Rangel, Laureano J.

Objective To evaluate the incidence, predictors and oncological outcomes of pT 0 prostate cancer ( PC a). Methods We conducted a retrospective analysis of 20 222 patients undergoing radical prostatectomy ( RP ) for PC a at the Mayo Clinic between 1987 and 2012. Disease recurrence was defined as follow‐up PSA >0.4 ng/mL or biopsy‐proven local recurrence. Systemic progression was defined as development of metastatic disease on imaging. Comparisons of baseline characteristics between pT 0 and non‐ pT 0 groups were carried out using chi‐squared tests. Recurrence‐free survival was estimated using the Kaplan–Meier method and compared using the log‐rank test. Results A total of 62 patients (0.3%) had pT 0 disease according to the RP specimen. In univariable analysis, pT 0 disease was significantly associated with older age ( P = 0.045), lower prostate‐specific antigen ( PSA ; P = 0.002), lower clinical stage ( P < 0.001), lower biopsy Gleason score ( P = 0.042), and receipt of preoperative transurethral resection, hormonal and radiation therapies (all P < 0.001). In multivariable analysis, lower PSA levels, lower Gleason score, and receipt of preoperative treatment were independently associated with pT 0 (all P < 0.05). Seven patients (11%) with pT 0 PC a developed disease recurrence over a median follow‐up of 10.9 years. All seven patients had preoperative treatment(s) and three had recurrence with a PSA doubling time of <9 months. Compared with non‐ pT 0 disease, pT 0 disease was associated with longer recurrence‐free survival ( P < 0.05). Only one (1.6%) patient with pT 0 disease developed systemic progression. Conclusions pT 0 stage PC a is a rare phenomenon and is associated with receipt of preoperative treatment and features of low‐risk PC a. Although pT 0 has a very favourable prognosis, some men, especially those who received preoperative treatment, experience a small but non‐negligible risk of disease recurrence and systemic progression.

ObjectivesTo examine the ability of standard and saturation transrectal prostate biopsy techniques to predict appropriate candidates for active surveillance.MethodsBetween 2005 and 2007, 500 consecutive patients underwent transrectal ultrasound‐guided biopsy by a standard template (12 cores) or saturation template (≥18 cores, median 27 cores), with subsequent radical prostatectomy. Using the criteria of Gleason score ≤6, clinical stage T1 or T2a, prostate‐specific antigen <10 and ≤33% of cores involved, 218 patients were potential candidates for active surveillance. Pathology results from the prostatectomy specimens were used to determine the accuracy of each biopsy technique. Biochemical failure after prostatectomy was evaluated using logistic and Cox proportional hazards regression.ResultsA standard biopsy was carried out for 124 patients and saturation biopsy for 94 patients. There was no statistically significant difference between the groups in terms of median age (P = 0.14), preoperative prostate‐specific antigen (P = 0.52) and clinical stage (P = 0.23). Similar rates of Gleason score ≥7 at the time of radical prostatectomy were found, with 14% for standard biopsy and 15% for saturation biopsy (P = 0.70). Upstaging was shown in two standard biopsy patients (1.6%) and no saturation biopsy patients (P = 0.62). A multivariate analysis adjusting for prior prostate biopsy, preoperative prostate‐specific antigen and clinical stage showed no difference in the rate of upgrading based on biopsy technique (P = 0.26). During follow up, 5‐year biochemical failure‐free survival estimates were not significantly different (P = 0.11).ConclusionsIn men with prostate cancer, standard and saturation transrectal prostate biopsies techniques are equally predictive of candidates for active surveillance.

BackgroundTo evaluate the impact of adjuvant hormonal therapy after radical prostatectomy on overall survival in high‐risk prostate cancer patients, stratified by comorbidity status.MethodsWe identified 1247 patients who underwent radical prostatectomy from 1988 to 2004 for high‐risk prostate cancer, as defined by National Comprehensive Cancer Network classification. Comorbidity status was stratified by Charlson Comorbidity Index as 0, 1 or >2, as well as by the presence or absence of cardiovascular disease. Overall survival was estimated by the Kaplan–Meier method, and compared within each comorbidity category/adjuvant hormonal therapy strata with the log–rank test.ResultsMedian patient age was 65 years, and the median postoperative follow up was 11.2 years. In total, 419 patients (34%) received adjuvant hormonal therapy. The distribution of Charlson Comorbidity Index was 0, 1 and ≥2 in 861 (69%), 244 (20%) and 142 (11%) patients, respectively. The 10‐year overall survival for patients who received adjuvant hormonal therapy versus those who did not was 75% versus 82% (P = 0.54) for patients with Charlson Comorbidity Index = 0, 72% versus 76% (P = 0.83) with Charlson Comorbidity Index = 1, and 70% versus 68% (P = 0.33) with Charlson Comorbidity Index ≥2. Meanwhile, 155 (12%) patients had cardiovascular disease, and the 10‐year overall survival for patients with cardiovascular disease who received adjuvant hormonal therapy was 72%, compared with 76% without adjuvant hormonal therapy (P = 0.97). On multivariate analysis, receipt of adjuvant hormonal therapy was not associated with non‐prostate cancer mortality (P = 0.24).ConclusionsAdjuvant hormonal therapy after radical prostatectomy for high‐risk prostate cancer does not increase non‐prostate cancer mortality, even among patients with multiple comorbidities. Additional studies are warranted to determine optimal multimodal treatment approach for high‐risk patients.