PATIENT EVALUATION IF PROSTATE-SPECIFIC ANTIGEN BECOMES ELEVATED FOLLOWING RADICAL PROSTATECTOMY OR RADIATION THERAPY

Recurrent prostate cancer detection with anti-3-[(18)F]FACBC PET/CT: comparison with CT

PURPOSE

To compare the diagnostic performance of the synthetic amino acid analogue PET radiotracer anti-3-[(18)F]FACBC (fluciclovine) with that of CT in the detection of recurrent prostate carcinoma.

METHODS

This was a retrospective analysis of 53 bone scan-negative patients with suspected recurrent prostate carcinoma who underwent fluciclovine PET/CT and routine clinical CT within 90 days of each other. The correlation between imaging findings and histology and clinical follow-up was evaluated. Positivity rates and diagnostic performance were calculated for fluciclovine PET/CT and CT.

RESULTS

Of 53 fluciclovine PET/CT and 53 CT examinations, 41 (77.4 %) and 10 (18.9 %), respectively, had positive findings for recurrent disease. Positivity rates were higher with fluciclovine PET/CT than with CT at all prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels, PSA doubling times and original Gleason scores. In the prostate/bed, fluciclovine PET/CT was true-positive in 31 and CT was true-positive in 4 of 51 patients who met the reference standard. In extraprostatic regions, fluciclovine PET/CT was true-positive in 12 and CT was true-positive in 3 of 41 patients who met the reference standard. Of the 43 index lesions used to prove positivity, 42 (97.7 %) had histological proof. In 51 patients with sufficient follow-up to calculate diagnostic performance in the prostate/bed, fluciclovine PET/CT demonstrated a sensitivity of 88.6 %, a specificity of 56.3 %, an accuracy of 78.4 %, a positive predictive value (PPV) of 81.6 %, and a negative predictive value (NPV) of 69.2 %; the respective values for CT were 11.4 %, 87.5 %, 35.3 %, 66.7 % and 31.1 %. In 41 patients with sufficient follow-up to calculate diagnostic performance in extraprostatic regions, fluciclovine PET/CT demonstrated a sensitivity of 46.2 %, a specificity of 100 %, an accuracy of 65.9 %, a PPV of 100 %, and an NPV of 51.7 %; the respective values for CT were 11.5 %, 100 %, 43.9 %, 100 % and 39.5 %.

CONCLUSION

The diagnostic performance of fluciclovine PET/CT in recurrent prostate cancer is superior to that of CT and fluciclovine PET/CT provides better delineation of prostatic from extraprostatic recurrence.

Cost-effectiveness analysis comparing degarelix with leuprolide in hormonal therapy for patients with locally advanced prostate cancer

Degarelix, approved in the USA in 2008, is a gonadotropin-releasing hormone antagonist, representing one of the latest additions to androgen deprivation therapy (ADT). ADT is used as first-line therapy for locally advanced or metastatic prostate cancer with the aim to reduce testosterone to castrate levels. Like other gonadotropin-releasing hormone-antagonists, degarelix treatment results in rapid decrease in luteinizing hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone and testosterone levels without the associated risk of flare. Using one registration trial for degarelix with leuprolide as the active control, a cost-effectiveness analysis with a Markov model and a 20-year time horizon found the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio for degarelix to be US$245/quality-adjusted life years. Degarelix provides a cost-effective treatment for ADT among patients with locally advanced prostate cancer.

Role of imaging and biopsy to assess local recurrence after definitive treatment for prostate carcinoma (surgery, radiotherapy, cryotherapy, HIFU)

PURPOSE

Defining the site of recurrent disease early after definitive treatment for a localized prostate cancer is a critical issue as it may greatly influence the subsequent therapeutic strategy or patient management.

METHODS

A systematic review of the literature was performed by searching Medline from January 1995 up to January 2011. Electronic searches were limited to the English language, and the keywords prostate cancer, radiotherapy [RT], high intensity focused ultrasound [HIFU], cryotherapy [CRIO], transrectal ultrasound [TRUS], magnetic resonance [MRI], PET/TC, and prostate biopsy were used.

RESULTS

Despite the fact that diagnosis of a local recurrence is based on PSA values and kinetics, imaging by means of different techniques may be a prerequisite for effective disease management. Unfortunately, prostate cancer local recurrences are very difficult to detect by TRUS and conventional imaging that have shown limited accuracy at least at early stages. On the contrary, functional and molecular imaging such as dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI (DCE-MRI), and diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI), offers the possibility of imaging molecular or cellular processes of individual tumors. Recently, PET/CT, using 11C-choline, 18F-fluorocholine or 11C-acetate has been successfully proposed in detecting local recurrences as well as distant metastases. Nevertheless, in controversial cases, it is necessary to perform a biopsy of the prostatic fossa or a biopsy of the prostate to assess the presence of a local recurrence under guidance of MRI or TRUS findings.

CONCLUSION

It is likely that imaging will be extensively used in the future to detect and localize prostate cancer local recurrences before salvage treatment.

The evolution of imaging in advanced prostate cancer

Medical advances will be driven by the enhancement of imaging for diagnosis, refinement of treatment, and evaluation of treatment efficacy. The convergence of technology in materials science, biology, and the computer industry has greatly advanced diagnostic imaging. Precision in control of the spatial and temporal properties of light and its heterogeneous scattering properties have extended our capability for imaging. Refinements in radioimmunoscintigraphy for image acquisition, fusion of images, and outcome data now suggest use for image-guided therapy. Novel MRI agents appear to provide significant imaging capabilities to detect malignant lymph nodes. Future applications of optical coherence tomography, electron paramagnetic resonance imaging, nanotechnology, molecular imaging, and hyperspectral spectroscopy promise further refinements to image tissues for diagnosis.

11C-acetate positron emission tomography imaging and image fusion with computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging in patients with recurrent prostate cancer

PURPOSE

To assess the clinical value of computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) image fusion with 11C-acetate (AC) positron emission tomography (PET) imaging for detection and exact location of clinically occult recurrences.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Fifty prostate cancer patients with elevated/increasing serum prostate-specific antigen levels after radical therapy underwent whole-body AC PET. Uptake was initially interpreted as normal, abnormal, or equivocal. In case of abnormal or equivocal uptake, additional conventional imaging techniques, such as CT, MRI, and bone scans, were performed. To precisely define the anatomic location of abnormal uptake and to improve characterization of equivocal lesions, a software-assisted image fusion (CT-PET, MRI-PET) was performed and evaluated as site-by-site analysis of 51 abnormal (n = 37) or equivocal (n = 14) sites of all 50 patients. In 17 patients, additional histopathologic evaluation was available.

RESULTS

In five (10%), 13 (26%), and 32 (64%) of the 50 patients, AC PET studies demonstrated AC uptake judged as normal, equivocal, and abnormal, respectively. Image fusion changed characterization of equivocal lesions as normal in five (10%) of 51 sites and abnormal in nine (18%) of 51 sites. It precisely defined the anatomic location of abnormal uptake in 37 (73%) of 51 sites. AC PET findings did influence patient management in 14 (28%) of 50 patients.

CONCLUSION

Retrospective fusion of AC PET and CT/MRI is feasible and seems to be essential for final diagnosis. This is particularly true in patients with AC uptake in the prostate region.

External beam radiotherapy as curative treatment of prostate cancer

External beam radiotherapy (RT) has been used as a curative treatment of prostate cancer for more than 5 decades, with the "modern" era emerging more than 3 decades ago. Its history is marked by gradual improvements punctuated by several quantum leaps that are increasingly driven by advancements in the computer and imaging sciences and by its integration with complementary forms of treatment. Consequently, the contemporary use of external beam RT barely resembles its earliest form, and this must be appreciated in the context of current patient care. The influence of predictive factors on the use and outcomes of external beam RT is presented, as is a selected review of the methods and outcomes of external beam RT as a single therapeutic intervention, in association with androgen suppression, or as a postoperative adjunct. Thus, the "state of the (radiotherapeutic) art" is presented to enhance the understanding of this treatment approach with the hope that this information will serve as a useful resource to physicians as they care for patients with prostate cancer.

Pattern of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) failure dictates the probability of a positive bone scan in patients with an increasing PSA after radical prostatectomy

PURPOSE

Physicians often order periodic bone scans (BS) to check for metastases in patients with an increasing prostate-specific antigen (PSA; biochemical recurrence [BCR]) after radical prostatectomy (RP), but most scans are negative. We studied patient characteristics to build a predictive model for a positive scan.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

From our prostate cancer database we identified all patients with detectable PSA after RP. We analyzed the following features at the time of each bone scan for association with a positive BS: preoperative PSA, time to BCR, pathologic findings of the RP, PSA before the BS (trigger PSA), PSA kinetics (PSA doubling time, PSA slope, and PSA velocity), and time from BCR to BS. The results were incorporated into a predictive model.

RESULTS

There were 414 BS performed in 239 patients with BCR and no history of androgen deprivation therapy. Only 60 (14.5%) were positive for metastases. In univariate analysis, preoperative PSA (P = .04), seminal vesicle invasion (P = .02), PSA velocity (P < .001), and trigger PSA (P < .001) predicted a positive BS. In multivariate analysis, only PSA slope (odds ratio [OR], 2.71; P = .03), PSA velocity (OR, 0.93; P = .003), and trigger PSA (OR, 1.022; P < .001) predicted a positive BS. A nomogram for predicting the bone scan result was constructed with an overfit-corrected concordance index of 0.93.

CONCLUSION

Trigger PSA, PSA velocity, and slope were associated with a positive BS. A highly discriminating nomogram can be used to select patients according to their risk for a positive scan. Omitting scans in low-risk patients could reduce substantially the number of scans ordered.

Factors affecting bone mineral density in patients with prostate carcinoma before and after orchidectomy

BACKGROUND

Orchidectomy is an accepted form of androgen-deprivation therapy (ADT) for prostate carcinoma. Osteoporosis is common in elderly individuals and is accelerated by ADT. The authors studied changes in bone mineral density (BMD) after ADT and factors that affected those changes.

METHODS

Fifty patients with prostatic adenocarcinoma who opted to undergo orchidectomy were studied prospectively. All patients completed 6 months of follow-up, and 20 of those patients completed 12 months of follow-up. Patients' age, weight, height, body mass index (BMI), physical activity, addiction (smoking, alcohol), dietary calcium intake, and lactose tolerance status were noted. Lumbar spinal (L1-L3) trabecular BMD was measured with quantitative computed tomography (QCT) at baseline and every 6 months for 1 year and was compared with preoperative values. The effects of various patient characteristics on preoperative BMD and changes in BMD also were analyzed.

RESULTS

The mean +/- standard deviation (SD) age of the patients was 69.5 +/- 8.1 years, BMI was 23.5 +/- 3.9 kg/m2, dietary calcium intake was 1066.1 +/- 443.3 mg per day. Thirty-eight percent of patients were lactose intolerant. Sixty-two percent of patients were in the light weight-bearing activity group. The mean +/- SD preoperative BMD was 119.2 +/- 34.9 mg/cc, with T-scores of - 1.77 +/- 1.22 and Z-scores of 0.43 +/- 1.27. A decrease in BMD during the first 6 months ( approximately 13%) was statistically significant (P = 0.0001) and continued further during next 6 months (BMD loss of approximately 18% at 12 months). Patients with osteoporosis, as defined by T-scores < or = - 2.5, increased from 24% at baseline to 48% at 6 months. Nonsmokers, nonalcoholics, patients with higher physical activity, and patients with a BMI > 25 kg/m2 had statistically significant higher BMD compared with their counterparts (P < 0.05). Body weight < 60 kg and BMI < 25 kg/m2 were significant risk factors for loss of BMD (P < 0.05). Dietary calcium had a discernible but statistically insignificant effect on BMD (P = 0.16). Lactose intolerance had no significant effect on BMD or bone loss.

CONCLUSIONS

Osteoporosis was common in the population affected by prostate carcinoma. Orchidectomy led to accelerated bone loss. Periodic measurement of BMD after ADT would help in the early detection of osteoporosis. Maintenance of high BMI, weight-bearing physical activity, avoidance of alcohol and smoking, and possibly high dietary calcium intake help in maintaining bone mass.

Markers and meaning of primary treatment failure

BCR is the most clinically used endpoint for identification of treatment failure. Approximately 15% to 53% of patients undergoing primary curative therapy will develop BCR. BCR often precedes clinically detectable recurrence by years. It does not necessarily translate directly into PCa morbidity and mortality, nor does it always reflect the desired endpoint. Furthermore, it has not been validated as a surrogate endpoint, in that interventions that have been shown to alter the PSA level have not been shown to also alter survival. The utility of PSA level as a surrogate endpoint is brought into question by the knowledge that the overall survival rate of patients at 10 years is similar in patients with and without BCR, and that in a significant proportion of men, the only evidence of disease during their lifetime will be a detectable PSA level. The likelihood of developing BCR post-therapy can be predicted by using multiple clinical and pathologic variables. With the development of nomograms that incorporate several markers, the accuracy of prediction has improved. Until recently, the natural history of BCR post-RRP has not been well understood. Pound et al showed the heterogenous and prolonged natural history of BCR. In this large series of men with BCR following RRP, only 34% of men developed metastatic disease. The median time from development of BCR to identification of metastases was 8 years, and the median time from the development of metastatic disease to death was just under 5 years. These data highlight the extremely variable and potentially indolent nature of BCR. The risk of metastatic disease following BCR has been relatively well defined and relates to PSADT and time to PSA recurrence. It generally is accepted that a PSADT of less than 6 to 10 months and a time to PSA recurrence of less than 1 to 2 years relates to a higher risk of developing metastatic disease. Local recurrence, however, remains poorly understood with respect to its true incidence, clinical significance, and natural history. The significance of BCR post-RT remains unclear due to the lack of data on its natural history. Attempts have been made to identify patients at high risk for metastatic progression by looking at time to PSA recurrence and PSADT. A PSADT of less than 6 to 12 months and a time to PSA recurrence of less than 12 months reflects a higher risk of developing metastatic disease. Accurate risk stratification by means of an algorithm similar to that produced by Pound et al has not been performed on a large cohort, thus making risk assessment for an individual patient difficult. The major dilemma for clinicians in the management of BCR is the identification of the site of disease recurrence, which ultimately guides therapy decisions. Clinicopathologic features allow for risk stratification for recurrence, and multiple investigations have attempted to localize the site of recurrence. Time to biochemical progression, Gleason score, and PSADT are predictive of the probability and time to development of metastatic disease, and allow for stratification of patients into different risk groups (see Table 2). TRUS, CT, PET, and DRE all have limited utility in the identification of local recurrence. ProstaScint and MRI have demonstrated encouraging initial results: however, they require further investigation. Bone scintigraphy is of little value for the initial investigation of BCR. In patients with a PSA level of less than 10 ng/mL, the risk of having a positive bone scan is less than 1% and, until the PSA level rises above 40 ng/mL, the risk of having a positive bone scan is less than 5%. Therefore, bone scintigraphy should be reserved for patients with a PSA level greater than 10 to 20 ng/mL or patients with a rapidly rising PSA level. Using new MRI sequences, there is some evidence that MRI is better for the detection of bony metastatic disease; however, this technique requires further investigation. BCR causes anxiety for the patient and the treating doctor, because the best way to manage patients with PSA-only progression is unknown. Currently, there are no validated treatment recommendations for the management of BCR. The information in this review provides the framework for assignment of patients into clinical trials based on different risk categories. Patients at high risk for metastatic progression could be identified early and thus entered into appropriate clinical trials for systemic therapies. Similarly, patients with a low risk of progression could be placed into observation protocols, potentially sparing them from exhaustive and inappropriate investigations.

Limited value of bone scintigraphy and computed tomography in assessing biochemical failure after radical prostatectomy

OBJECTIVES

To define the utility of bone scan and computed tomography (CT) in the evaluation of patients with biochemical recurrence after radical prostatectomy.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis of the Center for Prostate Disease Research database was undertaken to identify patients who underwent radical prostatectomy between 1989 and 1998. Patients who developed biochemical recurrence (two prostate-specific antigen [PSA] levels greater than 0.2 ng/mL) and underwent either bone scan or CT within 3 years of this recurrence were selected for analysis. The preoperative clinical parameters, pathologic findings, serum PSA levels, follow-up data, and radiographic results were reviewed.

RESULTS

One hundred thirty-two patients with biochemical recurrence and a bone scan or CT scan were identified. Of the 127 bone scans, 12 (9.4%) were positive. The patients with true-positive bone scans had an average PSA at the time of the bone scan of 61.3 +/- 71.2 ng/mL (range 1.3 to 123). Their PSA velocities, calculated from the PSA levels determined immediately before the radiographic studies, averaged 22.1 +/- 24.7 ng/mL/mo (range 0.14 to 60.0). Only 2 patients with a positive bone scan had a PSA velocity of less than 0.5 ng/mL/mo. Of the 86 CT scans, 12 (14.0%) were positive. On logistic regression analysis, PSA and PSA velocity predicted the bone scan result (P <0.001 each) and PSA velocity predicted the CT scan result (P = 0.047).

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with biochemical recurrence after radical prostatectomy have a low probability of a positive bone scan (9.4%) or a positive CT scan (14.0%) within 3 years of biochemical recurrence. Most patients with a positive bone scan have a high PSA level and a high PSA velocity (greater than 0.5 ng/mL/mo).

Do impalpable stage T1c prostate cancers visible on ultrasound differ from those not visible?

PURPOSE

We assessed whether the appearance of cancer within the prostate on sonography is associated with different pathological features and/or prognoses compared with nonvisible impalpable cancers defined as stage T1c by the TNM staging system.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We analyzed the clinical and pathological features, and progression rate in 323 patients with clinical stage T1cNX M0 cancer treated with radical prostatectomy between 1983 and 1998. Mean followup was 46.8 months (range 1 to 186).

RESULTS

Of 323 impalpable stage T1c cancers 170 (53%) were visible and the remainder was not visible on ultrasound. There were no significant differences in clinical or pathological features of the cancers in these 2 groups. The prostate specific antigen nonprogression rate at 5 years was also similar for patients with impalpable cancer regardless of whether the lesion was or was not revealed by ultrasound (mean +/- SE 87% +/- 6% and 91% +/- 6%, respectively, p = 0.3767). Of the 170 visible cancers 55 patients had a hypoechoic lesion considered highly suspicious for cancer. These cancers were higher grade, more extensive, less likely to be confined to the prostate and the prognosis was significantly worse than that of impalpable cancer whether or not they were visible at a less suspicious level (IV or less, p = 0.011). However, such highly suspicious visible cancers are rarely visualized today. Initial serum prostate specific antigen more accurately predicts the pathological stage of impalpable cancer than transrectal ultrasound results.

CONCLUSIONS

Impalpable cancers currently detected have similar pathological features and prognoses whether or not they are visible by ultrasound. Therefore, it is reasonable to categorize impalpable cancers as stage T1c and analyze the response to treatment regardless of the results of ultrasound.

National Comprehensive Cancer Network guidelines for the management of prostate cancer

Guidelines for the management of prostate cancer issued by the National Comprehensive Cancer Network provide a basis for rational treatment decisions. These guidelines represent consensus recommendations by a panel of experts that are evidence based and are designated according to the degree of consensus within the expert panel. The initial stratification point is the patient's life expectancy (>5 or <5 years). If life expectancy is >5 years, the recommended intervention is based on clinical stage, prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level, and Gleason score, as well as the presence of symptoms. These assessments establish the patient's risk of recurrence after therapy. Specific initial therapies are then recommended according to whether the risk category is low, intermediate, high, or very high. The guidelines also describe the appropriate use of observation ("watchful waiting") versus active intervention in certain patients. After definitive therapy, patients should be monitored with PSA determinations, digital rectal examination, and bone scans, as outlined in the guidelines. Patients who exhibit increasing PSA levels after prostatectomy are candidates for salvage therapy with androgen ablation, radiotherapy, or observation. If PSA levels begin to increase after radiotherapy, surgery may then be an additional option. Systemic salvage therapy generally consists of androgen ablation; the benefit of total androgen blockade versus initial monotherapy remains controversial. Relapse after initial androgen ablation is treated with an antiandrogen, if none had been administered previously. Patients refractory to further hormonal manipulations are observed or receive palliative therapy, including chemotherapy. The treatment of prostate cancer is complex. Optimal treatment is risk-adapted to the specific characteristics of the cancer and the expected longevity and personal preferences of the patient.

Molecular Markers in Prostate Cancer: The Role in Preoperative Staging

Radical prostatectomy as a primary treatment for clinically localized prostate cancer has increased dramatically over the past decade due to prostate-specific antigen (PSA) screening and the awareness of the increased incidence of localized disease. Despite the stage migration to increase clinically localized disease, there are still vast numbers of men who harbor occult extraprostatic extension and develop recurrence after surgery. The study of molecular markers in the blood or tissue of surgical patients prior to treatment, called " molecular staging, " is the focus of this review. The reverse transcriptase- polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test for PSA gene expression in peripheral blood or bone marrow has received considerable attention since its first report in 1992. The test detects messenger RNA species for prostate-specific/abundant genes such as PSA and prostate-specific membrane antigen. These messenger RNAs were not detected in normal blood or bone marrow, but were detected in some prostate cancer patients presumably due to circulating prostatic epithelial cells. These prostate epithelial cells are thought to be occult metastases cells, and early studies correlated a positive RT-PCR test with surgical pathology adverse features such as positive margins. Despite the many studies over the past few years, there have been inconsistent results, and the most recent studies have not been able to confirm clinical utility. Bone marrow RT-PCR has been more promising; however, it is still a research tool that needs further study. The study of molecular markers in tissue material, ie, prostate biopsy samples prior to radical prostatectomy, is problematic due to the sampling error inherent in a multifocal heterogeneous tumor such as prostate cancer. The tumor suppressor proteins p53 and p27, Bcl-2 oncoprotein, Ki-67 proliferation index protein, E-cadherin, and microvessel density have been assessed in preradical prostatectomy needle biopsy. Results have been conflicting, and none are yet accepted as a clinically useful marker. Current and future work is focusing on analysis of multiple gene expressions or proteins simultaneously via gene chip or proteomics technology. While these expression profiles might be of value in whole prostate surgical specimens where tissues are well characterized, it is unclear how this new technology will be applied to the needle biopsy samples. Although molecular staging of radical prostatectomy patients has been under study for a decade, all assays remain research tools. Still, this area holds great promise for improving the accuracy of staging and providing a more accurate prognosis of individual men with clinically localized prostate cancer.

The role of imaging studies and molecular markers for selecting candidates for radical prostatectomy

For the typical patient who has newly diagnosed prostate cancer, clinically organ-confined disease of moderate grade, and a PSA less than 10 ng/mL, the current role of imaging studies and molecular biomarkers is limited. Bone scans are not necessary for newly diagnosed men with a PSA less than 10 ng/mL in the absence of bone pain. Similarly, abdominal and pelvic CT scanning rarely provides any useful diagnostic or staging information when the PSA is less the 20 ng/mL and is indicated rarely. Endorectal coil MR imaging adds staging information for patients with a PSA between 10 and 20 ng/mL, a Gleason score of 7 or less, and 50% or more positive biopsies on a sextant sampling. Indium 111 capromab pendetide scanning (ProstaScint) is FDA-approved to evaluate newly diagnosed patients at high risk for metastases. These patients have a Gleason score of 7 or greater and a PSA greater than 20 ng/mL, a Gleason score of 8 to 10 regardless of the PSA value, or clinical stage T3 disease and a Gleason score of 6 or greater. RT-PCR testing of blood or bone marrow for prostate-specific or prostate cancer-specific gene expression, or "molecular staging," is a promising technique whose current use is still investigational. Much useful information may be gained by careful study of prostate needle biopsy material. Aside from current Gleason grading and the number or percentage of cores involved with cancer, no molecular biomarker is approved for clinical use. p27, p53, bcl-2, Ki-67 (MIB-1), and the assessment of neovascularity hold promise, but prospective multicenter studies are needed. In the long-term, multiple gene expression profiling of biopsy material using gene chips may revolutionize the care of patients with prostate cancer and those who elect radical prostatectomy.

The place of radical prostatectomy in the treatment of early localized prostate cancer

Today a number of treatment options exist for men diagnosed with early localized prostate carcinoma, of which the most important are radical prostatectomy, external beam radiotherapy and brachytherapy. New advances in brachytherapy using the implantation of iodine-125 and palladium-103 seeds have significantly altered its place in the treatment of localized disease and provided an alternative to external beam radiotherapy and potentially radical prostatectomy. Drawing on recently published data and our own experiences of retropubic radical prostatectomy in 100 consecutive men with localized disease, we review the place of radical prostatectomy in the treatment of early prostate cancer today. For many urologists radical prostatectomy remains the treatment of choice for men aged 70 years or less, with localized disease, a life expectancy of over 10 years and no co-morbidity. However, this has to be balanced against recent advances in brachytherapy, which now provides a minimally invasive alternative therapy for some patients with organ-confined disease and for those in whom surgery is contraindicated.

Vesicourethral anastomosis biopsy after radical prostatectomy: predictive value of prostate-specific antigen and pathologic stage

OBJECTIVES

To assess the role of clinical parameters and pathologic stage in predicting a positive vesicourethral anastomosis (VUA) biopsy in patients with a rising prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level after radical prostatectomy.

METHODS

Forty-five patients were referred for a rising PSA level after radical prostatectomy. Transrectal ultrasound evaluation included visualization of the VUA and VUA quadrant biopsies. The rate of positive biopsies (per core and per patient) was correlated with race, PSA level, and the radical prostatectomy pathologic stage.

RESULTS

Overall, 53% of patients had a positive biopsy. In multivariate analysis, the dominant independent and synergistic clinical parameters determining positive biopsy rates were a PSA greater than 1 ng/mL at the time of biopsy and the pathologic stage (P = 0.04 and P = 0.02, respectively). Using a PSA cutoff point of 1.0 ng/mL, those patients with organ-confined disease and a PSA of 1.0 ng/mL or less showed no positive cancer cores (low-risk group). Conversely, 89% of patients with extraprostatic extension and a PSA greater than 1.0 ng/mL had a positive biopsy (P <0.01) (high-risk group). Patients with organ-confined disease and a PSA greater than 1.0 ng/mL or extraprostatic extension and a PSA 1.0 ng/mL or less (intermediate-risk group) had a significantly higher chance of having residual cancer than the low-risk group (P <0.025).

CONCLUSIONS

The PSA level at the time of biopsy and the pathologic stage of the radical prostatectomy specimen were the strongest determinants of a positive biopsy. A combination of PSA and pathologic stage is useful for decisions regarding VUA biopsy. Patients with organ-confined disease and a PSA of 1.0 ng/mL or less do not appear to benefit from a VUA biopsy, and patients with extraprostatic extension and a PSA greater than 1.0 ng/mL have such a high probability (89%) of local recurrence at the VUA that biopsy may be unnecessary. It appears that VUA biopsy can be restricted to those patients with an intermediate risk (organ-confined disease with PSA greater than 1 ng/mL or extraprostatic extension with a PSA less than 1 ng/mL).

Is there a role for digital rectal examination in the followup of patients after radical prostatectomy?

PURPOSE

We determine the role of digital rectal examination in the followup of patients after radical prostatectomy.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed data on 501 consecutive patients who underwent radical retropubic prostatectomy between 1992 and 1998, and were followed at the University of Miami. Patients were evaluated at 3 to 6-month intervals after surgery with serum prostate specific antigen (PSA) and digital rectal examination. Biochemical recurrence was defined as PSA greater than 0.2 ng./ml. and increasing on at least 2 consecutive measurements. Local recurrence, detected by an abnormal digital rectal examination, was defined as an induration or nodularity in the prostatic fossa.

RESULTS

Mean followup plus or minus standard deviation was 25.4+/-20.8 months. Disease recurred in 72 patients (14.4%) and was biochemical in all. An abnormal digital rectal examination was noted in 4 patients, none of whom had an undetectable PSA at the time of a palpable abnormality.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results suggest that an abnormal digital rectal examination after radical prostatectomy is always associated with a detectable PSA, which implies that performing a digital rectal examination in the absence of a detectable PSA may not be necessary.

Current followup strategies after radical prostatectomy: a survey of American Urological Association urologists

PURPOSE

Followup care of men who have undergone potentially curative surgical treatment for prostate cancer varies widely among clinicians. To determine current practice patterns we mailed a custom designed questionnaire to American and nonAmerican urologists who were American Urological Association (AUA) members.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Surveys were mailed to a random sample of the approximately 12,000 AUA members, comprising 3,205 Americans and 1,262 nonAmericans. Evaluable surveys were returned by 760 American (24%) and 290 nonAmerican (23%) urologists. Our analysis is based on these 1,050 responses.

RESULTS

In generally healthy patients after radical prostatectomy for stages T1 to 2NOMO and T3a to cNOMO prostate cancer the most frequently recommended followup diagnostic tests included office visit with digital rectal examination, serum prostate specific antigen (PSA) and urinalysis. Although there is appreciable variation in the frequency of use of these methods, respondents generally recommended office visit with digital rectal examination, serum PSA and urinalysis every 3 months in year 1, every 6 months in years 2 to 5 and annually thereafter. Other tests, such as serum prostatic acid phosphatase, bone scan, and abdominal and pelvic computerized tomography and magnetic resonance imaging, are rarely recommended.

CONCLUSIONS

Our survey provides information regarding current followup strategies recommended by AUA urologists after radical prostatectomy for stages T1 to 2NOMO and T3a to cNOMO disease. Office visits and digital rectal examination, urinalysis and PSA measurement are the main tools that urologists currently use. Although optimal strategy remains unknown, these data permit the rational design of clinical trials of alternate followup strategies based on actual current practice to answer this important question.

Clinical Applications of Radioimmunoscintigraphy With Prostate-Specific Antibodies for Prostate Cancer

BACKGROUND: The presence of metastasis is the most important prognostic indicator in patients with prostate carcinoma and is the predominant determinant of therapeutic choices. Current tools for detection of recurrence or metastasis are less than optimal. Recent clinical trials with radiolabeled monoclonal antibodies appear to provide more precise localization of prostate cancer in these clinical circumstances. METHODS: Multicenter national trials of patients at relatively high risk for metastasis at diagnosis and patients with biochemical evidence of recurrence after prostatectomy underwent radioimmunoscintigraphy with capromab pendetide. RESULTS: Tissue confirmation of scan results demonstrated a 15-fold and 4-fold increase in sensitivity over computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging, respectively, for newly diagnosed patients. Preliminary data have shown a 3- to 4-fold increase in durable complete response to radiation therapy in patients with biochemical failure following radical prostatectomy. CONCLUSIONS: Patients at relatively high risk for metastasis at diagnosis and those with biochemical evidence of recurrence after prostatectomy may benefit from radioimmunoscintigraphy.

Evaluation and management of the man who has failed primary curative therapy for prostate cancer

The recurrence of prostate cancer after potentially curative local therapy is becoming a significant urologic problem. There are few prospective randomized trials, and the optimal diagnostic and treatment strategies for men who fail potentially curative therapy are not known. The experience to date seems to suggest the following as a reasonable approach. A detectable serum PSA level (> or = 0.4 ng/mL) after radical prostatectomy is evidence of residual or recurrent prostate cancer. Men with low- or moderate-grade cancers (Gleason score < 7), with capsular penetration, or with positive surgical margins in whom disease recurs more than 2 years after radical prostatectomy with a PSA doubling time greater than 12 months seem likely to harbor a local recurrence and are the only good candidates for salvage therapy. Unless there is a palpable recurrence, transrectal ultrasound and biopsy are generally not recommended, and CT scanning and bone scintigraphy usually do not provide helpful information. The role of monoclonal antibody scanning is currently investigational. Men with high-grade tumors (Gleason score > or = 7) or with seminal vesicle or lymph node involvement in whom disease recurs within 2 years of radical prostatectomy are most appropriately observed or treated with early hormonal therapy. Men who do not achieve a PSA nadir of 0.5 ng/mL or less within 2 years of radiotherapy are very likely to harbor residual disease. For young healthy men who are willing to accept a substantial risk of impotency, urinary incontinence, and bladder neck contractures, salvage radical prostatectomy is a reasonable option if the preradiation tumor characteristics are acceptable (PSA < 10 ng/mL, Gleason score < or = 6) and if the current PSA is less than 10 ng/mL. Salvage cryotherapy may result in substantial morbidity and should only be offered on an investigational basis. Other men failing radiation may be observed or treated with hormonal therapy. There is seldom a role for repeat biopsy. Because the optimal time to begin hormone therapy is still not known, early or delayed treatment are both reasonable options. Testicular androgen ablation by orchiectomy or LHRH agonists is considered standard therapy. Combined therapy with an antiandrogen does not seem to be beneficial for all patients and should not be routinely used. Sexually active men in whom preservation of potency is important can be offered an investigational regimen such as a 5-alpha-reductase inhibitor combined with an oral antiandrogen or intermittent LHRH agonist therapy. It is hoped that the results of ongoing randomized trials and future research will establish efficient and effective practice guidelines to evaluate and treat men who have failed potentially curative therapy for localized prostate cancer. This remains a very important and controversial topic that will challenge many practicing urologists.

Brachytherapy for clinically localized prostate cancer: results at 7- and 8-year follow-up

In recent years, there has been a resurgence of interest in interstitial radiation as a cost-effective and efficient method of treating organ-confined prostate cancer. We describe our 7- and 8-year results with transperineal Iodine-125 and Palladium-103 implantation. A total of 551 consecutive patients were treated. Of these, 320/551 (58%) received implant alone (Group I), and 231/551 (42%)--considered higher risk patients--were also treated with a modest dose (45 Gy) of external beam irradiation (Group II). The median follow-up for Group I was 55 months, and for Group II, 60 months. At 7 years, the actuarial freedom from biochemical failure (prostate-specific antigen (PSA) < or = 1.0 ng/mL) was 80% in Group I patients, and, at 8 years, 65% in Group II patients. Morbidity was minimal if patients had not undergone prior transurethral prostate resections. The results indicate that interstitial radiation is a valid treatment for clinically localized prostate cancer.

Disease recurrence and progression in untreated pathologic stage T3 prostate cancer: selecting the patient for adjuvant therapy

PURPOSE

Optimal management of pathologic T3 prostate cancer is poorly defined. We conducted a prospective study of untreated pT3 patients to improve understanding of the natural history of this disease and to identify clinical parameters useful in patient selection for adjuvant therapy.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Of 583 consecutive patients with clinical stage T1 to 2 disease managed by total prostatectomy, 206 had pT3 disease. Excluding patients requesting immediate adjuvant treatment or neoadjuvant therapy, 156 subjects were eligible for the study, including 34 with pT3a, 80 pT3b, 22 pT3c, and 20 pT3N+ disease. Patients were followed for prostate-specific antigen (PSA) recurrence of greater than 0.2 ng./ml. and biopsy proved local or distant tumor progression demonstrated by imaging studies.

RESULTS

After a median of 45 months, PSA recurrence was seen in 29.4% of pT3a (10/34), 30% of pT3b (24/80), 27.3% of pT3c (6/22), and 80% of pT3N+ (16/20 cases). Local or distant progression was seen in 2.9% of pT3a (1), 6.2% of pT3b (5), 9.1% of pT3c (2), and 55% of pT3N+ (11 cases). Recurrence and progression correlated with the number of surgical margins involved by tumor, pathological Gleason score and baseline pre-prostatectomy PSA levels. PSA recurrence was seen in 20.8% (10/48) patients with 1 surgical margin involved, 40.9% (9/22) with 2 margins involved and 50% (5/10) with 3 or more margins involved. PSA recurrence was 20.3% (14/69) with Gleason scores of less than 7, 33.9% (19/56) with a score of 7 and 74.2% (23/31) with scores of greater than 7. Pre-prostatectomy PSA levels less than 10 ng./ml. were associated with a PSA recurrence of 17.3% (14/81) and 45.4% (25/55), with levels greater than 10 ng./ml. Selecting patients for high or low risk based upon the results of these parameters allowed accurate prediction of PSA recurrence; 8.5% (4/47) for low risk patients and 44.8% (30/67) for high risk. Tumor progression was seen in no low risk patient and in 9% (6) with high risk. The difference between the 2 risk groups was highly significant (p <0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS

The majority of patients with pT3 prostate cancer will not experience recurrent disease for many years if ever. Immediate use of adjuvant treatment should be reserved for those patients with a high risk of recurrent disease.

Sensitivity of computed tomography in detecting local recurrence of prostatic carcinoma following radical prostatectomy

The aim of this study was to evaluate CT imaging in the post-operative follow-up and in the detection of recurrence after radical prostatectomy in cases of prostatic carcinoma. In over 500 patients undergoing radical prostatectomy for prostatic carcinoma, 22 cases with local recurrence were found. CT examinations of the pelvis were retrospectively evaluated in these patients. Local recurrence was detected by PSA uptake and confirmed by transrectal ultrasound (TRUS) in combination with guided biopsy. In 22 cases of confirmed local recurrence, positive results on CT were found in eight patients (36%) and negative results in nine patients (41%). In the remaining five cases (23%), no distinction could be made between scar and local recurrence. All cases definitively classified as recurrent tumour disease showed a soft tissue mass of 2 cm or more. CT sensitivity in local recurrence of prostatic carcinoma after surgery is low. Even in a very careful follow-up, the understaging would be up to 41%. In comparison, PSA, TRUS and needle biopsy are the methods of choice and are superior to CT imaging. Based on these results, there would be no reason for including pelvic CT examinations in the follow-up of prostatic carcinoma after radical prostatectomy.

Assessment of endpoints for clinical trials for localized prostate cancer

OBJECTIVES

The AUA Practice Guidelines Panel convened to address the issue of appropriate endpoints for assessment of treatment modalities for localized carcinoma of the prostate.

METHODS

A review of the literature and the design of existing clinical trials produced a consensus, which was presented to and critiqued by the members of the general conference.

RESULTS

The pitfalls associated with identification of local failure endpoints were discussed, and the more accurate endpoints of freedom from metastatic progression and overall survival were recognized. The strict definition that must be fulfilled for intermediate endpoints to become surrogates for metastasis free and/or survival endpoints was stressed. For more efficient and rapid conduct of future clinical trials, the urgent need to validate such surrogate endpoints by evaluation in randomized control trials is obvious. PSA, while an indicator of disease activity and a critical marker for estimating disease progression or regression in response to therapy, is not a surrogate for metastasis free or overall survival.

CONCLUSION

Until surrogate endpoints are validated, the committee has evaluated the endpoints in current use, reviewed their limitations, and stressed the importance of quality-of-life assessment together with the traditional endpoint assessment.

Treatment options for localized recurrence of prostate cancer following radiation therapy

Patients with radioresistant clinically localized prostate cancer may be treated by various means. Although androgen ablation is relatively noninvasive, it cannot be considered a curative option. We believe that a subset of patients with locally recurrent prostate cancer without subclinical metastatic disease exists and would benefit from maximally aggressive local therapy. Salvage surgery may offer long-term cancer control, particularly when the tumor is organ-confined, but is a technically challenging operation with a high incidence of postoperative incontinence. Cryoablation of the prostate for postirradiation recurrence may offer a less invasive alternative to radical surgery, but its long-term efficacy remains to be fully determined. Each therapeutic option has its characteristic attendant morbidity and the choice of therapy for local recurrence should be made with informed consent after frank discussion between physician and patient. We propose the treatment algorithm shown in Figure 1 for the management of patients with suspected recurrence after radiation therapy with the caveat that individual therapeutic strategies must be patterned around individual patient needs.

Local recurrence after radical prostatectomy: characteristics in size, location, and relationship to prostate-specific antigen and surgical margins

OBJECTIVES

To define the sonographic characteristics of local cancer recurrence after radical prostatectomy.

METHODS

in 114 patients with an elevated prostate-specific antigen (PSA) and negative bone scan, 156 ultrasound-guided prostate fossa biopsies were carried out.

RESULTS

in 53.5%, biopsy proved local recurrence. More than one ultrasound-guided biopsy session was required to make the diagnosis in 33% of patients. Local recurrence was seen on ultrasound at the anastomotic site (66%), the bladder neck (16%), and posterior to the trigone (13%). in 5% of patients there was a normal-appearing anastomotic site. Transrectal ultrasound was greater than 90% sensitive in detecting local recurrence, but lacked specificity. Examination of the radical prostatectomy specimens in patients with local recurrence showed positive surgical margins in 66% and organ-confined disease in 20%.

CONCLUSIONS

Transrectal ultrasonography is a useful adjunct to PSA and digital rectal examination in the detection of local recurrences following radical prostatectomy.