Association of Radical Local Treatment with Mortality in Men with Very High-risk Prostate Cancer: A Semiecologic, Nationwide, Population-based Study

Prognosis of Gleason Score 9-10 Prostatic Adenocarcinoma in Needle Biopsies: A Nationwide Population-based Study

BACKGROUND

Since 2014, prostate cancer is reported using five-tier grouping of Gleason scores. Studies have suggested prognostic heterogeneity within the groups.

OBJECTIVE

We assessed the risk of prostate cancer death for men diagnosed with Gleason scores 4 + 5, 5 + 4, and 5 + 5 on needle biopsy in a population-based cohort.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS

We used the data from Prostate Cancer data Base Sweden (PCBaSe) 4.0 for a survival analysis. Among 199 620 men reported to have prostate cancer in 2000-2020, 172 112 were diagnosed on needle biopsy. The primary treatment was classified as androgen deprivation therapy (66%), deferred treatment (5%), radical prostatectomy (7%), or radical radiotherapy (21%).

OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS AND STATISTICAL ANALYSIS

The risks of death from prostate cancer in men with Gleason score 9-10 at 5 and 10 yr were used as endpoints. Multivariable Cox regression models controlling for socioeconomic factors and primary treatment were used for time-to-event analyses of death from prostate cancer and death from any causes.

RESULTS AND LIMITATIONS

A total of 20 419 (12%) men had a Gleason score of 9-10, including Gleason scores of 4 + 5, 5 + 4, and 5 + 5 in 14 333 (70%), 4223 (21%), and 1863 (9%) men, respectively. The risks of prostate cancer death for men with Gleason scores 4 + 5, 5 + 4, and 5 + 5 at 10 yr of follow-up were 0.45 (confidence interval [CI] 0.44-0.46), 0.56 (0.55-0.58), and 0.66 (0.63-0.68), respectively. The risks of death of any cause for men with Gleason scores 4 + 5, 5 + 4, and 5 + 5 at 10 yr were 0.73 (CI 0.72-0.74), 0.81 (0.80-0.83), and 0.87 (0.85-0.89), respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

We demonstrate in the largest and most complete cohort analyzed to date that collapsing the Gleason scores by grouping results in loss of prognostic information in men with Gleason score 9-10 cancer.

PATIENT SUMMARY

Survival of prostate cancer patients with the highest tumor grades varies depending on grade composition.

Definitive local therapy for T4 prostate cancer associated with improved local control and survival

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate patients with clinical (c)T4 prostate cancer (PCa), which represent both a heterogenous and understudied population, who often present with locally advanced disease and obstructive symptoms causing significant morbidity and mortality. We analysed whether receiving definitive local therapy influenced symptomatic and oncological outcomes.

METHODS

Retrospective analysis of 154 patients with cT4 PCa treated at a single institution in 1996-2020. Systemic therapy with or without local treatment (surgery, radiotherapy [RT], or both). Uni- and multivariate analyses of associations between clinicopathological features (including obstructive symptoms) and receipt of local therapy on overall survival (OS) and disease control were done with Cox regression.

RESULTS

The median follow-up time was 5.9 years. Most patients had adenocarcinoma (88%), Gleason score 9-10 (77%), and median baseline prostate-specific antigen (PSA) of 20 ng/mL; most (54%) had metastatic cT4N0-1M1 disease; 24% regionally advanced cT4N1M0, and 22% localised cT4N0M0. Local therapies were RT (n = 44), surgery (n = 28), or both (n = nine). Local therapy was associated with improved OS (hazard ratio [HR] 0.3, P < 0.001), longer freedom from local recurrence (HR 0.39, P = 0.002), less local progression (HR 0.41, P = 0.02), fewer obstructive symptoms with progression (HR 0.31, P = 0.01), and less death from local disease (HR 0.25, P = 0.002). On multivariate, local therapy was associated with improved survival (HR 0.58, P = 0.02), and metastatic disease (HR 2.93, P < 0.001) or high-risk pathology (HR 2.05, P = 0.03) was associated with worse survival.

CONCLUSION

Definitive local therapy for cT4 PCa was associated with improved symptomatic outcomes and survival even among men with metastatic disease. Pending prospective evaluation, these findings support definitive treatment with local therapy for cT4 disease in select cases.

Evaluation of cystoprostatectomy on patients with prostate cancer extending to bladder: a retrospective study from single center

Background

This is an exploratory research of cystoprostatectomy (CP) in treating prostate cancer (PCa) extending to the bladder, which aimed to evaluate the effects of CP on survival outcomes and improving quality of life (QoL) in these patients.

Methods

A total of 27 PCa patients extending to the bladder were subjected to CP and followed up at regular intervals in our center. Prostate cancer-specific survival (PCSS) and prostate-specific antigen recurrence-free survival (PFS) were assessed by Kaplan–Meier analysis. Multivariate Cox regression was performed to evaluate clinical characteristics predicting survivals. QoL and pelvic symptoms were also evaluated.

Results

Median PCSS was not reached over the period of follow-up. 5-year PCSS rate was 82.1%. Median PFS was 66.0 months. 5-year PFS rate was 58.5%. Multivariate analysis showed Gleason score (≥ 8) (hazard ratio (HR) 2.55, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.28–4.04, p = 0.033), positive local lymph node status (HR 3.52, 95% CI 1.57–7.38, p = 0.006) and bladder muscle-invasion (HR 4.75, 95% CI 1.37–7.53, p < 0.001) were independent predictors of worse PCSS. The number of patients suffering pelvic symptoms was significantly decreased, and QoL scores were significantly down-regulated after surgeries.

Conclusion

CP offered effective and durable palliation in patients of locally advanced prostate cancer with invasion of the bladder, providing better QoL and relieving local symptoms.

Changes in Characteristics of Men with Lethal Prostate Cancer During the Past 25 Years: Description of Population-based Deaths

Background

Attempts to reduce prostate cancer (PC) mortality require an understanding of temporal changes in the characteristics of men with lethal PC.

Objective

To describe the diagnostic characteristics of and time trends for a nationwide population-based cohort of Swedish men who died from PC between 1992 and 2016.

Design, setting, and participants

Men with PC as the underlying cause of death from 1992 to 2016 according to the Swedish Cause of Death Register were included in the study. Characteristics at diagnosis were collected via links to other nationwide registries using personal identity numbers.

Outcome measurements and statistical analysis

Data on disease duration, age at death, and risk category were analyzed. Missing data for risk categories for men with an early date of PC diagnosis were imputed according to the method of chained equations.

Results and limitations

Between 1992 and 2016, age-standardized PC mortality decreased by 25%. Median PC disease duration increased from 3.3 yr (interquartile range [IQR] 1.6–6.3) to 5.9 yr (IQR 2.5–10.3) and the median age at death from PC increased from 78.9 yr (IQR 73.3–84.2) to 82.2 yr (IQR 75.2–87.5). The proportion of men with localized disease at diagnosis who died from PC increased from 34% to 48%, while the rate of distant metastases at diagnosis decreased from 56% to 42%. The rate of distant metastases at diagnosis was highest among the youngest men. Treatment trajectories could not be described owing to the large proportion of missing data before the start of registration in the National Prostate Cancer Registry.

Conclusion

Age-standardized PC mortality has decreased substantially since 1992. However, there is still a high proportion of men who die from PC who had localized disease at diagnosis, which indicates that more attention is needed to identify the underlying causes to prevent disease progression. Since the proportion of men with distant metastases at diagnosis remains high, early detection of lethal tumors is essential to further reduce PC mortality.

Patient summary

We investigated the characteristics of men who died from prostate cancer in Sweden between 1992 and 2016. We found that men with lethal prostate cancer live longer and are older when they die today in comparison to men who died at the beginning of the study period. However, the proportion of men with distant metastases at diagnosis remains high, which is why early detection of lethal tumors is essential to reduce mortality.

Role of Brachytherapy Boost in Clinically Localized Intermediate and High-Risk Prostate Cancer: Lack of Benefit in Patients with Very High-Risk Factors T3b-4 and/or Gleason 9-10

Simple Summary

In general, brachytherapy (BT) improves biochemical control in intermediate-to high-risk prostate cancer. We previously reported that importance of very high-risk factors (VHR: T3b–4 or Gleason score 9–10) and patients with double VHR (VHR-2) showed the worst prognosis among high-risk groups. We explored the role of BT-boost in patients with VHR and compared it to intermediate- and other high-risk groups. We confirmed that BT-boost improved prostate-specific antigen (PSA) control but resulted in equivalent overall survival rates for the intermediate- and high-risk groups, except for the patients with VHR. In the VHR-1 group (single VHR), BT-boost showed superior PSA control to conventional-dose RT (EQD2 ≤ 72 Gy) but not to the dose-escalated radiotherapy group (EQD2 ≥ 74 Gy). In the VHR-2 group, BT-boost did not improve the biochemical control rate of either Conv RT or DeRT. BT-boost showed no benefit over modern DeRT in the patients with VHR.

Abstract

This study examined the role of brachytherapy boost (BT-boost) and external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) in intermediate- to high-risk prostate cancer, especially in patients with very high-risk factors (VHR: T3b–4 or Gleason score 9–10) as patients with double very high-risk factors (VHR-2: T3b–4 and Gleason score 9–10) previously showed worst prognosis in localized prostate cancer. We retrospectively reviewed multi-institutional data of 1961 patients that were administered radiotherapy (1091 BT-boost and 872 EBRT: 593 conventional-dose RT (Conv RT: equivalent to doses of 2 Gy per fraction = EQD2 ≤ 72 Gy) and 216 dose-escalating RT (DeRT = EQD2 ≥ 74 Gy). We found that BT-boost improved PSA control and provided an equivalent overall survival rate in the intermediate- and high-risk groups, except for patients within the VHR factor group. In the VHR-1 group (single VHR), BT-boost showed a superior biochemical control rate to the Conv RT group but not to the DeRT group. In the VHR-2 group, BT-boost did not improve outcomes of either Conv RT or DeRT groups. In conclusion, BT-boost showed no benefit to modern DeRT in the patients with VHR; therefore, they are not good candidates for BT-boost to improve outcome and may be amenable to clinical trials using multimodal intensified systemic treatments.

Assessment of the optimal number of positive biopsy cores to discriminate between cancer-specific mortality in high-risk versus very high-risk prostate cancer patients

BACKGROUND

Number of positive prostate biopsy cores represents a key determinant between high versus very high-risk prostate cancer (PCa). We performed a critical appraisal of the association between the number of positive prostate biopsy cores and CSM in high versus very high-risk PCa.

METHODS

Within Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database (2010-2016), 13,836 high versus 20,359 very high-risk PCa patients were identified. Discrimination according to 11 different positive prostate biopsy core cut-offs (≥2-≥12) were tested in Kaplan-Meier, cumulative incidence, and multivariable Cox and competing risks regression models.

RESULTS

Among 11 tested positive prostate biopsy core cut-offs, more than or equal to 8 (high-risk vs. very high-risk: n = 18,986 vs. n = 15,209, median prostate-specific antigen [PSA]: 10.6 vs. 16.8 ng/ml, <.001) yielded optimal discrimination and was closely followed by the established more than or equal to 5 cut-off (high-risk vs. very high-risk: n = 13,836 vs. n = 20,359, median PSA: 16.5 vs. 11.1 ng/ml, p < .001). Stratification according to more than or equal to 8 positive prostate biopsy cores resulted in CSM rates of 4.1 versus 14.2% (delta: 10.1%, multivariable hazard ratio: 2.2, p < .001) and stratification according to more than or equal to 5 positive prostate biopsy cores with CSM rates of 3.7 versus 11.9% (delta: 8.2%, multivariable hazard ratio: 2.0, p < .001) in respectively high versus very high-risk PCa.

CONCLUSIONS

The more than or equal to 8 positive prostate biopsy cores cutoff yielded optimal results. It was very closely followed by more than or equal to 5 positive prostate biopsy cores. In consequence, virtually the same endorsement may be made for either cutoff. However, more than or equal to 5 positive prostate biopsy cores cutoff, based on its existing wide implementation, might represent the optimal choice.

Prediction of metastatic prostate cancer by prostate-specific antigen in combination with T stage and Gleason Grade: Nationwide, population-based register study

The objective was to investigate the proportion of men with metastatic prostate cancer in groups defined by T stage, Gleason Grade Group (GGG) and serum levels of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) and if PSA can be used to rule in metastatic prostate cancer when combined with T stage and GGG. We identified 102,076 men in Prostate Cancer data Base Sweden 4.0 who were diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2006–2016. Risk of metastases was assessed for PSA stratified on T stage and five-tiered GGG. For men who had not undergone bone imaging, we used multiple imputation to classify metastatic prostate cancer. Advanced T stage, high GGG and high PSA were related to bone metastases. For example: only 79/38 190 (0.2%) of men with T1-2 and GGG 1 had PSA above 500 ng/mL, and 29/79 (44%) of these men had metastases; whereas 1 154/7 018 (16%) of men with T3-4 and GGG 5 had PSA above 500 ng/ml and 1 088/1 154 (94%) of these men had metastases. However, no PSA cut-off could accurately identify the majority of men with metastatic prostate cancer (i.e. high sensitivity) while also correctly classifying most men without metastasis (i.e. high specificity). In conclusion, these results support the use of imaging to confirm bone metastases in men with advanced prostate cancer as no PSA level in combination with T stage and GGG could accurately rule in metastatic prostate cancer and thereby safely omit bone imaging.

Management of cT4 Prostate Cancer

While radiotherapy with androgen deprivation therapy is the current standard of care for the treatment of stage cT4 prostate cancer (PC), surgery may also be an appropriate option in selected patients as part of a multimodal approach. The role and the sequence with which to optimize therapy combinations in this setting are still unknown. This mini review summarizes the current evidence for management of cT4 PC. PATIENT SUMMARY: This mini review examines current evidence for the treatment options for locally advanced prostate cancer. The role of surgery in these patients can be considered as part of a combination treatment strategy along with other modalities such as radiotherapy and hormone therapy.

Age-adjusted Charlson Comorbidity Index as a prognostic factor for radical prostatectomy outcomes of very high-risk prostate cancer patients

PURPOSE

Prostate cancer (PC) is a devastating and heterogeneous condition with diverse treatment options. When selecting treatments for patients with very high-risk PC, clinicians must consider patient comorbidities. We investigated the efficacy of the age-adjusted Charlson Comorbidity Index (ACCI) as a prognostic factor for patient outcomes after radical prostatectomy (RP).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We retrospectively investigated the medical records of PC patients at our institution who underwent RP from 1992 to 2010. Very high-risk PC was defined according to National Comprehensive Cancer Network guidelines. Patients with incomplete medical records or who had received neoadjuvant therapy were excluded. Preoperative comorbidity was evaluated by the ACCI, and the prognostic efficacy of the ACCI was analyzed using univariable and multivariable Cox regression, competing risk regression model and Kaplan-Meier curves.

RESULTS

Our final analysis included 228 men with a median age of 66 years (interquartile range 62-71) and median prostate specific antigen of 10.7 ng/mL. There were 41 (18%) patients with an ACCI score >3 and 88 (38.6%) patients with a biopsy Gleason score >8. Preoperative evaluation revealed that 159 patients (69.7%) had a non-organ confined tumor (≥T3). Following RP, 8-year prostate cancer-specific survival (PCSS) and overall survival (OS) rates were 91.6% and 83.4%, respectively. Competing risk regression analysis revealed that ACCI was significantly associated with other-cause survival and OS (p<0.05).

CONCLUSION

The ACCI is an effective prognostic factor for other-cause survival and OS in very high-risk PC patients. RP should be considered carefully for patients with an ACCI score >3.

Efficacy of Local Treatment in Prostate Cancer Patients with Clinically Pelvic Lymph Node-positive Disease at Initial Diagnosis

BACKGROUND

There is limited evidence supporting the use of local treatment (LT) for prostate cancer (PCa) patients with clinically pelvic lymph node-positive (cN1) disease.

OBJECTIVE

To examine the efficacy of any form of LT±androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) in treating these individuals.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS

Using the National Cancer Database (2003-2011), we retrospectively identified 2967 individuals who received LT±ADT versus ADT alone for cN1 PCa. Only radical prostatectomy (RP) and radiation therapy (RT) were considered as definitive LT.

INTERVENTION

LT±ADT versus ADT alone.

OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS AND STATISTICAL ANALYSIS

Instrumental variable analyses (IVA) were performed using a two-stage residual inclusion approach to compare overall mortality (OM)-free survival between patients who received LT±ADT versus ADT alone. The same methodology was used to further compare OM-free survival between patients who received RP±ADT versus RT±ADT.

RESULTS AND LIMITATIONS

Overall, 1987 (67%) and 980 (33%) patients received LT±ADT and ADT alone, respectively. In the LT±ADT group, 751 (37.8%) and 1236 (62.2%) patients received RP±ADT and RT±ADT, respectively. In IVA, LT±ADT was associated with a significant OM-free survival benefit (hazard ratio=0.31, 95% confidence interval [CI]=0.13-0.74, p=0.007), when compared with ADT alone. At 5 yr, OM-free survival was 78.8% (95% CI: 74.1-83.9%) versus 49.2% (95% CI: 33.9-71.4%) in the LT±ADT versus ADT alone groups. When comparing RP±ADT versus RT±ADT, IVA showed no significant difference in OM-free survival between the two treatment modalities (hazard ratio=0.54, 95% CI=0.19-1.52, p=0.2). Despite the use of an IVA, our study may be limited by residual unmeasured confounding.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings show that PCa patients with clinically pelvic lymph node-positive disease may benefit from any form of LT±ADT over ADT alone. While not necessarily curative by itself, the use of RP or RT could be the first step in a multi-modality approach aiming at providing the best cancer control outcomes for these individuals.

PATIENTS SUMMARY

We examined the role of local treatment for clinically pelvic lymph node-positive prostate cancer. We found that the delivery of radical prostatectomy or radiation therapy may be associated with an overall mortality-free survival benefit compared with androgen deprivation therapy alone.

Oligometastatic Prostate Cancer

The mainstay of treatment for men with three or fewer non-castrate metastatic lesions outside of the prostate remains morbid palliative androgen deprivation therapy. We believe there is now a significant body of retrospective literature to suggest a survival benefit if these men have radical treatment to their primary tumour alongside ‘metastasis-directed therapy’ to the metastatic deposits. However, this regimen should be reserved to high-volume centres with quality assurance programmes and excellent outcomes. Patients should be made clear as to the uncertainty of benefit for this multi-site treatment strategy, and we await the publication of randomised controlled trials reporting in the next 5 years.