Salvage surgery for locally recurrent prostate cancer after radiation therapy: Tricks of the trade

Single fraction multimodal image guided focal salvage high-dose-rate brachytherapy for recurrent prostate cancer

PURPOSE

We present a novel method for treatment of locally recurrent prostate cancer (PCa) following radiation therapy: focal, multimodal image guided high-dose-rate (HDR) brachytherapy.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

We treated two patients with recurrent PCa after primary (#1) or adjuvant (#2) external beam radiation therapy. Multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI), choline, positron emission tomography combined with computed tomography (PET/CT), or prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA)-PET combined with CT identified a single intraprostatic lesion. Positron emission tomography or magnetic resonance imaging - transrectal ultrasound (MRI-TRUS) fusion guided transperineal biopsy confirmed PCa within each target lesion. We defined a PET and mpMRI based gross tumor volume (GTV). A 5 mm isotropic margin was applied additionally to each lesion to generate a planning target volume (PTV), which accounts for technical fusion inaccuracies. A D90 of 18 Gy was intended in one fraction to each PTV using ultrasound guided HDR brachytherapy.

RESULTS

Six month follow-up showed adequate prostate specific antygen (PSA) decline in both patients (ΔPSA 83% in patient 1 and ΔPSA 59.3% in patient 2). Follow-up 3-tesla MRI revealed regressive disease in both patients and PSMA-PET/CT showed no evidence of active disease in patient #1. No acute or late toxicities occurred.

CONCLUSIONS

Single fraction, focal, multimodal image guided salvage HDR brachytherapy for recurrent prostate cancer is a feasible therapy for selected patients with single lesions. This approach has to be evaluated in larger clinical trials.

Early prediction of therapy responses and outcomes in breast cancer patients using quantitative ultrasound spectral texture

Early alterations in textural characteristics of quantitative ultrasound spectral parametric maps, in conjunction with changes in their mean values, are demonstrated here, for the first time, to be capable of predicting ultimate clinical/pathologic responses of breast cancer patients to chemotherapy. Mechanisms of cell death, induced by chemotherapy within tumor, introduce morphological alterations in cancerous cells, resulting in measurable changes in tissue echogenicity. We have demonstrated that the development of such changes is reflected in early alterations in textural characteristics of quantitative ultrasound spectral parametric maps, followed by consequent changes in their mean values. The spectral/textural biomarkers derived on this basis have been demonstrated as non-invasive surrogates of breast cancer chemotherapy response. Particularly, spectral biomarkers sensitive to the size and concentration of acoustic scatterers could predict treatment response of patients with up to 80% of sensitivity and specificity (p=0.050), after one week within 3-4 months of chemotherapy. However, textural biomarkers characterizing heterogeneities in distribution of acoustic scatterers, could differentiate between treatment responding and non-responding patients with up to 100% sensitivity and 93% specificity (p=0.002). Such early prediction permits offering effective alternatives to standard treatment, or switching to a salvage therapy, for refractory patients.

Population-based analysis of salvage radical prostatectomy with examination of factors associated with adverse perioperative outcomes

INTRODUCTION

Salvage radical prostatectomy (SRP) is a potentially curative operation performed for recurrent prostate cancer after radiation therapy (RT). The purpose of this study was to examine perioperative and pathologic outcomes of SRP in a national cohort.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The National Cancer Database from 1998 to 2011 was used to identify 408 patients who underwent SRP. We evaluated the demographic data, clinical variables, and pathologic and perioperative outcomes. Primary outcomes of interest were length of stay (LOS) and positive surgical margins (PSM). A multivariable logistic regression model was employed to identify preoperative predictors of LOS ≥ 3 days and PSM following SRP.

RESULTS

Among patients undergoing SRP, the mean age was 62.5 ± 6.8 years, mean prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level was 12.6 ± 15.6 ng/ml, and 64% were categorized as clinical stage T1. External beam RT (89%), followed by brachytherapy (11%), was the most common modalities for primary RT. Most SRPs were performed at high-volume centers (57%) in metropolitan locations (83%). Most patients underwent a lymph node dissection (75%) and the mean node count was 15.0 ± 30.1. On final pathology, 73% had intermediate- or high-grade disease (Gleason score 7 in 43% and Gleason score 8-10 in 30%), 49% had pT3 or pT4 disease, 6.2% had positive lymph nodes, and 34% had PSM. The mean LOS was 3.5 ± 9.9 days, and 43% of patients had a LOS ≥ 3 days. The 30-day readmission rate was 6.5% after SRP, and 30- and 90-day postoperative mortality rates were extremely low at 0.4% (n = 1). On multivariable analysis of the entire cohort, PSA level > 20 ng/ml was an independent predictor of PSM (OR = 3.68, 95% CI: 1.2-10.9, P = 0.018). PSA level > 20 ng/ml (OR = 4.37, 95% CI: 1.2-16.2, P = 0.027) and cT2 or greater disease (OR = 2.52, 95% CI: 1.0-6.2, P = 0.046) were associated with prolonged LOS (LOS ≥ 3d), whereas surgery at an academic facility (OR = 0.30, 95% CI: 0.1-0.8, P = 0.02) reduced the odds of LOS ≥ 3 days.

CONCLUSIONS

In select patients derived from a population-based cohort, SRP results in effective local cancer control with acceptable perioperative outcomes. PSA level > 20 ng/ml is independently associated with PSM and prolonged LOS after SRP. Clinical stage T2 or greater disease is also associated with prolonged LOS, whereas surgery at an academic facility reduced this risk.

Total bladder and posterior urethral reconstruction: salvage technique for defunctionalized bladder with recalcitrant posterior urethral stenosis

PURPOSE

Recalcitrant posterior urethral stenosis is a challenging disease. When combined with a defunctionalized bladder, cutaneous urinary diversion is the most common surgical option. We present a novel technique of total lower urinary tract reconstruction, combining salvage cystectomy, ileal neobladder formation and urethral pull-through, as an orthotopic alternative in patients with a defunctionalized bladder and recalcitrant posterior urethral stenosis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We completed a retrospective review of 8 patients who underwent salvage cystectomy, orthotopic ileal neobladder formation and urethral pull-through. Artificial urinary sphincter placement was performed in a staged fashion. Six patients received prostate cancer treatment including radiation therapy, 1 had urethral disruption after robotic radical prostatectomy, and 1 experienced bladder rupture and urethral distraction injury during a motorcycle accident. Patient demographics, operative variables and postoperative outcomes were examined.

RESULTS

No high grade complications were observed after salvage cystectomy, orthotopic neobladder formation and urethral pull-through. After staged artificial urinary sphincter placement, a median of 2 revision surgeries (range 0 to 4) was required to establish social continence. All patients maintained functional urinary storage, urethral patency and social continence at a median followup of 58 months. No patient had complications related to orthotopic neobladder formation, including ureteroileal anastomotic stricture or pyelonephritis, and no patient required cutaneous diversion.

CONCLUSIONS

Total lower urinary tract reconstruction with cystectomy, ileal neobladder formation and urethral pull-through offers an orthotopic alternative for patients with recalcitrant posterior urethral stenosis and defunctionalized bladders. Although it requires staged placement of an artificial urinary sphincter, this approach can offer functional urinary storage, durable urethral patency and avoidance of cutaneous urinary diversion.

Salvage radical prostatectomy for radiation-recurrent prostate cancer: a multi-institutional collaboration

BACKGROUND

Oncologic outcomes in men with radiation-recurrent prostate cancer (PCa) treated with salvage radical prostatectomy (SRP) are poorly defined.

OBJECTIVE

To identify predictors of biochemical recurrence (BCR), metastasis, and death following SRP to help select patients who may benefit from SRP.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS

This is a retrospective, international, multi-institutional cohort analysis. There was a median follow-up of 4.4 yr following SRP performed on 404 men with radiation-recurrent PCa from 1985 to 2009 in tertiary centers.

INTERVENTION

Open SRP.

MEASUREMENTS

BCR after SRP was defined as a serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) ≥ 0.1 or ≥ 0.2 ng/ml (depending on the institution). Secondary end points included progression to metastasis and cancer-specific death.

RESULTS AND LIMITATIONS

Median age at SRP was 65 yr of age, and median pre-SRP PSA was 4.5 ng/ml. Following SRP, 195 patients experienced BCR, 64 developed metastases, and 40 died from PCa. At 10 yr after SRP, BCR-free survival, metastasis-free survival, and cancer-specific survival (CSS) probabilities were 37% (95% confidence interval [CI], 31-43), 77% (95% CI, 71-82), and 83% (95% CI, 76-88), respectively. On preoperative multivariable analysis, pre-SRP PSA and Gleason score at postradiation prostate biopsy predicted BCR (p = 0.022; global p < 0.001) and metastasis (p = 0.022; global p < 0.001). On postoperative multivariable analysis, pre-SRP PSA and pathologic Gleason score at SRP predicted BCR (p = 0.014; global p < 0.001) and metastasis (p < 0.001; global p < 0.001). Lymph node involvement (LNI) also predicted metastasis (p = 0.017). The main limitations of this study are its retrospective design and the follow-up period.

CONCLUSIONS

In a select group of patients who underwent SRP for radiation-recurrent PCa, freedom from clinical metastasis was observed in >75% of patients 10 yr after surgery. Patients with lower pre-SRP PSA levels and lower postradiation prostate biopsy Gleason score have the highest probability of cure from SRP.

Current salvage methods for recurrent prostate cancer after failure of primary radiotherapy

We reviewed the current salvage methods for patients with local recurrent prostate cancer after primary radiotherapy (RT), using a search of relevant Medline/PubMed articles published from 1982 to 2008, with the following search terms: 'radiorecurrent prostate cancer, local salvage treatment, salvage radical prostatectomy (RP), salvage cryoablation, salvage brachytherapy, salvage high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU)', and permutations of the above. Only articles written in English were included. The objectives of this review were to analyse the eligibility criteria for careful selection of appropriate patients and to evaluate the oncological results and complications for each method. There are four whole-gland re-treatment options (salvage RP, salvage cryoablation, salvage brachytherapy, salvage HIFU) for RT failure, although others might be in development or investigations. Salvage RP has the longest follow-up with acceptable oncological results, but it is a challenging technique with a high complication rate. Salvage cryoablation is a feasible option, especially using third-generation technology, whereby the average biochemical disease-free survival rate is 50-70% and there are fewer occurrences of severe complications such as recto-urethral fistula. Salvage brachytherapy, with short-term cancer control, is comparable to other salvage methods but depends on cumulative dosage limitation to target tissues. HIFU is a relatively recent option in the salvage setting. Both salvage brachytherapy and HIFU require more detailed studies with intermediate and long-term follow-up. As these are not prospective, randomized studies and the definitions of biochemical failure varied, there are limited comparisons among these different salvage methods, including efficacy. In the focal therapy salvage setting, the increased use of thermoablative methods for eligible patients might contribute to reducing complications and maintaining quality of life. The problem to effectively salvage patients with locally recurrent disease after RT is the lack of diagnostic examinations with sufficient sensitivity and specificity to detect local recurrence at an early curable stage. Therefore, a more strict definition of biochemical failure, improved imaging techniques, and accurate specimen mapping are needed as diagnostic tools. Furthermore, universal selection criteria and an integrated definition of biochemical failure for all salvage methods are required to determine which provides the best oncological efficacy and least comorbidity.

[Brachytherapy of the prostate cancer]

Prostate cancer (PCA) is the most frequent onlocological disease in men. Every year there are ca. 202.000 new cases of prostate cancer in Europe. Curative treatment of this carcinoma via brachytherapy is becoming increasingly significant (20-30% of all curative approaches). Initial staging and thus allocation to risk groups prior to the commencement of therapy is esspecially important for successful brachytherapy treatment.Low-dose-rate (LDR) brachytherapy (i.e. SEED implantation) distinguishes itself both with respect to the procedure as well as the indication from high-dose-rate brachytherapy (afterloading procedure). Both treatment procedures are employed as monotherapy as well as in combination with external radiation.LDR monotherapy is reported to achieve biochemically relapse-free outcome of up to 90% in low-risk tumours during 10-year follow-up periods. Combined HDR tele- and brachytherapy is reported to achieve a biochemically relapse-free outcome of 80-90% with intermediate- and high-risk tumours in long-term follow-up.While randomized studies are as yet missing, it is still possible to derive the following application algorithms from monitoring studies and cohort studies: application of LDR monobrachytherapy must be restricted to low-risk tumorus. Combined HDR tele- and brachytherapy can be sucessfully applied in cases of intermediate- and high-risk tumours. The outcome depends significantly on the initial, pre-therapy PSA value and Gleason score. Posttherapeutically, the nadir value is crucial with respect to predicting the biochemically relapse-free outcome.