Impact of positive surgical margins after radical prostatectomy

Impact of positive surgical margin on biochemical recurrence in localized prostate cancer

BACKGROUND

We analyzed the relationship between biochemical recurrence (BCR) and the status of positive surgical margin (PSM) in patients with pT3a prostate cancer (PCa).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Patients (n = 150) who underwent radical prostatectomy for pT3a PCa without nodal/distant metastasis were retrospectively reviewed between 2010 and 2013. The data regarding the status of PSM including the number, length, and margin Gleason score were collected. The predictors of BCR were analyzed using Cox regression hazard models. BCR-free survival was compared between the patients with negative surgical margin (NSM) and with PSM using Kaplan-Meier curves and log-rank tests.

RESULTS

PSM was noted in 74 patients (49.3%). Seventy-six patients (50.7%) had NSM and 38 patients (25.3%) had single PSM. Twenty patients (13.3%) had two PSMs and 16 patients (10.7%) had ≥3 PSMs. In total patients, the multivariate analysis demonstrated that a pathological Gleason score of ≥8 was significantly associated with BCR [hazard ratio (HR), 2.173; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.244-3.797; P = 0.038]. In patients with PSM, the number of PSM more than two was significantly associated with BCR (HR, 2.723; 95% CI, 1.256-5.902; P = 0.011). PSM length of ≥3 mm was also a significant predictive factor (HR, 1.024; 95% CI, 0.994-1.055, P = 0.042). Patients with the highest margin Gleason score of ≥4 had poorer BCR-free survival than those with that of 3/no surgical margin.

CONCLUSIONS

Number (more than one), length (≥3 mm), and higher margin Gleason score (≥4) of PSM were significantly associated with an increased likelihood of BCR in patients with pT3a PCa.

Clinical predictors for biochemical failure in patients with positive surgical margin after robotic-assisted radical prostatectomy

OBJECTIVE

Patients with positive surgical margins (PSMs) after radical prostatectomy for localized prostate cancer have a higher risk of biochemical failure (BCF). We investigated the risk factors of BCF in patients with PSMs after robotic-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP).

METHODS

We evaluated 462 patients who underwent RARP in a single medical center from 2006 through 2013. Of them, 61 with PSMs did not receive any treatment before BCF. Kaplan-Meier curve and Cox regression analysis were used to compare patients with (n = 19) and without (n = 41) BCF.

RESULTS

Overall, 13.2% of patients had PSMs, and of those, 31.7% experienced BCF during follow-up. The mean follow-up duration was 43.7 months (42.4 [non-BCF] vs 46.35 (BCF], p = 0.51). In univariant analyses, the platelet to lymphocyte ratio (6.26 [non-BCF] vs 8.02 [BCF], p = 0.04) differed statistically. When patients were grouped by pathologic grade ≦2 or ≧3 (p = 0.004), the BCF-free survival rates differed significantly. Seminal vesicle invasion also differed significantly (5 [non-BCF] vs 7 [BCF], p = 0.005). Patients with undetectable nadir prostate-specific antigen (PSA) after RARP (BCF rate 4/34) differed statistically from those with detectable PSA after RARP (BCF rate 15/26) (p < 0.001). In the multivariate analysis, the platelet/lymphocyte (P/L) ratio, pathologic grade, and undetectable nadir PSA remained statistically significant.

CONCLUSIONS

In patients who undergo RARP and have PSMs, P/L ratio >9 preoperatively, pathologic grade ⩾3, and detectable nadir PSA after RARP should be considered adverse features. Early intervention such as salvage radiation therapy or androgen deprivation therapy should be offered to these patients.

Impact of the Proportion of Biopsy Positive Core in Predicting Biochemical Recurrence in Patients with Pathological Pt2 and Negative Resection Margin Status after Radical Prostatectomy

This study aimed to determine the prognostic factors associated with biochemical recurrence (BCR) after radical prostatectomy (RP) in patients with pathological T2 (pT2) prostate cancer (PCa) and negative resection margin (RM) status at a single institution. In this retrospective study, we examined 386 patients who were diagnosed with pT2 PCa with negative RM after RP. The length of the tumor was provided for each biopsy core and the overall percentage of PCa was calculated by a pathologist at our institution. We estimated the BCR-free survival (BRFS) in these patients. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed using the Cox proportional hazard model to determine the risk factors of BCR. The median age of the participants was 68 years, and their initial prostate-specific antigen level was 6.55 ng/mL. The median follow-up period was 85.7 months. The 5-year BRFS rate of the participants was 89.0%. The 5-year BRFS rates were 89.8% in patients with a biopsy Gleason score of 6, 90.4% in those with 7, and 64.1% in those with ≥8 (P = 0.007). The BRFS rate was 93.3% in patients who had a biopsy positive core ≤20% and 82.0% in those who had ≥21% (P = 0.001). Based on the multivariate analysis, the proportion of biopsy positive core was significantly associated with BCR. The proportion of biopsy positive core may predict preoperative covariates in patients with pT2 PCa and negative RM status after RP.

Postoperative biochemical recurrence of pathologically localized high-grade prostate cancer in adjuvant treatment-naïve patients

PURPOSE

To evaluate biochemical recurrence (BCR) risk in men with localized prostate cancer (PC) of pathological Gleason score (pGS) 8-10. Although such patients have low BCR-free survival (BCRFS) following radical prostatectomy (RP), they are not recommended for adjuvant radiation therapy (ART) as per current guidelines.

METHODS

Among an adjuvant treatment-naïve cohort between 1995 and 2015, 1272 men were identified and categorized into group 1 [pGS7 (3 + 4) and pT3; n = 654], group 2 [pGS7 (4 + 3) and pT3; n = 408], and group 3 (pGS 8-10 and pT2; n = 210). The BCR risk of group 3 was compared with that of groups 1 and 2 who are the candidates for ART.

RESULTS

At a median follow-up of 60 months (interquartile range: 39-86), 432 men experienced BCR. BCRFS was lower in group 3 than in groups 1 and 2 (p < 0.001 and p = 0.021, respectively). In multivariate analysis, this association persisted and surgical margin (SM) was found to be a significant BCR predictor. Although statistically not significant, BCRFS was lower in group 3 with positive SM (PSM) than in group 2 with PSM (p = 0.101). BCRFS was significantly worse in group 3 with negative SM (NSM) than in group 1 with PSM (p = 0.038), while it was better in group 2 with PSM (p = 0.297).

CONCLUSION

Localized high-grade PC with PSM showed lower BCRFS and that with NSM showed better BCRFS without statistical significance than locally advanced GS 7 PC with PSM that are eligible for ART.

Recovery of pad-free continence in elderly men does not differ from younger men undergoing robot-assisted radical prostatectomy for aggressive prostate cancer

PURPOSE

To analyze urinary continence outcome following robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) for aggressive prostate cancer in men aged ≥ 70 and < 70 years.

METHODS

Retrospective analyses of prospectively collected long-term data from a monocentric cohort of 350 men with D'Amico high-risk prostate cancer undergone robot-assisted radical prostatectomy at a single institution between 2005 and 2016. The association between time since operation and zero-pad urinary continence recovery was comparatively analyzed by separate pre-operative and post-operative Cox proportional-hazard regression models.

RESULTS

Median age in the age group ≥ 70 years was 73 years compared with 62 years in the < 70 year age group. Distribution of men receiving adjuvant and salvage radiotherapy/hormonal therapy was similar in both age groups. Urinary continence recovery rate at 12, 24, and 36 months after surgery of men aged ≥ 70 years was 66, 79 and 83%, respectively, and statistically similar to that of men < 70 years: 71, 81, and 85% (log-rank test p = 0.24). Multivariable analyses demonstrated no significant difference in return to continence between the two age groups (p = 0.28 and p = 0.17). In addition, clinical stage and type of nerve sparing (unilateral, bilateral or non-nerve sparing) were found to be independently predictive of pad-free continence recovery.

CONCLUSIONS

Regardless of age, return to continence in men with aggressive prostate cancer undergoing RARP continues to improve way beyond the first 12 months after surgery. Considering the dire effects of post-operative radiotherapy on continence in this aggressive cancer cohort, advanced age alone should not discourage recommending multimodal therapy involving RARP.

Correlation between postoperative prostate-specific antigen and biochemical recurrence in positive surgical margin patients: Single surgeon series

Background

To evaluate the relationship between postoperative prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels and biochemical recurrence (BCR) after radical prostatectomy, especially in patients with positive surgical margins (PSMs).

Materials and methods

A total of 144 patients who underwent radical prostatectomies performed by a single surgeon without any neoadjuvant or adjuvant treatment were analyzed. Differences in clinicopathological factors were compared by surgical margin status, and the relationship between postoperative PSA level and BCR in patients with PSMs was evaluated.

Results

Fifty of the 144 patients (34.7%) had PSMs. Of these, 74% experienced BCR. The negative surgical margins and PSMs groups differed significantly in terms of PSA level at diagnosis, clinical T stage, and risk group by the cancer of the prostate risk assessment score (P = 0.002, P = 0.002, and P = 0.004, respectively). Also, the nadir PSA level, tumor volume, and BCR rate differed between the two groups (P = 0.007, P = 0.015, and P = 0.005, respectively) On Kaplan–Meier analysis, BCR-free survival was better in the negative surgical margins than the PSMs group (64.1 vs. 55.4 months, log-rank test, P = 0.011). BCR-free survival did not differ significantly in PSMs patients according to whether PSA level was or was not detectable at 1 month postoperatively. However, BCR-free survival improved when the nadir PSA level was undetectable (compared to detectable) in PSMs patients (64.3 vs. 26.1 months, log-rank test, P < 0.001). In PSMs patients belonging to the high risk group by cancer of the prostate risk assessment score, BCR-free survival was significantly better when the PSA level attained the nadir within 3 months, compared to > 6 months, postoperatively (64.2 vs. 29.5 months, log-rank test, P = 0.022).

Conclusion

If PSA is detectable in PSMs patients until 1 month after operation, cautious observation may be possible. If the nadir is attained within 3 months postoperatively in high-risk patients with PSMs, better BCR-free survival may be expected.

Biochemical recurrence rates are similar for pT2-positive surgical margins and pT3a

OBJECTIVE

Histological details of positive surgical margins in radical prostatectomy specimens have been related to outcome after surgery in rare studies recently published. Our objective is to assess whether the status of surgical margins, the extent and the Gleason score of positive margins, and the extent of the extraprostatic extension are predictive of biochemical recurrence post-radical prostatectomy.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Three hundred sixty-five radical prostatectomy specimens were analyzed. The length of the positive surgical margin and extraprostatic extension and the Gleason score of the margin were recorded. Statistical analyses examined the predictive value of these variables for biochemical recurrence.

RESULTS

236 patients were stage pT2R0, 58 pT2R1, 25 pT3R0 and 46 pT3R1. Biochemical recurrence occurred in 11%, 31%, 20% and 45.7% of pT2R0, pT2R1, pT3R0 and pT3R1, respectively. The extent of the positive surgical margins and the Gleason score of the positive surgical margins were not associated with biochemical recurrence in univariate analysis in a mean follow up period of 35.9 months. In multivariate analyses, only the status of the surgical margins and the global Gleason score were associated with biochemical recurrence, with a risk of recurrence of 3.1 for positive surgical margins and of 3.8 for a Gleason score > 7.

CONCLUSION

Positive surgical margin and the global Gleason score are significant risk factors for biochemical recurrence post-radical prostatectomy, regardless of the extent of the surgical margin, the extent of the extraprostatic extension, or the local Gleason score of the positive surgical margin or extraprostatic tissue. pT2R1 disease behaves as pT3R0 and should be treated similarly.

Matrix metalloproteinases 2 and 9 immunoexpression in prostate carcinoma at the positive margin of radical prostatectomy specimens

The aim of this study was to evaluate the expression of matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP-2) and matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9) in prostate cancer in the main tumor mass and tumor cells at the positive margin as well as the influence of these biomarkers on the biochemical recurrence of the disease in prostatectomy patients. Tissue microarrays of 120 archival prostate carcinoma samples were immunohistochemically evaluated for MMP-2 and MMP-9 expression and compared with clinicopathological parameters. Tumors with positive surgical margins showed significantly higher overall expression of MMP-9 versus tumors with negative resection margins (P = 0.0121). MMP-9 expression was significantly elevated in tumors from patients who had biochemical recurrence (P = 0.0207). In the group of patients with negative margins, MMP-9 expression above the cut-off value was significantly associated with recurrence (P = 0.0065). Multivariate analysis indicated that MMP-9 is a good predictor of biochemical recurrence (odds ratio = 10.29; P = 0.0052). Expression of MMP-2 in tumor cells was significantly higher at the positive margins than in the main tumor mass (P = 0.0301). The present results highlight the potential value of MMP-2 and MMP-9 expression for predicting the behavior of prostate tumors after prostatectomy with both positive and negative surgical margins.

Disease-specific outcomes of radical prostatectomies in Northern Norway; a case for the impact of perineural infiltration and postoperative PSA-doubling time

Background

Prostate cancer is the most common male malignancy and a mayor cause of mortality in the western world. The impact of clinicopathological variables on disease related outcomes have mainly been reported from a few large US series, most of them not reporting on perineural infiltration. We therefore wanted to investigate relevant cancer outcomes in patients undergoing radical prostatectomy in two Norwegian health regions with an emphasis on the impact of perineural infiltration (PNI) and prostate specific antigen- doubling time (PSA-DT).

Methods

We conducted a retrospective analysis of 535 prostatectomy patients at three hospitals between 1995 and 2005 estimating biochemical failure- (BFFS), clinical failure- (CFFS) and prostate cancer death-free survival (PCDFS) with the Kaplan-Meier method. We investigated clinicopathological factors influencing risk of events using cox proportional hazard regression.

Results

After a median follow-up of 89 months, 170 patients (32%) experienced biochemical failure (BF), 36 (7%) experienced clinical failure and 15 (3%) had died of prostate cancer. pT-Stage (p = 0.001), preoperative PSA (p = 0.047), Gleason Score (p = 0.032), non-apical positive surgical margins (PSM) (p = 0.003) and apical PSM (p = 0.031) were all independently associated to BFFS. Gleason score (p = 0.019), PNI (p = 0.012) and non-apical PSM (p = 0.002) were all independently associated to CFFS while only PNI (P = 0.047) and subgroups of Gleason score were independently associated to PCDFS. After BF, patients with a shorter PSA-DT had independent and significant worse event-free survivals than patients with PSA-DT > 15 months (PSA-DT = 3-9 months, CFFS HR = 6.44, p < 0.001, PCDFS HR = 13.7, p = 0.020; PSA-DT < 3 months, CFFS HR = 11.2, p < 0.001, PCDFS HR = 27.5, p = 0.006).

Conclusions

After prostatectomy, CFFS and PCDFS are variable, but both are strongly associated to Gleason score and PNI. In patients with BF, PSA-DT was most strongly associated to CF and PCD. Our study adds weight to the importance of PSA-DT and re-launches PNI as a strong prognosticator for clinically relevant endpoints.

Open radical retropubic prostatectomy 2007: the true minimally invasive surgery for localized prostate cancer?

The introduction of robotic laparoscopic assisted prostatectomy at our institution and nationwide has been a great advancement and has caused us to focus and fine-tune our goal for improvements in prostate cancer outcomes whether the patient elects for robotic laparoscopic assisted prostatectomy or open minimally invasive radical retropubic prostatectomy. While these authors favor the open technique performed by highly skilled urologic surgical oncologists, the lessons we have learned to date suggest that it is the skill of the surgeon that determines outcome, regardless of whether or not the operation is performed by an open or robotic laparoscopic technique. The concepts we have articulated here are related to resection and avoidance of positive margins, limited intraoperative blood loss and pain control, which allow equivalence in these outcome areas, regardless of technique.

Cancer Care Ontario Guidelines for radical prostatectomy: striving for continuous quality improvement in community practice

OBJECTIVE

: Cancer Care Ontario has published an evidence-based guideline on their website "Guideline for Optimization of Surgical and Pathological Quality Performance for Radical Prostatectomy in Prostate Cancer Management: Surgical and Pathological Guidelines." The evidentiary base for this guideline was recently published in CUAJ. The CCO guideline proposes the following: a positive surgical margin (PSM) rate of <25% for organ-confined disease (pT2), a perioperative mortality of <1%, a rate of rectal injury <1%, and a blood transfusion rate <10% in non-anemic patients. The objective of this study was to review the radical prostatectomy practice at the Grey Bruce Health Services, an Ontario community hospital, and to compare our performance in relation to the Cancer Care Ontario guideline and the literature.

METHODS

: We conducted a retrospective review of all radical prostatectomies performed at the Grey Bruce Health Services from January 1, 2006 to December 31, 2007. The following data were obtained from clinical records and pathology reports: patient age, pre-biopsy prostate-specific antigen, biopsy Gleason score, resected prostate gland weight, radical prostatectomy Gleason score, surgical margin status, pathological tumour stage (pT), lymph node dissection status, perioperative incidence of transfusion of blood products and if the patient was anemic (hemoglobin <140 g/L) preoperatively, incidence of rectal injury, and perioperative mortality within 30 days following surgery.

RESULTS

: Using the method proposed by D'Amico, most patients undergoing radical prostatectomy were intermediate risk (62%), with a minority of low-risk (24%) and high-risk (14%) patients. The overall PSM rate was 37%. The rate of PSMs in organ-confined disease (pT2) was 26%. There was a statistically significant trend between increasing D'Amico risk category and increasing rate of PSM (Cochran-Armitage trend test, p = 0.023). There was a strong correlation between the pathological tumour stage and the rate of PSM (Cochran-Armitage trend test, p = 0.0003). The rate of blood transfusion in non-anemic patients was 6%. There was 1 patient (0.8%) who experienced a rectal injury. There were no perioperative deaths in our study group.

CONCLUSION

: Our results show that a community hospital group can appropriately select patients to undergo radical prostatectomy, as well as achieve an acceptable rate of PSMs. We believe that ongoing critical appraisal and reflective practice are essential to improving surgical outcomes and providing quality care.

Treatment of locally advanced prostate cancer: a case report and narrative review

Introduction. Treatment of locally advanced prostate cancer is under discussion. Differences between clinical and pathological staging and risk factors such as positive surgical margins and seminal vesicle involvement challenge the individual treatment decisions. Case Presentation. Clinical tumor stage before treatment was assessed to be T2. After radical prostatectomy, pathological examination revealed the stage pT3b N0 M0 including positive surgical margin and seminal vesicle involvement. Early adjuvant androgen deprivation therapy and late adjuvant radiation therapy were added in response to the pathological risk factors. No evidence of disease was observed for 15 years after the treatment. The unexpected pathological findings were not explained by the physicians in charge. Discussion. A narrative review of the recent literature showed that multiple treatment modalities including adjuvant radiotherapy following radical prostatectomy are consistent with current recommendations. The multimodal approach has possibly cured a high-risk patient and may also work successfully in other patients. An alternative treatment option with better preservation of health-related quality of life might have also achieved a similar good overall survival.

Randomized trial comparing an anterograde versus a retrograde approach to open radical prostatectomy: results in terms of positive margin rate

OBJECTIVES

Surgical technique, patient characteristics and method of pathological review may influence surgical margin (SM) status. Positive surgical margin (SM+) rates of 14% to 46% have been reported in different radical retropubic prostatectomy (RRP) series. We evaluated the effect of an anterograde versus retrograde approach to RRP and specifically focused on the incidence of SM+.

METHODS

From January 2003 to November 2007, we randomly assigned 200 patients with clinically localized prostate adenocarcinomas to undergo a retrograde (Group A) versus an anterograde (Group B) open RRP. All RRPs were performed at our institution by 2 surgeons. For all 200 patients, we evaluated a panel of clinical and pathological variables relating to their association with SM status.

RESULTS

In Group A, 22% of cases after RRP showed a pT3 tumour and 39% of cases with a Gleason score >/=7 (4+3); in Group B, 20% of cases showed a pT3 tumour and 37% of cases with a Gleason score >/=7 (4+3) (p > 0.10). The incidence of SM+ was 18% in Group A and 14% in Group B (p = 0.0320). In Group A, 22.2% of cases with SM+ had multiple positive margins, whereas no cases in Group B showed multiple SM+. Regarding the localization of SM+, no difference was found between the 2 groups. In the multivariate analysis, only prostate-specific antigen (p = 0.0090 and p = 0.0020, respectively in the 2 groups) and pathological stage (p < 0.0001 in both groups) were significant and independently associated with SM+ occurrence.

CONCLUSION

In our experience, the anterograde approach to open RRP is associated with lower SM+ rates and no risk of multiple SM+ when compared with the retrograde approach.

Men with organ-confined prostate cancer and positive surgical margins develop biochemical failure at a similar rate to men with extracapsular extension

OBJECTIVES

To define the role of positive surgical margins (PSMs) after radical retropubic prostatectomy as a predictor of biochemical failure (BCF) in prostate cancer with respect to pathologic stage.

METHODS

A retrospective cohort study of 300 patients who had undergone radical retropubic prostatectomy from 1993 to 1995 was performed. The role of margin status and the length of the PSM in the progression to BCF was defined after controlling for the preoperative prostate-specific antigen level, Gleason score, tumor stage, tumor volume, seminal vesical invasion, lymphovascular invasion, and perineural invasion using a multivariate regression model. The median follow-up time was 12 years.

RESULTS

The presence of PSMs correlated with a shorter time to BCF in men with Stage pT2 disease (P<.0001) but not in men with Stage pT3 disease (P=.66). Of the patients with Stage pT2 disease and PSMs, the PSM length did not correlate with progression to BCF. PSMs predicted a shorter time to progression to BCF in patients with high- and low-volume pT2 disease (P=.0261 and P=.0003, respectively). Only PSMs predicted a shorter time to BCF on multivariate analysis in patients with Stage pT2 cancer (hazard ratio 2.33, 95% confidence interval 1.495-3.723). In patients with Stage pT3 disease, PSMs were not associated with an increased risk of BCF (hazard ratio 0.747, 95% confidence interval 0.328-1.703).

CONCLUSIONS

Surgical margin status did not affect the risk of BCF in patients with Stage pT3a disease; however, it did affect patients with Stage pT2 disease, irrespective of PSM length or disease volume. During 12 years of follow-up, the patients with PSMs and Stage pT2 disease had a risk of BCF similar to that of the patients with Stage pT3 disease.

Adverse prognostic impact of capsular incision at radical prostatectomy for Japanese men with clinically localized prostate cancer

OBJECTIVES

The objective of this study was to evaluate the significance of capsular incision (CI) at radical prostatectomy (RP) for men with prostate cancer.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This study included 267 men who underwent RP without neoadjuvant therapy and were pathologically diagnosed as having organ-confined disease. CI was defined as exposing benign or malignant glands at the inked margin without documented extraprostatic extension.

RESULTS

Pathological examinations identified CI in 53 RP specimens (19.9%), while CI was not detected in the remaining 214 specimens (80.1%). The locations of CIs in RP specimens from these 53 patients were as follows: 39 (73.6%) at the apex, 11 (20.0%) at the anterior site, 4 (7.5%) at the posterior site and 12 (22.6%) at the bladder neck. The incidence of CI was significantly affected by surgical procedure, preoperative serum PSA and microvenous invasion in RP specimen. During the observation period of this study, biochemical recurrence occurred in 10 (18.9%) of the 53 with CI and 20 (9.3%) of the 214 without CI, and the biochemical recurrence-free survival in patients with CI was significantly poorer than those without CI. Furthermore, of several factors examined, biochemical recurrence was significantly associated with preoperative serum PSA, Gleason score, perineural invasion and capsular incision, among which only preoperative serum PSA appeared to be an independent predictor of biochemical recurrence.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite the lack of independent significance, the presence of CI has an adverse impact on biochemical outcome in patients undergoing RP for clinically localized prostate cancer.

Radical prostatectomy versus watchful waiting in localized prostate cancer: the Scandinavian prostate cancer group-4 randomized trial

BACKGROUND

The benefit of radical prostatectomy in patients with early prostate cancer has been assessed in only one randomized trial. In 2005, we reported that radical prostatectomy improved prostate cancer survival compared with watchful waiting after a median of 8.2 years of follow-up. We now report results after 3 more years of follow-up.

METHODS

From October 1, 1989, through February 28, 1999, 695 men with clinically localized prostate cancer were randomly assigned to radical prostatectomy (n = 347) or watchful waiting (n = 348). Follow-up was complete through December 31, 2006, with histopathologic review and blinded evaluation of causes of death. Relative risks (RRs) were estimated using the Cox proportional hazards model. Statistical tests were two-sided.

RESULTS

During a median of 10.8 years of follow-up (range = 3 weeks to 17.2 years), 137 men in the surgery group and 156 in the watchful waiting group died (P = .09). For 47 of the 347 men (13.5%) who were randomly assigned to surgery and 68 of the 348 men (19.5%) who were not, death was due to prostate cancer. The difference in cumulative incidence of death due to prostate cancer remained stable after about 10 years of follow-up. At 12 years, 12.5% of the surgery group and 17.9% of the watchful waiting group had died of prostate cancer (difference = 5.4%, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.2 to 11.1%), for a relative risk of 0.65 (95% CI = 0.45 to 0.94; P = .03). The difference in cumulative incidence of distant metastases did not increase beyond 10 years of follow-up. At 12 years, 19.3% of men in the surgery group and 26% of men in the watchful waiting group had been diagnosed with distant metastases (difference = 6.7%, 95% CI = 0.2 to 13.2%), for a relative risk of 0.65 (95% CI = 0.47 to 0.88; P = .006). Among men who underwent radical prostatectomy, those with extracapsular tumor growth had 14 times the risk of prostate cancer death as those without it (RR = 14.2, 95% CI = 3.3 to 61.8; P < .001).

CONCLUSION

Radical prostatectomy reduces prostate cancer mortality and risk of metastases with little or no further increase in benefit 10 or more years after surgery.

The role of locoregional therapy in inflammatory breast cancer

Inflammatory breast cancer (IBC) is the most aggressive form of invasive breast cancer. The disease is associated with extensive local disease at the time of initial diagnosis requiring multidisciplinary treatment including neoadjuvant systemic therapy, surgery and comprehensive locoregional therapy. The clinical and pathological response to induction chemotherapy represents an important prognostic factor. IBC is otherwise associated with a high incidence of locoregional recurrence suggesting a critical role also for local modalities, particularly radiotherapy. The use of different schedules of treatment and possible combination approaches are reviewed and discussed.

A comparison of the incidence and location of positive surgical margins in robotic assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy and open retropubic radical prostatectomy

PURPOSE

Surgical technique, patient characteristics and method of pathological review may influence surgical margin status. We evaluated the incidence and location of positive surgical margins in 200 sequential robotic assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy and 200 sequential open radical retropubic prostatectomy cases.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

From July 2002 until December 2006 a total of 1,747 patients underwent radical prostatectomy at our institution (robotic assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy in 1,238, radical retropubic prostatectomy in 509). From these we selected the last 200 consecutive radical retropubic prostatectomies and 200 robotic assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomies performed before August 2006. Preoperative clinical characteristics including age, clinical stage, prostate specific antigen and Gleason score were evaluated. Postoperatively pathological specimens were assessed for specimen weight, Gleason score, tumor volume, pathological stage and margin status. The incidence and location of positive surgical margins were compared between robotic assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy and radical retropubic prostatectomy.

RESULTS

Patients undergoing robotic assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy compared to radical retropubic prostatectomy had more favorable tumor characteristics including lower prostate specific antigen, clinical stage and Gleason score. No statistically significant differences were found between groups for prostate volume or tumor volume. However, tumor volume as a percentage of prostate volume was higher among radical retropubic prostatectomy compared to robotic assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy cases (17.7% vs 13%, p = 0.001). The overall incidence of positive surgical margins was significantly lower among the robotic assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy compared to radical retropubic prostatectomy cases (15% vs 35%, p <0.001). The incidence of positive surgical margins according to pathological stage for robotic assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy vs radical retropubic prostatectomy cases was 16 of 171 (9.4%) vs 33 of 137 (24.1%) for pT2 (p <0.001) and 14 of 28 (50%) vs 36 of 60 (60%) for pT3. In both groups the apex was the most common site of positive surgical margins with 52% in the robotic assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy group vs 37% in the radical retropubic prostatectomy group (p >0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

In the hands of surgeons experienced in robotic assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy and radical retropubic prostatectomy, there was a statistically significant lower positive margin rate for patients undergoing robotic assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy. The most common location of a positive surgical margin in robotic assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy and radical retropubic prostatectomy cases was at the apex. Patients treated with radical retropubic prostatectomy had higher risk features which may have independently influenced these results. The method of pathological specimen analysis and reporting may account for the higher positive margin rates in both groups compared to some reports.

Transition from open to robotic-assisted radical prostatectomy is associated with a reduction of positive surgical margins amongst private-practice-based urologists

Several recent studies have suggested that thought leaders in radical prostatectomy have decreased their own positive margin rates by switching from open to robot-assisted radical prostatectomy. Theoretically, this improvement is largely attributed to enhanced visualization of the deep pelvis and precision of dissection afforded by the instrumentation. To date, it has not been determined if this phenomenon exists amongst non-fellowship-trained urologists in private practice. Herein, we describe the positive margin rates of two non-fellowship-trained private-practice urologists who converted from open radical retropubic prostatectomy to robot-assisted radical prostatectomy. The margin positivity data from two non-fellowship-trained private-practice urologists (surgeon 1 and surgeon 2) were reviewed retrospectively. The last 50 cases of open radical retropubic prostatectomy from each surgeon were compared with the first 50 robotic prostatectomy cases of surgeons 1 and 2, respectively. A positive surgical margin was defined as tumor present at the inked margin of the prostate. There was a significant decrease in the overall and pT2 positive margin rates for both surgeons. The overall positive margin rate and pT2 positive margin rate for surgeon 1 dropped from 44 to 20% and from 37 to 5.7%, respectively, after changing from open to robotic prostatectomy. For surgeon 2, the overall positive margin rate changed from 26 to 18% and the pT2 positive margin rate changed from 27.5 to 7% after converting. Changing from open to robotic-assisted radical prostatectomy may improve the ability of urologists to obtain negative surgical margins. With proper training this phenomenon does seem to apply to non-fellowship-trained urologists in private practice and can be realized within the first 50 cases performed.