AIM: Active surveillance is the recommended treatment of option for men with very low-risk prostate cancer.
In this study, the clinicopathological results of patients who were initially treated with active surveillance and subsequently underwent robot-assisted radical prostatectomy during follow-up are described.
METHODS: A prospective cohort of 106 men enrolled in active surveillance was reviewed. Pathologic specimens for patients who ultimately underwent robot-assisted radical prostatectomy for progression or personal preference were analyzed.
RESULTS: After exclusion of 14 patients who were lost to follow-up or with incomplete data collection, 92 men were included in the present analyses. Median follow-up was 27.6 months (range 3.3 to 193.1). Twenty-nine patients underwent robot-assisted radical prostatectomy. Progression occurred in 32 patients (34.8%), of which 23 men elected to undergo surgery. Robot-assisted radical prostatectomy was performed in 6 additional patients who chose definitive intervention due to anxiety. Pathologic analyses revealed organ-confined disease in 24 patients (82.8%), and Gleason score was ≥7 in nine (31%). Fourteen (48.3%) specimens were identified as having an advanced disease (Gleason score ≥7 and/or T3). In comparison to the patients with low-risk disease post-operatively (Gleason score < 7 and T2), patients with advanced disease had significantly higher PSA density level and lower prostate volume.
CONCLUSION: In this prospective active surveillance cohort, the progression rate was 34.8% over the follow-up period of 27.6 months. In specimens of patients who underwent robot-assisted radical prostatectomy, 48.3% displayed advanced pathologic features. Therefore we recommend that patients considering active surveillance should be counseled on risk of advanced disease as a possible hazard.
Written by:
Ha YS, Yu J, Patel N, Hassanzadeh Salmasi A, Parihar J, Kwon TG, Kim WJ, Kim IY. Are you the author?
Section of Urologic Oncology Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey New Brunswick, NJ USA.
Reference: Minerva Urol Nefrol. 2015 Mar;67(1):1-9.
PubMed Abstract
PMID: 25664959