Intermediate-term oncological and functional outcomes in prostate cancer patients treated with perineal robot-assisted radical prostatectomy:A single center analysis

Objective:In the last 10 years,robotic platforms allowed to resume of some alternative surgical approaches,including perineal robot-assisted radical prostatectomy(p-RARP).Herein,we present in detail the oncological and functional outcomes of patients who underwent p-RARP with a median follow-up of 30 months.Methods:Patients presenting low-or intermediate-risk prostate cancer and prostate volume up to 60 mL who underwent p-RARP between November 2018 and November 2022 were selected.Baseline,intraoperative,pathological,and postoperative data were collected and then analyzed.Results:Thirty-seven p-RARP cases were included.Such patients presented mean age of 62 years and a mean Charlson comorbidity index of 4.Body mass index of≥25 kg/m^(2)was reported by 24(64.9%)patients,as well as 7(18.9%)patients reported a past surgical history.Mean prostate volume and median prostate-specific antigen were 41 mL and 6.2 ng/mL,respectively.The median operative time was 242 min.The positive surgical margin rate was 45.9%.In terms of postoperative complications,10 patients reported complications with any grade;however,a single case(2.7%)of major(Clavien-Dindo grade≥3)complication was observed.No patient with biochemical recurrence or distant metastasis was reported at 2 years of follow-up.Recovery of continence rates were 67.6%,75.7%,and 92.9%,at 6 months,12 months,and 24 months after surgery,respectively.

Neuraxial anesthesia versus general anesthesia in patients undergoing three-dimensional laparoscopic radical prostatectomy:Preliminary results of a prospective comparative study

Objective:Neuraxial anesthesia(NA)showed to reduce both morbidity and mortality in patients undergoing laparoscopic surgery.We aimed to investigate the use of NA in patients undergoing transperitoneal three-dimensional laparoscopic radical prostatectomy(t-3DLRP)and compare the intraoperative and postoperative outcomes with a control group of patients undergoing t-3DLRP under general anesthesia(GA).Methods:A prospective,double-center,double-surgeon study cohort of 84 consecutive patients undergoing t-3DLRP between June 2019 and June 2021 was analyzed.A study group of 42 patients undergoing t-3DLRP under NA was compared with a control group of 42 patients undergoing t-3DLRP under GA.Results:The two group were similar in all demographic,clinical,and pathological variables.Postoperative blood gas parameters were within physiologic limits in both groups.Muscle relaxation was adequate for surgery during both NA and GA.Median length of stay was 1 day shorter for NA group than GA group(5 days vs.6 days,p=0.05).t-3DLRP under NA had a statistically lower rate of minor complications(4.8%vs.19.0%,p=0.03)and less postoperative pain(median numeric rating scale 3 vs.4,p=0.01)compared to GA.No major complications were observed in both groups.Significantly more patients were willing to undergo a similar intervention under NA than GA(p=0.04).Conclusion:t-3DLRP under NA is a feasible and safe procedure,with less postoperative pain and fewer minor complications than the same procedure under GA.NA allows the maintenance of muscle relaxation and respiratory excursions without interfering with surgery.

Role of preoperative magnetic resonance imaging on the surgical outcomes of radical prostatectomy:Does preoperative tumor recognition reduce the positive surgical margin in a specific location?Experience from a Thailand prostate cancer specialized center

Objective Multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging(MRI)has become the standard of care for the diagnosis of prostate cancer patients.This study aimed to evaluate the influence of preoperative MRI on the positive surgical margin(PSM)rates.Methods We retrospectively reviewed 1070 prostate cancer patients treated with radical prostatectomy(RP)at Siriraj Hospital between January 2013 and September 2019.PSM rates were compared between those with and without preoperative MRI.PSM locations were analyzed.Results In total,322(30.1%)patients underwent MRI before RP.PSM most frequently occurred at the apex(33.2%),followed by posterior(13.5%),bladder neck(12.7%),anterior(10.7%),posterolateral(9.9%),and lateral(2.3%)positions.In preoperative MRI,PSM was significantly lowered at the posterior surface(9.0%vs.15.4%,p=0.01)and in the subgroup of urologists with less than 100 RP experiences(32%vs.51%,odds ratio=0.51,p<0.05).Blood loss was also significantly decreased when a preoperative image was obtained(200 mL vs.250 mL,p=0.02).Multivariate analysis revealed that only preoperative MRI status was associated with overall PSM and PSM at the prostatic apex.Neither the surgical approach,the neurovascular bundle sparing technique,nor the perioperative blood loss was associated with PSM.Conclusion MRI is associated with less overall PSM,PSM at apex,and blood loss during RP.Additionally,preoperative MRI has shown promise in lowering the PSM rate among urologists who are in the early stages of performing RP.

Locally advanced and high risk prostate cancer:The best indication for initial radical prostatectomy?

High risk prostate cancer is a deadly disease that needs aggressive treatment.High risk prostate cancer is often treated with androgen deprivation therapy or combined radiohormonotherapy while there is a place for surgery in cases of operable and resectable locally advanced or high risk disease.This review summarises the results of the different treatment strategies for locally advanced and high risk prostate cancer.Radical prostatectomy monotherapy or in combination with radiotherapy and/or hormonal treatment are analysed.They show that radical prostatectomy is an effective treatment modality for these tumours.After surgery,the results of the pathology and the follow-up of serum PSA may indicate the need of additional adjuvant or salvage treatment strategies.

Evaluation of the prognostic nutritional index for the prognosis of Chinese patients with high/extremely high-risk prostate cancer after radical prostatectomy

BACKGROUND The incidence of prostate cancer(PCa)is on the rise in China.The risk level of patients with PCa is associated with disease-free survival rate at 10 years after radical prostatectomy.Predicting prognosis in advance according to the degree of risk can provide a reference for patients,especially treatment options and postoperative adjuvant treatment measures for high-risk/extremely high-risk patients.AIM To explore the predictive value of the prognostic nutritional index(PNI)for biological recurrence in Chinese patients with high/extremely high-risk PCa after radical prostatectomy.METHODS The biochemical test results and clinical data of 193 patients who underwent radical prostatectomy for the first time from January 2015 to December 2020 were retrospectively collected.The PNI value of peripheral blood within 1 wk before surgery was calculated,and during the follow-up period,prostate-specific antigen≥0.2 ng/mL was considered to have biological recurrence.The receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve was used to calculate the optimal critical value and area under the curve(AUC)of the patients.According to the critical value,the progression-free survival of the high PNI group and low PNI group was compared.The independent influencing factors of the patients’prognosis were obtained by the Cox proportional hazards regression model.RESULTS The non-biological recurrence rates at 1,3,and 5 years were 92.02%,84.05%,and 74.85%,respectively.The optimal critical value for PNI to predict biological recurrence was 46.23,and the AUC was 0.789(95%confidence interval:0.651-0.860;P<0.001).The sensitivity and specificity were 82.93%and 62.30%,respectively.In accordance with the optimal critical value of the ROC curve(46.23),193 patients were further divided into a high PNI group(PNI≤46.23,n=108)and low PNI group(PNI>46.23,n=85).The incidence of postoperative complications in the high PNI group was lower than that in the low PNI group(21.18%vs 38.96%).Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed that the overall survival rate at 5 years in the low PNI group was 87.96%(13/108),which was lower than that in the high PNI group(61.18%,33/85;P<0.05).Low PNI[hazard ratio(HR)=1.74;P=0.003]and positive incisal margin status(HR=2.14;P=0.001)were independent predictors of biological recurrence in patients with high/extremely high-risk PCa.CONCLUSION The PNI has predictive value for the prognosis of patients with high/extremely high-risk PCa,and is an independent prognostic factor.Patients with low PNI value have a shorter time of nonbiological recurrence after prostatectomy.It is expected that the combined prediction of other clinicopathological data will further improve the accuracy and guide postoperative adjuvant therapy to improve the quality of prognosis.

Nomograms as Predictive Tools for Prostate Cancer Patients Who Had Radical Prostatectomy

Prostate cancer is the most common solid cancer for men in the developed countries. Radical prostatectomy is the most preferred treatment modality for localized prostate cancer. Individual decision making is necessary for each patient because of the diversities in the biological characteristics of the prostate cancer. The prediction of pathologic stage, prognosis and cancer specific mortality after curative therapy and quality of life issues are essential for counseling and tailoring treatment in possible candidates of radical prostatectomy. Several studies demonstrated that nomograms are the best predictive tools regarding the other prediction models. For better understanding the nomograms in radical prostatectomy patients, they should be classified according to categories for their use. PSA, Gleason grade and clinical stage are seemed to be the most important prognostic factors in patients who are candidates for radical prostatectomy. Additionally, the pathological parameters are remarkable prognostic criteria. The Partin tables for predicting the radical prostatectomy pathology and Kattan nomograms for predicting the biochemical recurrences free survival rates are the most frequently used nomograms. Today, these nomograms should not replace the clinical decisions but they give significant information for the patients’ prognosis, treatment selection and follow up.

Prognostic value of Controlling Nutritional Status score for postoperative complications and biochemical recurrence in prostate cancer patients undergoing laparoscopic radical prostatectomy

Background:Controlling Nutritional Status(CONUT)score was used for screening the preoperative nutritional status.The correlation between the CONUT score and the prognosis of patients with prostate cancer(PCa)has yet to be elucidated.Herein,we analyzed the prognostic value of CONUT scores in patients with PCa who underwent laparoscopic radical prostatectomy.Materials and methods:Data of 244 patients were retrospectively evaluated.Perioperative variables and follow-up data were analyzed.The patients were categorized into 2 groups according to their preoperative CONUT scores.Postoperative complication and incontinence rates were also compared.The Kaplan-Meier method was used to estimate the median biochemical recurrence-free survival(BCRFS)between the 2 groups.Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses were performed to identify the potential prognostic factors for BCRFS.Results:Patients were categorized into the low-CONUT group(CONUT score<3,n=207)and high-CONUT group(CONUT score≥3,n=37).The high-CONUT group had a higher overall complication rate(40.5%vs.19.3%,p=0.004),a higher major complication rate(10.8%vs.3.9%,p=0.013),and longer postoperative length of stay(8 days vs.7 days,p=0.017).More fever,urinary infection,abdominal infection,scrotal edema,rash,and hemorrhagic events(all p values<0.05)were observed in the high-CONUT group.A higher rate of urinary incontinence was observed in the high-CONUT group at 1(34.4%vs.13.2%,p=0.030)and 3 months(24.1%vs.8.2%,p=0.023)postoperatively.The high-CONUT group had shorter medium BCRFS(23.8 months vs.54.6 months,p=0.029),and a CONUT score≥3 was an independent risk factor for a shorter BCRFS(hazards ratio,1.842;p=0.026).Conclusions:The CONUT score is a useful predictive tool for higher postoperative complication rates and shorter BCRFS in patients with PCa who undergo laparoscopic radical prostatectomy.

First 100 cases of transvesical single-port robotic radical prostatectomy

Objective:To describe the surgical technique and report the early outcomes of the transvesical(TV)approach to single-port(SP)robot-assisted radical prostatectomy.Methods:All procedures were performed at a single center by one surgeon.We identified the first 100 consecutive patients with clinically localized prostate cancer that underwent SP TV robot-assisted radical prostatectomy using the da Vinci SP robotic surgical system.Data were collected prospectively and analyzed with descriptive statistics.The primary outcomes assessed were postoperative urinary continence,rate of biochemical recurrence,and sexual function.Results:All procedures were performed without extra ports or conversion.The median age was 62.1 years and 49.0%of the patients had abdominal surgery history.The preoperative median prostate-specific antigen value and prostate volume were 5.0 ng/mL and 33.0 mL,respectively.There were no intraoperative complications.The median operative time and estimated blood loss were 212.5 min and 100.0 mL,respectively.A total of 92.0%of patients were discharged within 24.0 h,with an overall median length of stay of 5.6 h.Only 4.0%of patients required opioid prescriptions at discharge.The median Foley catheter duration was 3 days.Positive margins were present in 15.0%of cases.Median follow-up was 10.4 months.Continence rate was immediate after Foley removal in 49.0%of cases,65.0%at 2 weeks,77.4%at 6 weeks,94.1%at 6 months,and 98.9%at 1 year.One case of biochemical recurrence(1.0%)was noted 3 months after surgery.Conclusion:The SP TV approach for radical prostatectomy cases is a safe and feasible technique for patients with clinically localized prostate cancer.This technique offers advantages of short hospital stay,minimal narcotic use postoperatively,and promising early return of urinary continence,without compromising oncologic outcomes.

Clinicopathological and oncological significance of persistent prostate-specific antigen after radical prostatectomy:A systematic review and meta-analysis

Objective:To investigate the association of persistently elevated prostate-specific antigen(PSA)after radical prostatectomy(RP)with clinicopathological features and long-term oncological prognosis for the development of a potential management strategy.Methods:A systematic literature search was performed using PubMed and Web of Science up to June 2021 to identify the eligible studies focusing on understanding the impact of persistent PSA in patients who underwent RP for localized prostate cancer.Meta-analyses were performed on parameters with available information.Results:A total of 32 RP studies were identified,of which 11 included 26719 patients with consecutive cohorts and the remaining 21 comprised 24177 patients with cohorts carrying specific restrictions.Of the 11 studies with consecutive cohorts,the incidence of persistent PSA varied between 3.1%and 34.6%with a median of 11.0%.Meta-analyses revealed patients with persistent PSA consistently showed unfavorable clinicopathological features and a more than 3.5-fold risk of poorer biochemical recurrence,metastasis,and prostate cancer-specific mortality prognosis independently,when compared to patients with undetectable PSA.Similarly,cases with persistent PSA in different specific patient cohorts with a higher risk of prostate cancer also showed a trend of worse outcomes.Conclusion:We found that the frequency of persistent PSA was about 11.0%in consecutive RP cohorts.Persistent PSA was significantly associated with unfavorable clinicopathological characteristics and worse oncological outcomes.Patients with persistent PSA after RP may benefit from early salvage treatment to delay or prevent biochemical recurrence,improving oncological outcomes for these patients.Further prospective randomized controlled trials are warranted to understand optimal systemic therapy in these patients.

Three-dimensional automatic artificial intelligence driven augmented-reality selective biopsy during nerve-sparing robot-assisted radical prostatectomy:A feasibility and accuracy study

Objective:To evaluate the accuracy of our new three-dimensional(3D)automatic augmented reality(AAR)system guided by artificial intelligence in the identification of tumour’s location at the level of the preserved neurovascular bundle(NVB)at the end of the extirpative phase of nerve-sparing robot-assisted radical prostatectomy.Methods:In this prospective study,we enrolled patients with prostate cancer(clinical stages cT1ce3,cN0,and cM0)with a positive index lesion at target biopsy,suspicious for capsular contact or extracapsular extension at preoperative multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging.Patients underwent robot-assisted radical prostatectomy at San Luigi Gonzaga Hospital(Orbassano,Turin,Italy),from December 2020 to December 2021.At the end of extirpative phase,thanks to our new AAR artificial intelligence driven system,the virtual prostate 3D model allowed to identify the tumour’s location at the level of the preserved NVB and to perform a selective excisional biopsy,sparing the remaining portion of the bundle.Perioperative and postoperative data were evaluated,especially focusing on the positive surgical margin(PSM)rates,potency,continence recovery,and biochemical recurrence.Results:Thirty-four patients were enrolled.In 15(44.1%)cases,the target lesion was in contact with the prostatic capsule at multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging(Wheeler grade L2)while in 19(55.9%)cases extracapsular extension was detected(Wheeler grade L3).3D AAR guided biopsies were negative in all pathological tumour stage 2(pT2)patients while they revealed the presence of cancer in 14 cases in the pT3 cohort(14/16;87.5%).PSM rates were 0%and 7.1%in the pathological stages pT2 and pT3(<3 mm,Gleason score 3),respectively.Conclusion:With the proposed 3D AAR system,it is possible to correctly identify the lesion’s location on the NVB in 87.5%of pT3 patients and perform a 3D-guided tailored nerve-sparing even in locally advanced diseases,without compromising the oncological safety in terms of PSM rates.

Laparoscopic radical prostatectomy： oncological and functional results of 126 patients with a minimum 3-year follow-up at a single Chinese institute

In this study we evaluate the oncological and functional results of the largest cohort of patients in China treated by laparoscopic radical prostatectomy （LRP） and with at least 3 years of follow-up. 126 inconsecutive patients （range 56-78 years, median 62.5） who had an LRP were retrospectively analyzed. The mean prostate specific antigen level and Gleason score was 13.4 ng mL^-1 and 6.4, respectively. Twenty-seven patients had unilateral or bilateral nerve preservation and 29 had pelvic lymphadenectomy. Multivariate analysis was used to adjust for differences in clinical and pathological features when comparing the risk for biochemical progression-free survival （bPFS）. Urinary continence was assessed by incontinence questionnaire and erectile function by the Sexual Health Inventory for Men score. The mean operative duration was 250 min and blood loss 354 mL. Five patients received blood transfusion and nine had complications, including rectal injury （two）, ureteral injury （one）, active bleeding （one）, bladder neck stenosis （two）, paralytic ileus （one）, subcutaneous hematoma （one） and port-site hernia （one）. The overall positive surgical margin rate was 20.6% and correlated with pathological stage and Gleason score respectively （P = 0.03, P 〈 0.001 respectively）. All patients had 〉 3 years of follow-up （range 3-6.75 years, mean 4.6, median 4.75）. At 3 years of follow-up, the overall survival rate was 100% and the bPFS was 81.0% in all patients; 124 patients （98.4%） were continent; 22 of 27 patients （81.5%） who underwent nerve preservation retained erectile function. Our series confirms that LRP is an effective, safe and precise technique at Chinese institution.

Outcomes after robot-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy

Robot-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy （RALRP） using the da Vinci surgical system is now in widespread use in many countries where economic conditions allow the installation of this expensive technology. Controversy has surrounded the procedure since it was first performed in 2000, with many critics highlighting the lack of evidence to support its use. However, despite the lack of level I evidence, many large studies of patients have confirmed that the procedure is feasible and safe, with low morbidity. Available longer-term oncological data seem to show that outcomes from the robotic approach at least match those of traditional open radical prostatectomy. Functional outcomes also seem satisfactory, although randomized controlled trials are lacking. This paper reviews the current status of RALRP with respect to perioperative data and complications and oncologic and functional outcomes.

Perioperative complications of radical retropubic prostatectomy in patients with locally advanced prostate cancer： a comparison with clinically localized prostate cancer

Radical prostatectomy （RP） continues to be an effective surgical therapy for prostate carcinoma, particularly for organ-confined prostate cancer （PCa）. Recently, RP has also been used in the treatment of locally advanced prostate cancer. However, little research has been performed to elucidate the perioperative complications associated with RP in patients with clinically localized or locally advanced PCa. We sought to analyse the incidence of complications in these two groups after radical retropubic prostatectomy （RRP）. From June 2002 to July 2010, we reviewed 379 PCa patients who underwent RRP in our hospital. Among these cases, 196 had clinically localized PCa （Tla-T2c group 1）, and 183 had locally advanced PCa （ ≥ T3,： group 2）. The overall complication incidence was 21.9%, which was lower than other studies have reported. Perioperative complications in patients with locally advanced PCa mirror those in patients with clinically localized PCa （26.2% vs. 17.8%, P=0.91）. Our results showed that perioperative complications could not be regarded as a factor to consider in regarding RP in patients with cT3 or greater.

Magnetic resonance imaging for prostate cancer before radical and salvage radiotherapy: What radiation oncologists need to know

External beam radiotherapy(EBRT) is one of the principal curative treatments for patients with prostate cancer(PCa). Risk group classification is based on prostate-specific antigen(PSA) level, Gleason score, and T-stage. After risk group determination, the treatment volume and dose are defined and androgen deprivation therapy is prescribed, if appropriate. Traditionally, imaging has played only a minor role in T-staging due to the low diagnostic accuracy of conventional imaging strategies such as transrectal ultrasound, computed tomography, and morphologic magnetic resonance imaging(MRI). As a result, a notable percentage of tumours are understaged, leading to inappropriate and imprecise EBRT. The development of multiparametric MRI(mp MRI), an imaging technique that combines morphologic studies with functional diffusion-weighted sequences and dynamic contrastenhanced imaging, has revolutionized the diagnosis and management of PCa. As a result, mpM RI is now used in staging PCa prior to EBRT, with possible implications for both risk group classification and treatment decisionmaking for EBRT. mpM RI is also being used in salvageradiotherapy(SRT), the treatment of choice for patients who develop biochemical recurrence after radical prostatectomy. In the clinical context of biochemical relapse, it is essential to accurately determine the site of recurrence-pelvic(local, nodal, or bone) or distant-in order to select the optimal therapeutic management approach. Studies have demonstrated the value of mpM RI in detecting local recurrences-even in patients with low PSA levels(0.3-0.5 ng/m L)-and in diagnosing bone and nodal metastasis. The main objective of this review is to update the role of mpM RI prior to radical EBRT or SRT. We also consider future directions for the use and development of MRI in the field of radiation oncology.

LAPAROSCOPIC RADICAL PROSTATECTOMY:INITINAL EXPREIENCE OF 23 CASES IN SUN YAT-SEN UNIVERSITY

Objective: To report our prelimilary experience of laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (LRP) for clinically localized prostatic cancer.Methods:23 cases with localized prostatic cancer underwent LRP in our institution from October 2000 to August 2003. The median age was 64.5 years old, the median PSA was 13 ng/ml and median Gleason score of biopsy specimens was < 7. The operations were performed according to Montsouris technique. Briefly, operations were carried out transperitonealty, combining posterior and anterior approachs to the prostate, transecting the bladder neck, lateral dissection of the prostate, urcthrovesical anastomosis, completing the operation.Results:No death and no conversion rate were observed in this series of 23 cases of LRP. No re-intervention was needed. The median operating time was 325 minutes (range 270 to 660 min) including the lymphadenectomy phase that was considered necessary in the case whose PSA value was 51ng/ml and pathological reading was negative to thoses lymph nodes; The median intraoperative blood loss was 430 ml(rang 200 to 1100 ml). Postoperative bladder catheterization time was 20 days. Surgical positive margin was found in I case of pathlogical stage of pT 2b and Casodex 50 mg had been used on this case for 3 mon after the PSA value was < 0.2 ng/ml. Postoperation follow-up of 3 to 24 mo. showed no signs of complications such as urethral stricture or urine incontinence. The PSA concentrations was < 0.3 ng/ml in all cases.Conclusions: LRP provides a clear and magnified anatomical image to allow a more precise and safer dissection.

Effect of puboprostatic ligament preservation during robotic-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy on early continence:Randomized controlled trial

Objective:To prove the effectiveness of puboprostatic ligament-preserving robotic-assisted laparoscopic radical(RARP)on enhancing early continence.Methods:Ninety-two patients with localized adenocarcinoma of the prostate scheduled for RARP from April 2018 to January 2019 were prospectively single-blinded and randomized into two groups,standard RARP(Group A)and puboprostatic ligament-sparing RARP(Group B).The outcomes were continent status at Foley catheter removal and 3 months after surgery using the score from the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-Urinary Incontinence Short Form(ICIQ-UI SF),pad usage,pathological margin status,blood loss,operative time,and complications.Results:Ninety-six patients were randomized(46 patients in each group),with a mean±SD age of 67.30±6.07 years.There were no differences in baseline characteristics.At 3 months after surgery,ICIQ-UI SF score(mean±SD)in Group A was significantly higher than Group B(8.74±4.28 vs.6.93±3.96,p=0.038)but no difference at Foley catheter removal.Group A also had a significant higher score for interference with daily life(median[interquartile range,IQR]:4[1,5]vs.2[0,4];p=0.041)and higher pad use(median[IQR]:2[0,3]vs.1[1,2];p=0.041)at 3 months.One case in Group A had complete or severe incontinence(>5 pads/day)at 3 months.Groups A and B did not exhibit significant difference in margin status(p=0.828).There were no differences in operative time,blood loss,drain output or complications.Conclusions:Use of puboprostatic ligament-sparing RARP could be a method to accelerate early continence without affecting the final oncological outcome.

Comparison of functional outcomes after retropubic, laparoscopic and robot-assisted radical prostatectomy: A meta-analysis

AIM: To assess the 6-mo and 12-mo functional outcomes after retropubic, laparoscopic and robot-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy retropubic radical prostatectomy(RRP) laparoscopic radical prostatectomy(LRP); robot-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy(RARP). METHODS: A literature search was conducted using the Pub Med, EMBASE, The Cochrane Library and the Web of Knowledge databases updated to March, 2014 for relevant published studies. After data extraction and quality assessment via the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale or the Cochrane collaboration's tool for assessing risk ofbias, meta-analysis was performed using Rev Man 5.1. Either a random-effects model or a fixed-effects model was used. Potential publication bias was assessed using visual inspection of the funnel plots, and verified by the Egger linear regression test. RESULTS: Thirty-seven studies were identified in total: 14 articles comparing LRP with RRP, 12 articles comparing RARP with RRP, and 11 articles comparing RARP with LRP. For urinary continence, a statistically significant advantage was observed in RARP compared with LRP or RRP both at 6 mo [odds ratio(OR) = 1.93; P < 0.01, OR = 2.23; P < 0.05, respectively] and 12 mo(OR = 1.47; P < 0.01, OR = 2.93; P < 0.01, respectively) postoperatively. The continence recovery rates after LRP and RRP, with obvious heterogeneity(6-mo: I2 = 74%; 12-mo: I2 = 75%), were equivalent(6-mo: P = 0.52; 12-mo: P = 0.75). In terms of potency recovery, for the first time, we ranked the three surgical approaches into a superiority level: RARP > LRP > RRP, with a statistically significant difference at 12 mo [RARP vs LRP(OR = 1.99; P < 0.01); RARP vs RRP(OR = 2.66; P < 0.01); LRP vs RRP(OR = 1.34; P < 0.05)], respectively. Meta-regression and subgroup analyses according to adjustment of the age, body mass index, prostate volume, Gleason score or prostate-specific antigen did not vary significantly. CONCLUSION: Current evidence suggests that minimally invasive approaches(RARP or LRP) are effective procedures for functional recovery. However, more high-quality randomized control trials investigating the long-term functional outcomes are needed.

Cytoreductive radical prostatectomy after chemohormonal therapy in patients with primary metastatic prostate cancer

Objective:Cytoreductive radical prostatectomy(cRP)has been proposed as local treatment option in metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer(mHSPC)to prevent local complications and potentially improve oncological outcomes.In this study,we examined the feasibility of a multimodal concept with primary chemohormonal therapy followed by cRP and analyzed prostate size reduction under systemic treatment,postoperative complication rates,as well as early postoperative continence.Methods:In this retrospective study,38 patients with mHSPC underwent cRP after primary chemohormonal therapy(3-monthly luteinising hormone-releasing hormone-analogue+six cycles 3-weekly docetaxel 75 mg/m2)at two centers between September 2015 and December 2018.Results:Overall,10(26%)patients had high volume and 28(74%)patients had low volume disease at diagnosis,according to CHAARTED definition.Median prostate-specific antigen(PSA)decreased from 65 ng/mL(interquartile range[IQR]35.0-124.5 ng/mL)pre-chemotherapy to 1 ng/mL(IQR 0.3-1.7 ng/mL)post-chemotherapy.Prostate gland volume was significantly reduced by a median of 50%(IQR 29%-56%)under chemohormonal therapy(p=0.003).Postoperative histopathology showed seminal vesicle invasion in 33(87%)patients and negative surgical margins in 17(45%)patients.Severe complications(Grade 3 according to Clavien-Dindo)were observed in 4(11%)patients within 30 days.Continence was reached in 87%of patients after 1 month and in 92%of patients after 6 months.Median time to castration-resistance from begin of chemohormonal therapy was 41.1 months and from cRP was 35.9 months.Postoperative PSA-nadir≤1 ng/mL versus>1 ng/mL was a significant predictor of time to castration-resistance after cRP(median not reached versus 5.3 months;p<0.0001).Conclusion:We observed a reduction of prostate volume under chemohormonal therapy going along with a low postoperative complication and high early continence rate.However,the oncologic benefit from cRP is still under evaluation.

Impact of tertiary Gleason pattern 5 on prostate cancer aggressiveness:Lessons from a contemporary single institution radical prostatectomy series

Objective:To better evaluate tertiary Gleason pattern reporting and to evaluate the impact of tertiary Gleason pattern 5(TP5)on prostate cancer pathological features and biochemical recurrence at our large single institution.Methods:We retrospectively reviewed 1962 patients who underwent radical prostatectomy(RP)for prostate cancer;TP5 was reported in 159 cases(8.1%).Men with Gleason score(GS)7 and GS 8 disease were divided into subgroups with and without TP5,and histopathological features were compared.Multivariate analyses were conducted to assess the impact on TP5 on biochemical-free survival(BFS).Results:Tumors possessing GS 3+4 with TP5 were more likely to exhibit extraprostatic extension(EPE)and had a larger tumor diameter(TD)than GS 3+4 alone.GS 3+4 with TP5 was also associated with positive surgical margins(SM),seminal vesicle involvement(SVI),and higher pre-operative prostate-specific antigen(PSA)values,but without statistical significance.GS 4+3 with TP5 more commonly presented with EPE,positive SM,SVI,and greater TD and pre-operative PSA level than GS 4+3 alone.In multivariate analysis,Gleason score,EPE,and TP5 were overall independent risk factors for PSA recurrence in this cohort.Additionally,GS 4+3 with TP5 was associated with shorter time to recurrence versus GS 4+3 alone.Conclusion:Our results emphasize the importance of TP5 and suggest that criteria for tertiary pattern reporting in prostate cancer should be standardized.Further studies are needed to evaluate the role of tertiary patterns in prognostic models.

Robotic assisted radical prostatectomy accelerates postoperative stress recovery: Final results of a contemporary prospective study assessing pathophysiology of cortisol peri-operative kinetics in prostate cancer surgery

Objective:To investigate the effects of prostate cancer(PCa)surgery on the stress system and to identify potential independent factors associating with stress recovery.Methods:The design of the study was prospective and PCa surgery included robot assisted radical prostatectomy(RARP)or retropubic radical prostatectomy(RRP).Between February 2013 to December 2014,315 consecutive patients were evaluated.The effects of PCa surgery on the stress system were measured by cortisol serum levels before and after surgery on postoperative day(POD)0,1,3,5 and 45.Cortisol variations in the population and subpopulation(RARP vs.RRP)of patients were investigated by statistical methods.Factors associating with stress recovery were assessed by simple linear regression(SLR)and multiple linear regression(MLR)analysis.Results:RARP was performed in 75.9%of cases.In the patient population,there were wide serum cortisol perioperative variations.PCa surgery triggered the stress system which immediately(POD 0)responded by cortisol overproduction which induced the negative feedback mechanism that started on POD 1,continued on POD 3,was still ongoing on POD 5 and completely settled on POD 45(stress recovery).In the subpopulation of patients,significantly lower cortisol serum levels were detected on POD 3e5 in RARP cases inwhomcortisol levels were close to preoperative levels(stress recovery)on POD 5.Independent predictive factors of serum cortisol on POD 5(stress recovery)were preoperative cortisol(p Z 0.02),cortisol levels on POD 3(p<0.0001)and RARP(p Z 0.03)in which the association was negative(stress recovery faster than RRP).Conclusion:Our study shows that PCa surgery immediately(POD 0)triggers the stress system which respond by overproduction of cortisol which induces the negative feedback mechanism that starts on POD 1,is still ongoing on POD 5,but is completely settled on POD 45.Moreover,after surgical trauma,our study gives evidence that the RARP procedure associates with stress recovery faster than RRP.Further confirmatory studies are required.