The impact of local treatment of the primary tumor site in node positive and metastatic prostate cancer patients

Surgical treatment of the primary tumor in patients with metastatic prostate cancer (mPCa) is gaining traction. We discuss the biological rational and the existing literature on this approach.

We reviewed the literature regarding surgical management of advanced and mPCa disease.

Surgical removal of the primary tumor despite metastases is becoming a standard in an increasing number of malignancies. Basic science data support the use of surgical removal of the prostate in metastatic PCa. In addition, durable long-term survival has been reported in patients with node-positive PCa treated with radical prostatectomy (RP) as mono or multimodal approach. Based on these data, several groups have demonstrated the feasibility and safety of RP in the metastatic setting. Retrospective series have also reported an improvement in survival for metastatic patients treated with RP in addition to systemic treatment.

Although no level I data exist at this time to support the use of RP in clinically node-positive or mPCa patients, retrospective data together with basic research data and experience from other malignancies suggest that treatment of the primary tumor, in form of a RP, is safe and could improve long-term quality of life and survival. However, prospective evaluations are requested to validate these findings before including in the standard clinical practice.Prostate Cancer and Prostatic Diseases advance online publication, 25 October 2016; doi:10.1038/pcan.2016.52.

Prostate cancer and prostatic diseases. 2016 Oct 25 [Epub ahead of print]

M Moschini, F Soria, A Briganti, S F Shariat

Department of Urology, Comprehensive Cancer Center, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna General Hospital, Vienna, Austria., Department of Urology, Urological Research Institute, Vita-Salute University, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy.