Stage D1 adenocarcinoma of prostate

The history and anatomy of urologic lymphadenectomy

The history of urologic lymphadenectomy is rich and diverse. Our current understanding of its use and benefits is a product of the hard work of numerous physicians and scientists from many nations. Standard dissection templates for the various urologic malignancies are based on a complete understanding of the anatomy of the lymphatic system, which has developed immensely since Hippocrates first described the white blood of the lymphatic system while performing an axillary dissection. It is hoped that the next 100 years will bring even greater comprehension of its value and utility.

Current status of lymph node-positive prostate cancer: Incidence and predictors of outcome

In early surgical series, the incidence of positive lymph nodes in patients with prostate cancer was approximately 40%. In the modern era of screening and improved patient selection, the incidence is now <10%, although most series excluded patients with higher risk disease. The risk of having positive lymph nodes is influenced by disease stage, prostate-specific antigen level, and tumor grade and by the aggressiveness of lymph node dissection. Many of the same factors predict the outcome of these patients. Although the percentage of patients with positive lymph nodes has declined, there remain significant numbers of patients with lymph node-positive prostate cancer, and it remains a therapeutic dilemma.

Radiation therapy for prostate cancer confined to pelvis

To evaluate the usefulness of external beam radiotherapy for patients with prostate cancer confined to the pelvis, long-term results and prognostic factors were analyzed. During the period 1975-1989, 44 cases were treated with staging pelvic lymphadenectomy followed by monotherapy using external beam irradiation by Linac X-ray and/or fast neutrons and observed without any treatment until relapse was evident. All patients were followed until death or for a mean of 78.6 mo (range: 36-113 mo) for patients still alive. Four cases died of prostate cancer at 26, 28, 54, and 83 mo from the start of radiation. Eleven cases died of other causes (10-72 mo, mean 36.4 mo). Fourteen cases (31.8%) manifested clinical relapse of cancer; 4 had local relapse, 7 developed bone metastases, and 3 relapsed at lymph nodes. After relapse, endocrine therapy was effective in most cases. The five-year disease-free survival rates of pN0 (32 cases) and pN1 (8 cases) patients were 79.8% and 52.5%, respectively, but that of pN2 (4 cases) was worse. Cause-specific survival was similar between patients with pN0 and pN1 disease, the rate at 5 yr being 92.5% in the former and 100% in the latter. Those with high levels of serum prostate specific antigen (PSA) before treatment and advanced local disease (clinical stage C) showed unfavorable prognoses. The number of argyrophilic nucleolar organizer regions (AgNORs) might be a predictive factor in patients treated with irradiation. In conclusion, prostate cancer patients with stage A2-C, diagnosed as pN0-1 by staging pelvic lymphadenectomy, were successfully treated with external beam radiotherapy.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Prognostic significance of extent of nodal involvement in stage D1 prostate cancer treated with radiotherapy

The records of 107 patients with newly diagnosed adenocarcinoma of the prostate irradiated with curative intent at Duke University Medical Center from 1970 through 1983 were reviewed. Forty patients (37%) underwent standard bilateral pelvic lymph node dissection (PLND) prior to beginning irradiation. Twenty-four patients (22%) were found to have pelvic nodal metastases (Stage D1). Those found to have a single microscopically positive node at PLND may be curable with irradiation. In contrast, those with more extensive nodal metastases appear to be incurable with radiotherapy. Additional studies are needed to confirm or refute these findings.

The value of testosterone deprivation in stage D1 carcinoma of the prostate

The question of whether hormonal manipulation is effective in the treatment of stage D1 carcinoma of the prostate has yet to be determined conclusively. To study this question a retrospective review was conducted of 68 patients with stage D1 disease. Of the patients 22 underwent immediate orchiectomy, 24 delayed orchiectomy and 11 exogenous antiandrogen treatment (8 immediate and 3 delayed treatment), and 11 had no androgen deprivation. The patients were placed into 2 groups consisting of those receiving immediate hormonal deprivation (30) and those having treatment at the time of bone metastasis or who are as yet untreated (38). The minimum followup was 60 months. The median interval to progression to bone metastasis was 43 months in the delayed treatment group compared to 100 months in the immediate hormonal deprivation group. This difference was statistically significant (p equals 0.0087). Likewise, the median period from diagnosis to death was 90 months in the delayed treatment group and 150 months in the immediate treatment group. This difference was not significant (p equals 0.1110). Thus, orchiectomy or adequate androgen deprivation from our data significantly prolongs the interval to bone metastasis in patients with metastatic prostate cancer limited to the pelvic lymph nodes. The apparent increased length of survival of the immediate treatment group lacks statistical confirmation.

Prognostic significance of nodal involvement in locally advanced (stage C) carcinoma of prostate--RTOG experience

A total of 500 patients with extracapsular extension (clinical Stage C) carcinoma of the prostate received definitive radiotherapy directed to the prostate and the regional lymphatics. Pretreatment evaluation of the regional lymphatics was optional and was done in 245 patients who underwent either staging laparotomy or lymphangiography. The remaining 255 patients had no nodal evaluation. In 72 of the node-evaluated patients there was evidence of spread to the pelvic lymphatics and in 173 patients lymph nodes were negative. The three populations (lymph nodes-not evaluated, lymph nodes-involved, and lymph nodes-not involved) were analyzed as to the distribution of the recognized prognostic variables and compared as to the study end points (locoregional failure, incidence of distant metastases, disease-free survival, and survival).

Definitive radiotherapy in resectable (stage A2 and B) carcinoma of the prostate--results of a nationwide overview

To evaluate the efficacy of definitive radiotherapy in a population of patients with carcinoma of the prostate who satisfy the customary selection criteria for radical prostatectomy, a nation-wide search was conducted. The assessed population consists of patients with clinical Stage A2 and B carcinoma of the prostate, negative staging lymphadenectomy, negative bone scan, and normal serum acid phosphatase. The search included patients from Stanford University, Washington University in St. Louis, those participating in the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group and a broad range of radiotherapy practices surveyed by the PCS (Patterns of Care Study). A total of 209 patients satisfying the selection criteria received definitive radiotherapy during the surveyed period. The end-point of analysis was the time to progression (distant metastases). The results of the analysis indicate a very low (less than 10%) probability of progression within the first 5 years after completion of treatment. Contrary to the recent report from the VA Uro-Oncology Group the study demonstrates a comparable outcome in radiotherapeutically and surgically treated patients.

Prognostic factors in carcinoma of the prostate--analysis of RTOG study 75-06

A total of 566 evaluable patients were accessioned to a phase III RTOG study of extended field irradiation in carcinoma of the prostate from 1976 to 1983. Eligible patients were those with locally advanced disease, either clinical Stage C or clinical Stage A2 or B with pelvic lymph node involvement. The treatment consisted of irradiation of the regional lymphatics followed by a boost to the prostate. The data have been analyzed extensively to identify variables of potential prognostic significance. The assessed factors include tumor size, clinical stage, the degree of histological differentiation, nodal status, serum acid phosphatase status, hormonal management status, age, and race. These factors have been assessed as to their interdependence and correlation with the clinical course (study endpoints) using univariate analyses and Cox's Regression model. Significant interdependence of tumor size and Gleason score and tumor size and acid phosphatase was identified. The population receiving hormonal management either prior to or during radiotherapy had a significantly higher proportion of high grade tumors. Correlation of the assessed variables and the study endpoints (local control, incidence of distant metastases, NED survival, survival) singled out the degree of histological differentiation as the most powerful prognostic factor for all the endpoints. Age proved a useful predictor of local control (younger patients failed at a significantly higher rate), as did tumor size. Elevation of serum acid phosphatase correlated well with the incidence of metastatic disease but was not a useful predictor of survival. Tumor size and hormonal management status correlated well with the incidence of metastatic disease but only when analyzed separately from other factors. Their prognostic value was absent when Cox regression analysis was applied. Nodal status did not correlate well with any of the study endpoints, indicating then that in patients with clinical Stage C disease, treated with definitive radiotherapy to the prostate and regional lymphatics, this parameter may have limited prognostic usefulness. Although patients who received concomitant hormonal management had a significantly higher proportion of high grade lesions, their clinical course fared favorably in comparison with the population not receiving concomitant hormonal management. This may indicate a beneficial effect of adjuvant hormonal treatment which needs to be tested in a prospective study.

Extended field (periaortic) irradiation in carcinoma of the prostate--analysis of RTOG 75-06

From 1976 to 1983 the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group conducted a study of extended field (periaortic) irradiation in carcinoma of the prostate. Eligible patients were those with clinical Stage C tumor with or without evidence of pelvic lymph node involvement and also those with Stage A-2 and B with evidence of pelvic lymph node involvement. The stratification criteria included histological grade, clinical stage, absence or presence of hormonal manipulation, and method of lymph node evaluation (lymphangiogram vs. laparotomy vs. no nodal evaluation). The patients were randomized to either receive pelvic irradiation followed by a boost to the prostate or pelvic and periaortic irradiation followed by a boost to the prostate. The prescribed daily dose was 180-200 rad to a total midplane dose to the regional lymphatics to 4000-4500 rad. The prostatic boost target volume was to receive additional 2000-2500 rad bringing the total dose to that area to a minimum of 6500 rad. A total of 523 analyzable patients have been accessioned to the protocol. Four hundred forty-eight of these are known to have received treatment per protocol. Median follow-up is 4 years and 3 months. The analyzable patients were evaluated for the incidence of distant metastases, NED survival and survival as a function of treatment arm. No statistically significant differences between the treatment arms could be documented. Similarly, no significant difference between treatment arms could be documented within a number of subpopulations such as those characterized by a particular grade, hormonal status, stage, age, acid phosphatase level, etc. The results of the study revealed no apparent benefit of elective periaortic irradiation in patients with detectable disease confined to the pelvis.

Treatment of advanced cancer of the prostate

Advanced cancer of the prostate may be either locally advanced or distant. Staging methods available to define the extent of the disease are relatively imprecise; non-invasive methods rely on tumour markers and radioisotopes; invasive methods range from fine needle aspiration to lymph node dissection. Exact definitions of criteria of response to treatment are essential to evaluate different forms of treatment. Primary treatment of metastatic disease is based on hormone manipulation. Those who either never respond or relapse after primary treatment may show some response to further hormone therapy but usually require the combination of radiotherapy and analgesia to control their symptoms. The response rates to chemotherapy are disappointing.