score matching (PSM). We also assessed treatment-related complication outcomes of prostatectomy and radiotherapy.

RESULTS

The median follow-up duration was 79 months (> 6 years). PSM generated a matched cohort of 260 patients (130 per treatment group). In the matched cohort, RARP and VMAT showed equivalent results for OS, CSS, and rRFS: both achieved excellent 6‑year outcomes for OS (> 96%), CSS (> 98%), and rRFS (> 91%). VMAT had significantly longer bRFS than RARP, albeit based on different definitions of biochemical recurrence. Regarding complication outcomes, patients who underwent RARP had minimal (2.6%) severe perioperative complications and achieved excellent continence recovery (91.6 and 68.8% of the patients achieved ≤ 1 pad/day and pad-free, respectively). Patients who underwent VMAT had an acceptable rate (20.0%) of grade ≥ 2 genitourinary complications and a very low rate (4.4%) of grade ≥ 2 gastrointestinal complications.

CONCLUSION

On the basis of PSM after a 6-year follow-up, RARP and VMAT showed equivalent and excellent oncological outcomes, as well as acceptable complication profiles.

Nomogram Predicting Locally Advanced Prostate Cancer in Patients with Clinically Organ-Confined Disease Who Underwent Robot-Assisted Radical Prostatectomy: A Retrospective Multicenter Cohort Study in Japan (The MSUG94 Group)

PURPOSE

We created a clinically applicable nomogram to predict locally advanced prostate cancer using preoperative parameters and performed external validation using an external independent validation cohort.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

From a retrospective multicenter cohort study of 3622 Japanese patients with prostate cancer who underwent robot-assisted radical prostatectomy at ten institutions, the patients were divided into two groups (MSUG cohort and validation cohort). Locally advanced prostate cancer was defined as pathological T stage ≥ 3a. A multivariable logistic regression model was used to identify factors strongly associated with locally advanced prostate cancer. Bootstrap area under the curve was calculated to assess the internal validity of the prediction model. A nomogram was created as a practical application of the prediction model, and a web application was released to predict the probability of locally advanced prostate cancer.

RESULTS

A total of 2530 and 427 patients in the MSUG and validation cohorts, respectively, met the criteria for this study. On multivariable analysis, initial prostate-specific antigen, prostate volume, number of cancer-positive and cancer-negative biopsy cores, biopsy grade group, and clinical T stage were independent predictors of locally advanced prostate cancer. The nomogram predicting locally advanced prostate cancer was demonstrated (area under the curve 0.72). Using a nomogram cutoff of 0.26, 464 of 1162 patients (39.9%) could be correctly diagnosed with pT3, and 2311 of 2524 patients (91.6%) could avoid underdiagnosis.

CONCLUSIONS

We developed a clinically applicable nomogram with external validation to predict the probability of locally advanced prostate cancer in patients undergoing robot-assisted radical prostatectomy.

Development and validation of novel nomogram to identify the candidates for extended pelvic lymph node dissection for prostate cancer patients in the robotic era

OBJECTIVES

To determine candidates for extended pelvic lymph node dissection using a novel nomogram to assess the risk of lymph node invasion in Japanese prostate cancer patients in the robotic era.

METHODS

A total of 538 patients who underwent robot-assisted radical prostatectomy with extended pelvic lymph node dissection in three hospitals were retrospectively analyzed. Medical records were reviewed uniformly and the following data collected: prostate-specific antigen, age, clinical T stage, primary and secondary Gleason score at prostate biopsy, and percentage of positive core numbers. Finally, data from 434 patients were used for developing the nomogram and data from 104 patients were used for external validation.

RESULTS

Lymph node invasion was detected in 47 (11%) and 16 (15%) patients in the development and validation set, respectively. Based on multivariate analysis, prostate-specific antigen, clinical T stage ≥3, primary Gleason score, grade group 5, and percentage of positive cores were selected as variables to incorporate into the nomogram. The area under the curve values were 0.781 for the internal and 0.908 for the external validation, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

The present nomogram can help urologists identify candidates for extended pelvic lymph node dissection concomitant with robot-assisted radical prostatectomy among patients with prostate cancer.

Validation of user-friendly models predicting extracapsular extension in prostate cancer patients

Objective

There are many models to predict extracapsular extension (ECE) in patients with prostate cancer. We aimed to externally validate several models in a Japanese cohort.

Methods

We included patients treated with robotic-assisted radical prostatectomy for prostate cancer. The risk of ECE was calculated for each patient in several models (prostate side-specific and non-side-specific). Model performance was assessed by calculating the receiver operating curve and the area under the curve (AUC), calibration plots, and decision curve analyses.

Results

We identified ECE in 117 (32.9%) of the 356 prostate lobes included. Patients with ECE had a statistically significant higher prostate-specific antigen level, percentage of positive digital rectal examination, percentage of hypoechoic nodes, percentage of magnetic resonance imaging nodes or ECE suggestion, percentage of biopsy positive cores, International Society of Urological Pathology grade group, and percentage of core involvement. Among the side-specific models, the Soeterik, Patel, Sayyid, Martini, and Steuber models presented AUC of 0.81, 0.78, 0.77, 0.75, and 0.73, respectively. Among the non-side-specific models, the memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center web calculator, the Roach formula, the Partin tables of 2016, 2013, and 2007 presented AUC of 0.74, 0.72, 0.64, 0.61, and 0.60, respectively. However, the 95% confidence interval for most of these models overlapped. The side-specific models presented adequate calibration. In the decision curve analyses, most models showed net benefit, but it overlapped among them.

Conclusion

Models predicting ECE were externally validated in Japanese men. The side-specific models predicted better than the non-side-specific models. The Soeterik and Patel models were the most accurate performing models.

Novel nomogram to predict biochemical recurrence-free survival after radical prostatectomy

PURPOSE

Conditional survival represents the probability of subsequent survival given that patients have already survived a certain length of time. Several models predict biochemical recurrence (BCR) after radical prostatectomy. However, none of them include postoperative prostate-specific antigen (PSA). We aimed to analyze BCR-free survival evolution over time and develop a nomogram incorporating the postoperative PSA value to predict BCR-free survival.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

We included patients treated with robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) for prostate cancer between 2009 and 2021 and calculated conditional survival. Cox proportional hazard regression analysis was used to assess the predictive variables of BCR. We developed a nomogram predicting BCR-free survival three and five years after RARP. We used c-index and decision curve analyses to compare the nomogram with the Cancer of the Prostate Risk Assessment post-Surgical (CAPRA-S) score.

RESULTS

We included 718 patients. The overall 3- and 5-year BCR-free survival rates were 85.1% and 75.7%, respectively. The 5-year BCR-free survival rates increased to 78.9%, 82.9%, 85.2%, and 84.7% for patients surviving 1, 2, 3, and 4 years without BCR, respectively. We developed a nomogram including the pathological Gleason score and T stage, positive surgical margin, PSA ≥ 0.05 ng/mL at one year, and lymph node involvement to predict BCR at 3 and 5 years postoperatively. Our nomogram presented a higher c-index (0.89) than the CAPRA-S score (0.78; p = 0.001) and a positive net benefit at 3 and 5 years postoperatively in the decision curve analyses.

CONCLUSION

The 5-year conditional BCR-free survival increased with survival without BCR. The developed nomogram significantly improved the accuracy in predicting BCR-free survival after RARP.

Correlation between extended pelvic lymph node dissection and urinary incontinence at early phase after robot‐assisted radical prostatectomy

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the impact of extended pelvic lymph node dissection (ePLND) on urinary incontinence (UI) at early post-surgery robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP).

METHODS

Patients who underwent RARP without cavernous nerve sparing were included between 2014 and 2019. Patient data were obtained prospectively. The associations between ePLND and postoperative urinary continence were defined as a maximum of one daily pad use. International prostate symptom score (IPSS) was examined. Expression of synaptophysin and tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) in perilymph node adipose tissue (PLA) was evaluated by immunohistochemistry.

RESULTS

In total, 186 and 163 patients underwent RARP with and without ePLND. Urinary continence rate at 1 month postoperatively among patients with ePLND was lower than those without ePLND (24.1% vs. 35.1%, p < 0.05), however, not significantly different at 3, 6, and 12 months after RARP (57.4 vs. 62.6%, 73.1 vs. 74.2%, and 83.0 vs. 81.2%, respectively). Total and voiding plus postvoiding IPSS scores at 1 month were higher in patients with ePLND than in those without ePLND (14.5 ± 0.5 vs. 13.6 ± 0.6, 7.0 ± 0.3 vs. 6.2 ± 0.4, respectively, p < 0.05). In univariate and multivariate analyses, larger prostate volume and ePLND were factors associated with an increased UI rate. Among patients who underwent ePLND, synaptophysin and TH-positive nerve fibers were detected in PLA.

CONCLUSIONS

Detection of synaptophysin and TH-immunopositive nerves suggested denervation of sympathetic and peripheral nerves caused by ePLND might be associated with a higher UI rate and poor urinary symptoms at an early stage after RARP.

Impact of nerve sparing in robot-assisted radical prostatectomy on the risk of positive surgical margin and biochemical recurrence

OBJECTIVES

Nerve sparing may increase positive surgical margin rate during radical prostatectomy. Our objective was to analyze the positive surgical margin rate and location as well as its impact on biochemical recurrence according to nerve sparing procedure in robot-assisted radical prostatectomy.

METHODS

We included 814 patients treated with robot-assisted radical prostatectomy between 2009 and 2021, and evaluated the impact of nerve sparing on positive surgical margin and biochemical recurrence using logistic regression and Cox models.

RESULTS

Unilateral nerve sparing and bilateral nerve sparing were performed in 152 (18.6%) cases and 118 (14.5%) cases, respectively. On multivariable analysis, in addition to nerve sparing, bilateral nerve sparing, but not unilateral nerve sparing was associated with an increased risk of positive surgical margin compared with non-nerve sparing. Positive surgical margin at any location increased the risk of biochemical recurrence. During unilateral nerve sparing, positive surgical margin in nerve sparing side, but not in non-nerve sparing side was associated with increased risk of biochemical recurrence on multivariate analysis.

CONCLUSIONS

Taken together, surgeons need to notice an increased risk of biochemical recurrence associated with positive surgical margin when performing nerve sparing in robot-assisted radical prostatectomy, and then need to choose the patients suitable for nerve sparing.

Validation of models predicting lymph node involvement probability in patients with prostate cancer

OBJECTIVES

There are many models to predict lymph node involvement in patients with prostate cancer. We aimed to externally validate several models in a Japanese cohort.

METHODS

We considered patients who were treated with robotic-assisted radical prostatectomy with extended pelvic lymph node dissection for prostate cancer. The risk of lymph node involvement was calculated for each patient in several models. Model performance was assessed by calculating the receiver operating characteristic curve and the area under the curve, calibration plots, and decision curve analyses.

RESULTS

We identified lymph node involvement in 61 (18.4%) of the 331 considered patients. Patients with lymph node involvement had a higher prostate-specific antigen level, percentage of positive biopsy cores, primary Gleason grade, Gleason group grade, and clinical T-stage category. The Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center web calculator presented the highest area under the curve (0.78) followed by the Yale formula area under the curve (0.77), the updated version of Briganti nomogram of 2017 area under the curve (0.76), and the updated version of the Partin table by Tosoian et al. had an area under the curve of 0.75. However, the 95% confidence interval for these models overlapped. The calibration plot showed that the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center web calculator and the updated version of the Briganti nomogram calibrated better. In the decision curve analyses, all models showed net benefit; however, it overlapped among them. However, the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center web calculator and the updated Briganti nomogram presented the highest net benefit for lymph node involvement risks <35%.

CONCLUSION

Models predicting lymph node involvement were externally validated in Japanese men. The Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center web calculator and the updated Briganti nomogram of 2017 were the most accurate performing models.

Association Between Surgical Stress and Biochemical Recurrence After Robotic Radical Prostatectomy

Background and Objectives

This study was conducted to identify whether surgical stress during the peri-operative period of robot-assisted radical prostatectomy might affect biochemical recurrence in patients with positive surgical margins.

Methods

Participants in the present study were 324 consecutive patients with localized prostate cancer who underwent robot-assisted radical prostatectomy between February 2013 and June 2018. Positive surgical margins were diagnosed in 61 of them. Patients with positive surgical margins were divided into those with (n = 19) and those without (n = 42) biochemical recurrence. Lymph node dissection, estimated blood loss, inhalation anesthetic volume, and surgical duration were evaluated as indicators of surgical stress. White blood cell count, C-reactive protein, body temperature, and usage of analgesics were postoperatively evaluated as surrogate markers of surgical stress. The associations between factors, including patients' characteristics and pathological features, and biochemical recurrence were investigated.

Results

In univariate analyses, surgical duration (P = 0.004), D'Amico risk class (P = 0.002), Gleason score (P = 0.022) and the number of positive cores in prostate biopsy (P = 0.009) were statistically significantly associated with biochemical recurrence. In multivariate analyses, only surgical duration was significantly associated with biochemical recurrence (P = 0.042), at a cut-off value of surgical duration of 228.5 minutes.

Conclusions

Prolonged surgical duration is associated with biochemical recurrence in patients with positive surgical margins. Thus, surgical duration should be limited as much as possible to reduce surgical stress, which might cause biochemical recurrence.

External validation of the Briganti 2019 nomogram to identify candidates for extended pelvic lymph node dissection among patients with high-risk clinically localized prostate cancer

Background

We aimed to establish an external validation of the Briganti 2019 nomogram in a Japanese cohort to preoperatively evaluate the probability of lymph node invasion in patients with high-risk, clinically localized prostate cancer.

Methods

The cohort consisted of 278 patients with prostate cancer diagnosed using magnetic resonance imaging-targeted biopsy who underwent radical prostatectomy and extended pelvic lymph node dissection from 2012 to 2020. Patients were rated using the Briganti 2019 nomogram, which evaluates the probability of lymph node invasion. We used the area under curve of the receiver operating characteristic analysis to quantify the accuracy of the nomogram.

Results

Nineteen (6.8%) patients had lymph node invasion. The median number of lymph nodes removed was 18. The area under the curve for the Briganti 2019 was 0.71. When the cutoff was set at 7%, 84 (30.2%) patients with extended pelvic lymph node dissection could be omitted, and only 1 (1.2%) patient with lymph node invasion would be missed. Sensitivity, specificity, and negative predictive values at the 7% cutoff were 94.7, 32.0, and 98.8%, respectively.

Conclusion

This external validation showed that the Briganti 2019 nomogram was accurate, although there may still be scope for individual adjustments.

Effect of Smoking on Oncological Outcome among Prostate Cancer Patients after Radical Prostatectomy with Neoadjuvant Hormonal Therapy

We analyzed the association between smoking and oncological outcome after radical prostatectomy with neoadjuvant hormonal therapy. This study included men who had undergone radical prostatectomy with neoadjuvant hormonal therapy between 2003 and 2016. We evaluated the association between clinicopathological factors and smoking status as well as the prognostic significance of smoking status in biochemical recurrence. The patients' backgrounds were comparable between smokers and nonsmokers. Smoking status were identified as significant risk factors of biochemical recurrence. Smoking was a risk factor of biochemical recurrence, suggesting that smoking may promote cancer recurrence after surgical treatment combined with hormonal therapy.

Transient acute kidney injury observed immediately after robot-assisted radical prostatectomy but not after open radical prostatectomy

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a serious postoperative complication that occurs following laparoscopic surgery. However, its association with robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP), the gold standard surgery for prostate cancer, is controversial. The current cohort included 257 patients with prostate cancer who underwent either RARP (n=187) or open radical prostatectomy (ORP; n=70). Patient serum creatinine concentration was measured at the following six time points: Prior to surgery, on postoperative day 0 (immediately after surgery), on postoperative day 1, 3 months after surgery, 1 year after surgery and 2 years after surgery. AKI was diagnosed according to the Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) criteria. A total of 25 RARP and 0 ORP patients met the KDIGO criteria on postoperative day 0. On postoperative day 1, 3 RARP and 2 ORP patients met the criteria, suggesting that AKI after RARP was a transient phenomenon. At 1 and 2 years after surgery, 5 of 257 patients exhibited a significant increase in serum creatinine concentrations from baseline results. Clinicians should be aware of transient AKI occurring after RARP, rather than ORP, to ensure better perioperative management in patients undergoing radical prostatectomy.

Oncological Outcome After Radical Prostatectomy without Pelvic Lymph Node Dissection for Localized Prostate Cancer: Follow-up Results in a Single Institution

The oncological benefit of pelvic lymph node dissection (PLND) is still debatable because data on clinical outcomes of radical prostatectomy (RP) without PLND are lacking. In this study, we reported oncological outcome in consecutive 146 patients who underwent RP without PLND. Although 27% of our patients developed biochemical recurrence, the estimated 5-year overall survival rates were 100%, 96.3%, and 95.7% in the low-, intermediate-, and high-risk groups, respectively. These data in our patients were not inferior to those in previous reports that investigated the survivals in patients who received PLND during RP. The therapeutic significance of PLND should be re-evaluated.

Clinical factors affecting perioperative outcomes in robot-assisted radical prostatectomy

The present study investigated clinical factors affecting perioperative outcomes in robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP). The study included 625 Japanese cases treated with RARP between 2009 and 2017. The association between clinical factors (age, overweight status, prostate volume, clinical T-stage, nerve sparing, lympho-node dissection, and the number of experienced cases) and perioperative outcomes (operation time, estimated blood loss, catheterization duration, and perioperative complication) were analyzed. Results revealed that overweight status, prostate volume, lymph-node dissection, and the number of experienced cases were associated with operation time. For estimated blood loss, the identified risk factors were overweight status, prostate volume, nerve sparing, lymph-node dissection, and the number of experienced cases. Lymph-node dissection and the number of experienced cases were also associated with catheterization duration. Additionally, only lymph-node dissection was associated with increased perioperative complication. Taken together, the present study identified several clinical factors affecting perioperative outcomes in RARP. This information may help surgeons to estimate perioperative outcomes as well as to inform patients.

Neoadjuvant androgen-deprivation therapy with radical prostatectomy for prostate cancer in association with age and serum testosterone

BACKGROUND

We aimed to identify the candidate prostate cancer patients suitable for neoadjuvant androgen-deprivation therapy (ADT) with radical prostatectomy (RP).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This study included 711 Japanese patients with clinically localized prostate cancer who were treated with RP between 2000 and 2013. Patients were treated with or without neoadjuvant ADT before RP. The prognostic significance of neoadjuvant ADT on biochemical recurrence (BCR) was analyzed according to various clinicopathological characteristics.

RESULTS

BCR occurred in 186 (26.2%) of 711 patients. The group treated with neoadjuvant ADT showed higher levels of prostate-specific antigen at diagnosis and advanced clinical T-stage, but suppressed pathological T-stage. Neoadjuvant ADT was not associated with the risk of BCR. In subgroup analysis, neoadjuvant ADT was significantly associated with increased BCR in patients aged >65 years [hazard ratio (95% confidence interval), 2.04 (1.13-3.43), P = 0.020]. Among the 53 patients with available serum testosterone levels, neoadjuvant ADT was associated with the risk of BCR according to serum testosterone levels.

CONCLUSION

This study demonstrated that neoadjuvant ADT showed potential deleterious effects in older patients and patients with lower serum testosterone levels, while a possible improved prognosis in patients with high serum testosterone levels treated with neoadjuvant ADT was suggested, warranting further exploration.

Prostate-specific antigen screening impacts on biochemical recurrence in patients with clinically localized prostate cancer

OBJECTIVE

To clarify the impact of prostate-specific antigen screening on surgical outcomes of prostate cancer.

METHODS

Patients who underwent radical prostatectomy were divided into two groups according to prostate-specific antigen testing opportunity (group 1, prostate-specific antigen screening; group 2, non-prostate-specific antigen screening). Perioperative clinical characteristics were compared using the Wilcoxon rank-sum and χ² -tests. Cox proportional hazards models were used to identify independent predictors of postoperative biochemical recurrence-free survival.

RESULTS

In total, 798 patients (63.2%) and 464 patients (36.8%) were categorized into groups 1 and 2, respectively. Group 2 patients were more likely to have a higher prostate-specific antigen level and age at diagnosis and larger prostate volume. Clinical T stage, percentage of positive cores and pathological Gleason score did not differ between the groups. The 5-year biochemical recurrence-free survival rate was 83.9% for group 1 and 71.0% for group 2 (P < 0.001). On multivariate analysis, prostate-specific antigen testing opportunity (hazard ratio 2.530; P < 0.001) was an independent predictive factor for biochemical recurrence after surgery, as well as pathological T stage, pathological Gleason score, positive surgical margin and lymphovascular invasion. Additional analyses showed that prostate-specific antigen screening had a greater impact on biochemical recurrence in a younger patients, patients with a high prostate-specific antigen level, large prostate volume and D'Amico high risk, and patients meeting the exclusion criteria of the Prostate Cancer Research International Active Surveillance study.

CONCLUSIONS

Detection by screening results in favorable outcomes after surgery. Prostate-specific antigen screening might contribute to reducing biochemical recurrence in patients with localized prostate cancer.

New steps of robot-assisted radical prostatectomy using the extraperitoneal approach: a propensity-score matched comparison between extraperitoneal and transperitoneal approach in Japanese patients

Background

Robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) is commonly performed using the transperitoneal (TP) approach with six trocars over an 8-cm distance in the steep Trendelenburg position. In this study, we investigated the feasibility and the benefit of using the extraperitoneal (EP) approach with six trocars over a 4-cm distance in a flat or 5° Trendelenburg position. We also introduced four new steps to the surgical procedure and compared the surgical results and complications between the EP and TP approach using propensity score matching.

Methods

Between August 2012 and August 2016, 200 consecutive patients without any physical restrictions underwent RARP with the EP approach in a less than 5° Trendelenburg position, and 428 consecutive patients underwent RARP with the TP approach in a steep Trendelenburg position. Four new steps to RARP using the EP approach were developed: 1) arranging six trocars; 2) creating the EP space using laparoscopic forceps; 3) holding the separated prostate in the EP space outside the robotic view; and 4) preventing a postoperative inguinal hernia. Clinicopathological results and complications were compared between the EP and TP approaches using propensity score matching. Propensity scores were calculated for each patient using multivariate logistic regression based on the preoperative covariates.

Results

All 200 patients safely underwent RARP using the EP approach. The mean volume of estimated blood loss and duration of indwelling urethral catheter use were significantly lower with the EP approach than the TP approach (139.9 vs 184.9 mL, p = 0.03 and 5.6 vs 7.7 days, p < 0.01, respectively). No significant differences in the positive surgical margin were observed. None of the patients developed an inguinal hernia postoperatively after we introduced this technique.

Conclusions

The EP approach to RARP was safely performed regardless of patient physique or contraindications to a steep Trendelenburg position. Our method, which involved using the EP approach to perform RARP, can decrease the amount of perioperative blood loss, the duration of indwelling urethral catheter use, and the incidence of postoperative inguinal hernia development.

Evidenced-based clinical practice guideline for prostate cancer (summary: Japanese Urological Association, 2016 edition)

These guidelines cover a wide range of topics from prostate cancer epidemiology to palliative care. Questions arising in daily clinical practice have been extracted and formulated as clinical questions. In the 4 years since the previous edition, there have been major changes - for example, robot-assisted prostatectomy has rapidly come into widespread use, and new hormones and anticancer drugs have been developed for castration-resistant prostate cancer. In response to these developments, the number of fields included in this guideline was increased from 11 in the 2012 edition to 16, and the number of clinical questions was increased from 63 to 70. The number of papers identified in searches of the existing literature increased from 4662 in the first edition, published in 2006, to 10 490 in the 2012 edition. The number of references has reached 29 448 just during this review period, indicating the exponential increase in research on the topic of prostate cancer. Clinical answers have been prepared based on the latest evidence. Recommendation grades for the clinical answers were determined by radiologists, pathologists, and other specialists in addition to urologists in order to reflect the recent advances and diversity of prostate cancer treatment. Here, we present a short English version of the original guideline, and overview its key clinical issues.

Robot-assisted radical prostatectomy significantly reduced biochemical recurrence compared to retro pubic radical prostatectomy

Background

The pathological and oncological outcomes of retro-pubic radical prostatectomy (RRP) and robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) have not been sufficiently investigated.

Methods

Treatment-naïve patients with localized prostate cancer (PC) (n = 908; RRP, n = 490; and RARP, n = 418) were enrolled in the study. The clinicopathological outcomes, rate and localization of the positive surgical margin (PSM), localization of PSM, and biochemical recurrence (BCR)-free survival groups were compared between RRP and RARP.

Results

The median patient age and serum PSA level (ng/mL) at diagnosis were 67 years and 7.9 ng/ml, respectively, for RRP, and 67 years and 7.6 ng/ml, respectively, for RARP. The overall PSM rate with RARP was 21%, which was 11% for pT2a, 12% for pT2b, 9.8% for pT2c, 43% for pT3a, 55% for pT3b, and 0% for pT4. The overall PSM rate with RRP was 44%, which was 12% for pT2a, 18% for pT2b, 43% for pT2c, 78% for pT3a, 50% for pT3b, and 40% for pT4. The PSM rate was significantly lower for RARP in men with pT2c and pT3a (p < 0.0001 for both). Multivariate analysis showed that RARP reduced the risk of BCR (hazard ratio; 0.6, p = 0.009).

Conclusions

RARP versus RRP is associated with an improved PSM rate and BCR. To examine the cancer-specific survival, further investigations are needed.

The evolving Gleason grading system

The Gleason grading system for prostate adenocarcinoma has evolved from its original scheme established in the 1960s-1970s, to a significantly modified system after two major consensus meetings conducted by the International Society of Urologic Pathology (ISUP) in 2005 and 2014, respectively. The Gleason grading system has been incorporated into the WHO classification of prostate cancer, the AJCC/UICC staging system, and the NCCN guidelines as one of the key factors in treatment decision. Both pathologists and clinicians need to fully understand the principles and practice of this grading system. We here briefly review the historical aspects of the original scheme and the recent developments of Gleason grading system, focusing on major changes over the years that resulted in the modern Gleason grading system, which has led to a new "Grade Group" system proposed by the 2014 ISUP consensus, and adopted by the 2016 WHO classification of tumours of the prostate.

Performance of 5-aminolevulinic-acid-based photodynamic diagnosis for radical prostatectomy

Background

The aim of this study was to investigate whether we could detect positive surgical margins during open and laparoscopic radical prostatectomy by 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) photodynamic diagnosis (PDD) and mapping of red fluorescence in human prostate cancer cells.

Methods

All 52 patients were diagnosed with prostate cancer by biopsy. They had a positive core in the apex or highly suspicious positive margins. Open and laparoscopic radical prostatectomy was performed in 18 and 34 cases, respectively. One gram of ALA solution was given intraoperatively, orally through a stomach tube. An endoscopic PDD system, including a D-Light C, CCU Tricam SLII/3CCD CH Tricam-P PDD, and HOPKINS II Straight Forward Telescope 0°, was used. The D-Light C light source was equipped with a band-pass filter. The CCU Tricam SLII/3CCD CHTricam-P PDD video camera system was equipped with a long-pass filter. The laparoscopy optic component was equipped with a yellow long-pass filter.

Results

One of the 52 patients had a red-fluorescent-positive margin of the excised whole prostate and the positive surgical margin was histologically confirmed. In the section of excised prostate, we obtained 141 biopsied samples. The sensitivity and specificity were 75.0 % and 87.3 %, respectively.

Conclusions

Intraoperative ALA-PDD is feasible. However, heat degeneration and length of positive surgical margin have crucial influences on red fluorescence. In future, a randomized clinical trial should be carried out.

Evaluation of prognostic factors after radical prostatectomy in pT3b prostate cancer patients in Japanese population

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of the current study was to evaluate prognostic factors after radical prostatectomy for prostate cancer patients with seminal vesicle invasion (pT3b) in the Japanese population.

METHODS

Between January 2005 and December 2011, 814 patients underwent radical prostatectomy without neoadjuvant hormonal therapy at our institutions. Among these patients, 31 were (3.8%) presented with pT3b. Kaplan-Meier method was used to determine biochemical recurrence-free, disease-specific and overall survival of patients in this group. Proportional hazards models were used to determine predictors of biochemical recurrence-free survival.

RESULTS

The median follow-up period was 60 months (range, 9-108 months). During follow-up, 23 patients (74.2%) experienced biochemical recurrence, and the overall 3-year probability of freedom from biochemical recurrence was 29%. However, only one patient died of the disease, and the 5-year overall survival was 92%. In multivariate analysis, age at the time of surgery was the only significant variable for predicting biochemical recurrence after radical prostatectomy (P = 0.0356, hazard ratio = 0.92, 95% confidence interval = 0.851-0.994).

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with seminal vesicle invasion of pathological specimens after radical prostatectomy have high biochemical recurrence, but the survival was favorable especially in light of current multimodal treatment regimens. However, patients with younger age at the time of surgery, in particular, should receive multimodal treatments to improve their outcome.

Prediction of biochemical recurrence after robot-assisted radical prostatectomy: analysis of 784 Japanese patients

OBJECTIVES

To examine biochemical recurrence after robot-assisted radical prostatectomy in Japanese patients, and to develop a risk stratification model for biochemical recurrence.

METHODS

The study cohort consisted of 784 patients with localized prostate cancer who underwent robot-assisted radical prostatectomy without neoadjuvant or adjuvant endocrine therapy. The relationships of biochemical recurrence with perioperative findings were evaluated. The prognostic factors for biochemical recurrence-free survival were evaluated using Cox proportional hazard model analyses.

RESULTS

During the follow-up period, 80 patients showed biochemical recurrence. The biochemical recurrence-free survival rates at 1, 3, and 5 years were 92.2%, 85.2% and 80.1%, respectively. In univariate analysis, the prostate-specific antigen level, prostate-specific antigen density, biopsy Gleason score, percent positive core, pathological T stage, pathological Gleason score, lymphovascular invasion, perineural invasion and positive surgical margin were significantly associated with biochemical recurrence. In multivariate analysis, prostate-specific antigen density ≥0.4 (P = 0.0011), pathological T stage ≥3a (P = 0.002), pathological Gleason score ≥8 (P = 0.007) and positive surgical margin (P < 0.0001) were independent predictors of biochemical recurrence. The patients were stratified into three risk groups according to these factors. The 5-year biochemical recurrence-free survival rate was 89.4% in the low-risk group, 65.6% in the intermediate-risk group and 30.3% in the high-risk group.

CONCLUSIONS

The prostate-specific antigen density, pathological T stage, pathological Gleason score and positive surgical margin were independent prognostic factors for biochemical recurrence. The risk stratification model developed using these four factors could help clinicians identify patients with a poor prognosis who might be good candidates for clinical trials of alternative management strategies.

Outcomes and predictive factors of prostate cancer patients with extremely high prostate-specific antigen level

PURPOSE

Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) is a useful biomarker of prostate cancer (PCa). High-risk localized PCa is defined using T stage, Gleason score (GS), and PSA. However, PSA level defining high-risk PCa is at most 20 ng/mL. In PCa patients with high PSA, it is unclear whether PSA itself can be a prognostic factor.

METHODS

Of 642 patients who were diagnosed as PCa, 90 patients with PSA > 100 ng/mL were retrospectively analyzed. Patients were divided into three groups according to PSA level: very high (>1,000 ng/mL), moderately high (200-1,000 ng/mL), and slightly high (100-200 ng/mL).

RESULTS

There were no significant differences in overall survival or PCa-specific survival (PCaSS) among the three groups. Regardless of PSA level, high M stage and GS significantly reduced PCaSS. When the risk classification was made using M stage and GS (high risk = M1 and GS ≥ 9, low risk = M0 and GS < 9, and intermediate risk = others), PCaSS was significantly different among high-, intermediate-, and low-risk groups with 5-year survival rates of 58.2, 80.6, and 100 %, respectively. Although there were no differences in treatment performed during the castration-resistant stage, patients undergoing alternative anti-androgen and zoledronic acid treatment had better PCaSS after being castration-resistant.

CONCLUSIONS

As PSA could not be a prognostic factor in PCa patients with high PSA > 100 ng/mL, the novel risk classification using M stage and GS may help clinicians to predict PCaSS and to plan follow-up schedules after diagnosis.

External validation of risk classification in patients with docetaxel-treated castration-resistant prostate cancer

BACKGROUND

Castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) patients have poor prognoses, and docetaxel (DTX) is among the few treatment options. An accurate risk classification to identify CRPC patient groups for which DTX would be effective is urgently warranted. The Armstrong risk classification (ARC), which classifies CRPC patients into 3 groups, is superior; however, its usefulness remains unclear, and further external validation is required before clinical use. This study aimed to examine the clinical significance of the ARC through external validation in DTX-treated Japanese CRPC patients.

METHODS

CRPC patients who received 2 or more DTX cycles were selected for this study. Patients were classified into good-, intermediate-, and poor-risk groups according to the ARC. Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) responses and overall survival (OS) were calculated and compared between the risk groups. A multivariate analysis was performed to clarify the relationship between the ARC and major patient characteristics.

RESULTS

Seventy-eight CRPC patients met the inclusion criteria. Median PSA levels at DTX initiation was 20 ng/mL. Good-, intermediate-, and poor-risk groups comprised 51 (65%), 17 (22%), and 10 (13%) patients, respectively. PSA response rates ≥ 30% and ≥ 50% were 33%, 41%, and 30%, and 18%, 41%, and 20% in the good-, intermediate-, and poor-risk groups, respectivcixely, with no significant differences (p = 0.133 and 0.797, respectively). The median OS in the good-, intermediate-, and poor-risk groups were statistically significant (p < 0.001) at 30.1, 14.2, and 5.7 months, respectively. A multivariate analysis revealed that the ARC and PSA doubling time were independent prognostic factors.

CONCLUSIONS

Most of CRPC patients were classified into good-risk group according to the ARC and the ARC could predict prognosis in DTX-treated CRPC patients.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

University Hospital Medical Information Network Clinical Trials Registry (UMIN-CTR) number, UMIN000011969.

The reasons behind variation in Gleason grading of prostatic biopsies: areas of agreement and misconception among 266 European pathologists

AIMS

The Gleason scoring system underwent revision at the International Society of Urological Pathology (ISUP) conference in 2005. It is not known how uropathologists have interpreted its recommendations.

METHOD AND RESULTS

A web-based survey to European Network of Uropathology members received replies from 266 pathologists in 22 countries. Eighty-nine per cent claimed to follow ISUP recommendations. Key areas of disagreement included the following. Smoothly rounded cribriform glands were assigned Gleason pattern (GP) 3 by 51% and GP 4 by 49%. Necrosis was diagnosed as GP 5 by 62%. Any amount of secondary pattern of higher grade in needle biopsies was included in the Gleason score by 58%. Tertiary GP of higher grade on needle biopsies was included in the Gleason score by only 58%. If biopsy cores were embedded separately, only 56% would give a Gleason score for each core/slide examined; 68% would give a concluding Gleason score and the most common method was a global Gleason score (77%). Among those who blocked multiple biopsy cores together, 46% would only give an overall Gleason score for the case.

CONCLUSION

Misinterpretation of ISUP 2005 is widespread, and may explain the variation in Gleason scoring seen. Clarity and uniformity in teaching ISUP 2005 recommendations is necessary.

Comparison of three versions of Partin tables to predict final pathologic stage in a Chinese cohort: a decision curve analysis

PURPOSE

To compare Partin tables (PTs) 1997, 2001, and 2007 for their clinical applicability in a Chinese cohort based upon a decision curve analysis (DCA).

METHODS

Clinical and pathologic data of 264 consecutive Chinese patients with clinically localized prostate cancer were used. These patients underwent open radical prostatectomy between 2005 and 2011. DCA quantified the net benefit of different PT versions relating to specific threshold probabilities of established capsular penetration (ECP), seminal vesicle involvement (SVI), and lymph node involvement (LNI).

RESULTS

Overall, ECP, SVI, and LNI were recorded in 23.1, 10.2, and 6.1%, respectively. When the threshold probability was below the prevalence for LNI and ECP predictions, the DCA favored the 2007 version versus the 1997 version for SVI.

CONCLUSIONS

DCA indicates that for low threshold probability, decision models are useful to discriminate the performance differences of three PT versions, although net benefit differences were not apparent. For high threshold probability, there may not be an important benefit from the use of PTs and the current analysis cannot translate into meaningful net gains differences.

Are preoperative Kattan and Stephenson nomograms predicting biochemical recurrence after radical prostatectomy applicable in the Chinese population?

Purpose. Kattan and Stephenson nomograms are based on the outcomes of patients with prostate cancer recruited in the USA, but their applicability to Chinese patients is yet to be validated. We aim at studying the predictive accuracy of these nomograms in the Chinese population. Patients and Methods. A total of 408 patients who underwent laparoscopic or open radical resection of prostate from 1995 to 2009 were recruited. The preoperative clinical parameters of these patients were collected, and they were followed up regularly with PSA monitored. Biochemical recurrence was defined as two or more consecutive PSA levels >0.4 ng/mL after radical resection of prostate or secondary cancer treatment. Results. The overall observed 5-year and 10-year biochemical recurrence-free survival rates were 68.3% and 59.8%, which was similar to the predicted values by the Kattan and Stephenson nomograms, respectively. The results of our study achieved a good concordance with both nomograms (Kattan: 5-years, 0.64; Stephenson: 5-years, 0.62, 10-years, 0.71). Conclusions. The incidence of prostate cancer in Hong Kong is increasing together with the patients' awareness of this disease. Despite the fact that Kattan nomograms were derived from the western population, it has been validated in our study to be useful in Chinese patients as well.

Neoadjuvant hormonal therapy is a feasible option in laparoscopic radical prostatectomy

BACKGROUND

Few reports can be found in the literature with respect to the impact of neoadjuvant hormonal therapy (NHT) on operative parameters on laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (LRP) in a large study. The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of NHT prior to LRP for locally confined prostate cancer.

METHODS

From January 2004 to September 2009, 342 patients undergoing LRP were analyzed, specifically comparing 72 patients who received NHT to 270 who did not. All patients were in clinical stage T2 and nerve sparing LRP were not included.

RESULTS

The mean patient age, preoperative prostate specific antigen (PSA), clinical stage, and biopsy Gleason grade were similar for the NHT and the non-NHT LRP groups. The median blood loss and the median operative time were also similar. There were no differences in the intraoperative complication rate of rectum injury, blood transfusion, and open surgery conversion. The positive surgical margin rate was significantly improved in NHT patients. Moreover, PSA recurrence within two years was significantly less in long-term NHT than in non-NHT patients.

CONCLUSIONS

LRP was shown as a safe and efficacious procedure in patients who have received NHT. Perioperative morbidity of NHT patients undergoing LRP appears equivalent to non-NHT patients, with lower positive surgical margin, and PSA recurrence rate.

Improvement of the surgical curability of locally confined prostate cancer including non-organ-confined high-risk disease through retropubic radical prostatectomy with intentional wide resection

Background

Retropubic radical prostatectomy with intentional wide resection (RRP-WR), which enables clear location of the prostate apex and the performance of posterolateral wider resection to remove extraprostatic extension, was introduced to our institutions. The aim of this study is to assess the feasibility and the efficacy of RRP-WR as a surgical intervention for locally confined prostate cancer.

Methods

A total of 90 Japanese patients with pathologically proven and clinically locally confined hormone-naïve prostate cancer were treated through RRP-WR, and the surgical morbidity was assessed. The patients were observed without immediate treatment until biochemical recurrence (BCR).

Results

The surgical morbidities were comparable to conventional procedures. No positive surgical margin (pSM) was pathologically identified in pT2 cases from prostatectomy specimens. It was identified in only 14.3% of pT3a cases, 36.4% of pT3b cases and 100% of pT4 cases. No apical pSM was found except for one of the pT4 cases in the levator ani muscle. PSA was at an undetectable level in 80.0% of all cases, 90.0% of pT2 cases, and 67.5% of pT3 and pT4 cases after surgery. The BCR-free survival rate in all cases was 82.4% and that of high-risk cases without pSM was 76.9% at a median follow-up of 19.3 months (3.3 to 59.2).

Conclusions

RRP-WR is feasible and effective in removing organ-confined prostate cancer as well as extraprostatic extension without pSM. Thus, it is worthwhile to evaluate if this procedure improves the clinical outcome of locally confined prostate cancer including high-risk conditions treated by surgical intervention.

Gleason grading: past, present and future

In 1966 Donald Gleason developed his grading and scoring system for prostatic adenocarcinoma. This classification was refined in 1974 and gained almost universal acceptance, being classified as a category 1 prognostic parameter by the College of American Pathologists. Modifications to the classification were recommended at a conference convened by the International Society of Urological Pathology (ISUP) in 2005. This modified classification has resulted in a significant upgrading of tumours, although some studies have shown a greater concordance between needle biopsy and radical prostatectomy scores when compared to classical Gleason (CG) grading. The ISUP consensus conference recommended that for needle biopsies higher tertiary patterns should be incorporated into the final Gleason score, and this has been correlated with biochemical failure, tumour volume and mortality. Recently the validity of including cribriform glands as a component of Gleason pattern 3 has been questioned and it has been recommended that all tumours showing cribriform architecture should be classified as Gleason pattern 4. The recommendations arising from the 2005 Consensus Conference were largely unsupported by validating data, yet this new grading system has achieved widespread usage. It is unfortunate that recent suggestions for further modification are similarly lacking in supporting evidence. In view of this it is recommended that the Modified Gleason Scoring Classification should continue to be utilized in its original (2005) format and that any future alterations should be implemented only when mandated by tumour-related outcome studies.

An updated prostate cancer staging nomogram (Partin tables) based on cases from 2006 to 2011

OBJECTIVE

To update the 2007 Partin tables in a contemporary patient population.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The study population consisted of 5,629 consecutive men who underwent RP and staging lymphadenectomy at the Johns Hopkins Hospital between January 1, 2006 and July 30, 2011 and met inclusion criteria. Polychotomous logistic regression analysis was used to predict the probability of each pathologic stage category: organ-confined disease (OC), extraprostatic extension (EPE), seminal vesicle involvement (SV+), or lymph node involvement (LN+) based on preoperative criteria. Preoperative variables included biopsy Gleason score (6, 3+4, 4+3, 8, and 9-10), serum PSA (0-2.5, 2.6-4.0, 4.1-6.0, 6.1-10.0, greater than 10.0 ng/mL), and clinical stage (T1c, T2c, and T2b/T2c). Bootstrap re-sampling with 1000 replications was performed to estimate 95% confidence intervals for predicted probabilities of each pathologic state.

RESULTS

The median PSA was 4.9 ng/mL, 63% had Gleason 6 disease, and 78% of men had T1c disease. 73% of patients had OC disease, 23% had EPE, 3% had SV+ but not LN+, and 1% had LN+ disease. Compared to the previous Partin nomogram, there was no change in the distribution of pathologic state. The risk of LN+ disease was significantly higher for tumours with biopsy Gleason 9-10 than Gleason 8 (O.R. 3.2, 95% CI 1.3-7.6). The c-indexes for EPE vs. OC, SV+ vs. OC, and LN+ vs. OC were 0.702, 0.853, and 0.917, respectively. Men with biopsy Gleason 4+3 and Gleason 8 had similar predicted probabilities for all pathologic stages. Most men presenting with Gleason 6 disease or Gleason 3+4 disease have <2% risk of harboring LN+ disease and may have lymphadenectomy omitted at RP.

CONCLUSIONS

The distribution of pathologic stages did not change at our institution between 2000-2005 and 2006-2011. The updated Partin nomogram takes into account the updated Gleason scoring system and may be more accurate for contemporary patients diagnosed with prostate cancer.

Genetic predisposition to early recurrence in clinically localized prostate cancer

WHAT'S KNOWN ON THE SUBJECT? AND WHAT DOES THE STUDY ADD?: Currently available nomograms to predict preoperative risk of early biochemical recurrence (EBCR) after radical prostatectomy are solely based on classic clinicopathological variables. Despite providing useful predictions, these models are not perfect. Indeed, most researchers agree that nomograms can be improved by incorporating novel biomarkers. In the last few years, several single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) have been associated with prostate cancer, but little is known about their impact on disease recurrence. We have identified four SNPs associated with EBCR. The addition of SNPs to classic nomograms resulted in a significant improvement in terms of discrimination and calibration. The new nomogram, which combines clinicopathological and genetic variables, will help to improve prediction of prostate cancer recurrence.

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate genetic susceptibility to early biochemical recurrence (EBCR) after radical prostatectomy (RP), as a prognostic factor for early systemic dissemination. To build a preoperative nomogram to predict EBCR combining genetic and clinicopathological factors.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We evaluated 670 patients from six University Hospitals who underwent RP for clinically localized prostate cancer (PCa), and were followed-up for at least 5 years or until biochemical recurrence. EBCR was defined as a level prostate-specific antigen >0.4 ng/mL within 1 year of RP; preoperative variables studied were: age, prostate-specific antigen, clinical stage, biopsy Gleason score, and the genotype of 83 PCa-related single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). Univariate allele association tests and multivariate logistic regression were used to generate predictive models for EBCR, with clinicopathological factors and adding SNPs. We internally validated the models by bootstrapping and compared their accuracy using the area under the curve (AUC), net reclassification improvement, integrated discrimination improvement, calibration plots and Vickers' decision curves.

RESULTS

Four common SNPs at KLK3, KLK2, SULT1A1 and BGLAP genes were independently associated with EBCR. A significant increase in AUC was observed when SNPs were added to the model: AUC (95% confidence interval) 0.728 (0.674-0.784) vs 0.763 (0.708-0.817). Net reclassification improvement showed a significant increase in probability for events of 60.7% and a decrease for non-events of 63.5%. Integrated discrimination improvement and decision curves confirmed the superiority of the new model.

CONCLUSIONS

Four SNPs associated with EBCR significantly improved the accuracy of clinicopathological factors. We present a nomogram for preoperative prediction of EBCR after RP.

Nomograms to predict the pathological stage of clinically localized prostate cancer in Korean men: comparison with western predictive tools using decision curve analysis

OBJECTIVES

To develop and evaluate nomograms to predict the pathological stage of clinically localized prostate cancer after radical prostatectomy in Korean men.

METHODS

We reviewed the medical records of 2041 patients who had clinical stages T1c-T3a prostate cancer and were treated solely with radical prostatectomy at two hospitals. Logistic regressions were carried out to predict organ-confined disease, extraprostatic extension, seminal vesicle invasion, and lymph node metastasis using preoperative variables and resulting nomograms. Internal validations were assessed using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve and calibration plot, and then external validations were carried out on 129 patients from another hospital. Head-to-head comparisons with 2007 Partin tables and Cancer of the Prostate Risk Assessment score were carried out using the area under the curve and decision curve analysis.

RESULTS

The significant predictors for organ-confined disease and extraprostatic extension were clinical stage, prostate-specific antigen, Gleason score and a percent positive core of biopsy. Significant predictors for seminal vesicle invasion were prostate-specific antigen, Gleason score and percent positive core, and those for lymph node metastasis were prostate-specific antigen and percent positive core. The area under the curve of established nomograms for organ-confined disease, extraprostatic extension, seminal vesicle invasion and lymph node metastasis were 0.809, 0.804, 0.889 and 0.838, respectively. The nomograms were well calibrated and externally validated. These nomograms showed significantly higher accuracies and net benefits than two Western tools in Korean men.

CONCLUSION

This is the first study to have developed and fully validated nomograms to predict the pathological stage of prostate cancer in an Asian population. These nomograms might be more accurate and useful for Korean men than other predictive models developed using Western populations.

Tri-Modality therapy with I-125 brachytherapy, external beam radiation therapy, and short- or long-term hormone therapy for high-risk localized prostate cancer (TRIP): study protocol for a phase III, multicenter, randomized, controlled trial

Background

Patients with high Gleason score, elevated prostate specific antigen (PSA) level, and advanced clinical stage are at increased risk for both local and systemic relapse. Recent data suggests higher radiation doses decrease local recurrence and may ultimately benefit biochemical, metastasis-free and disease-specific survival. No randomized data is available on the benefits of long-term hormonal therapy (HT) in these patients. A prospective study on the efficacy and safety of trimodality treatment consisting of HT, external beam radiation therapy (EBRT), and brachytherapy (BT) for high-risk prostate cancer (PCa) is strongly required.

Methods/Design

This is a phase III, multicenter, randomized controlled trial (RCT) of trimodality with BT, EBRT, and HT for high-risk PCa (TRIP) that will investigate the impact of adjuvant HT following BT using iodine-125 (¹²⁵I-BT) and supplemental EBRT with neoadjuvant and concurrent HT. Prior to the end of September 2012, a total of 340 patients with high-risk PCa will be enrolled and randomized to one of two treatment arms. These patients will be recruited from more than 41 institutions, all of which have broad experience with ¹²⁵I-BT. Pathological slides will be centrally reviewed to confirm patient eligibility. The patients will commonly undergo 6-month HT with combined androgen blockade (CAB) before and during ¹²⁵I-BT and supplemental EBRT. Those randomly assigned to the long-term HT group will subsequently undergo 2 years of adjuvant HT with luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone agonist. All participants will be assessed at baseline and every 3 months for the first 30 months, then every 6 months until 84 months from the beginning of CAB.

The primary endpoint is biochemical progression-free survival. Secondary endpoints are overall survival, clinical progression-free survival, disease-specific survival, salvage therapy non-adaptive interval, and adverse events.

Discussion

To our knowledge, there have been no prospective studies documenting the efficacy and safety of trimodality therapy for high-risk PCa. The present RCT is expected to provide additional insight regarding the potency and limitations of the addition of 2 years of adjuvant HT to this trimodality approach, and to establish an appropriate treatment strategy for high-risk PCa.

Trial registration

UMIN000003992