Felix Preisser

High Chance of Late Recovery of Urinary and Erectile Function Beyond 12 Months After Radical Prostatectomy

Urinary incontinence (UI) and erectile dysfunction (ED) after radical prostatectomy (RP) can impose a strong burden. While most studies focus on certain time points after RP when analyzing functional outcome, there is paucity of evidence on late functional recovery in patients with UI or ED at 12 mo after RP. Using longitudinal patient data from a large European single-center, we show that the chance of regaining continence among patients (n=974) with UI (≥1 pad/24h) at 12 mo after RP was 38.6% after 24 mo and 49.7% after 36 mo. The corresponding rates for patients (n=1115) with ED (defined as International Index of Erectile Function-5 score <18) at 12 mo after RP were 30.8% at 24 mo and 36.5% at 36 mo after RP. Patients with postoperative UI or ED 12 mo after RP should be counseled about their good chance of achieving continence or potency in the course of time. PATIENT SUMMARY We analyzed the probability of functional recovery among patients with urinary incontinence (UI) and erectile dysfunction (ED) 12 mo after radical prostatectomy. We found that up to 49.7% (36.5%) of patients with UI (ED) regain function within the next 24 mo and should be informed about these encouraging numbers.

Adjuvant radiation therapy is associated with better oncological outcome compared with salvage radiation therapy in patients with pN1 prostate cancer treated with radical prostatectomy

To analyse the comparative effectiveness of no treatment (NT) or salvage radiation therapy (sRT) at biochemical recurrence (BCR) vs adjuvant radiation therapy (aRT) in patients with lymph node (LN)‐positive prostate cancer (PCa) after radical prostatectomy (RP).

Short- and Long-term Functional Outcomes and Quality of Life after Radical Prostatectomy: Patient-reported Outcomes from a Tertiary High-volume Center

BACKGROUND Results from population-based studies and the Prostate Testing for Cancer and Treatment trial reported worse urinary continence (UC) and erectile function (EF) for radical prostatectomy (RP) patients compared with their radiation or active surveillance counterparts. OBJECTIVE To investigate functional outcomes for patients undergoing RP in a high-volume center. DATA, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS A total of 8573 consecutive RP patients (2008-2012) were analyzed. INTERVENTION RP. OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS AND STATISTICAL ANALYSIS Standardized questionnaires assessing EF, UC, and quality of life (QoL), were completed at baseline and annually thereafter. UC was defined as use of 0 or 1 safety pad/d, whereas the regular use of 1 pad/d was considered incontinent. EF was defined as ≥3 points in the International Index of Erectile Function question two. QoL was assessed using the EORTC-QLQ-C30 Global Health/QoL item. Statistics relied on comparison of means and proportions. RESULTS AND LIMITATIONS EF and UC rates significantly decreased after RP. Overall, 12-mo, 24-mo, and 36-mo EF rates were 45%, 51%, and 53%, but reached up to 65.7% in preoperatively potent patients with bilateral nerve sparing. At 36 mo, 13% reported problems in their partnership. However, at the same time point, 77% were satisfied with their sexual intercourse. UC rates were 89.1%, 91.3%, and 89.0% at 12-mo, 24-mo, and 36-mo postoperatively. Mean EORTC-QLQ-C30 scores ranged from 74 to 79 and remained constant compared to baseline. CONCLUSIONS Although varying definitions hinder direct comparisons to other studies, functional outcomes seemed favorable for patients undergoing RP in a high-volume center and most patients reported excellent QoL. PATIENT SUMMARY Results of functional outcomes (urinary continence and potency) after radical prostatectomy are better in a high-volume center compared with those obtained from population-based data, and most patients report excellent quality of life after radical prostatectomy.

Extent of lymph node dissection improves survival in prostate cancer patients treated with radical prostatectomy without lymph node invasion

To assess the effect of pelvic lymph node dissection (PLND) extent on cancer‐specific mortality (CSM) in prostate cancer (PCa) patients without lymph node invasion (LNI) treated with radical prostatectomy (RP).

Contemporary Trends and Survival Outcomes After Aborted Radical Prostatectomy in Lymph Node Metastatic Prostate Cancer Patients

BACKGROUND Aborted radical prostatectomy (aRP) in lymph node (LN) metastatic (pN1) prostate cancer (PCa) patients showed worse survival in European patients. Contemporary rates of aRP are unknown in North America. OBJECTIVE To examine the rate of aRP and its effect on cancer-specific mortality (CSM) in contemporary North American patients. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS Within the Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results database (2004-2014), we identified 3719 pN1 PCa patients. INTERVENTION RP. OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS AND STATISTICAL ANALYSIS Incidence proportion and median survival of LN metastatic PCa patients who underwent aRP versus completed RP (cRP). Cumulative incidence plots and competing-risks regression (CRR) models tested CSM and other-cause mortality rates according to aRP versus cRP. The effect of selected variables on CSM rate was graphically depicted using LOESS methodology. All analyses were repeated after propensity score matching. RESULTS AND LIMITATIONS Between 2004 and 2014, the rate of aRP decreased from 20.4% to 5.6% (p<0.001). Ten-year CSM rates were significantly higher after aRP (38.9% vs 21.6%) versus cRP (p<0.001). In multivariable CRR models, aRP yielded higher CSM (hazard ratio [HR]: 1.99) than cRP. A higher 5-yr CSM rate was recorded after aRP through the entire range of baseline prostate-specific antigen (PSA) values and in patients with up to nine LN metastases. After propensity score matching, aRP resulted in overall higher CSM (HR: 1.72). Higher CSM was recorded after aRP for PSA values up to 50ng/ml and in patients with up to seven LN metastases. Results were limited by a selection bias that applies to aRP patients. CONCLUSIONS Of contemporary North American patients, 5% are affected by aRP. It confers a significant survival disadvantage that applies to patients with baseline PSA values up to 50ng/ml and in those with up to seven LN metastases. PATIENT SUMMARY Radical prostatectomy should not be aborted in pN1 prostate cancer individuals.

Survival after Cytoreductive Nephrectomy in Metastatic Non-clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma Patients: A Population-based Study

BACKGROUND The benefit of cytoreductive nephrectomy (CNT) for cancer-specific mortality (CSM)-free survival is unclear in contemporary metastatic non-clear cell renal cell carcinoma (non-ccmRCC) patients. OBJECTIVE To assess the role of CNT in non-ccmRCC patients. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS Within Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results registry (2001-2014), we identified patients with non-ccmRCC. INTERVENTION CNT versus no CNT in non-ccmRCC patients. OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS AND STATISTICAL ANALYSIS Multivariable logistic regression, cumulative incidence, competing-risks regression models, incremental survival benefit (ISB), conditional survival, and landmark analyses were performed. Sensitivity analyses focused on histological subtypes and most contemporary patients (2010-2014). RESULTS AND LIMITATIONS Of 851 patients with non-ccmRCC, 67.6% underwent CNT. In multivariable logistic regression, year of diagnosis in contemporary (p<0.001) and intermediate (p=0.008) tertiles, as well as age ≥75 yr (p<0.001) yielded lower CNT rates. Cumulative incidence showed 2-yr CSM of 52.6% versus 77.7%, respectively, after CNT versus no CNT. CSM after CNT versus no CNT was invariably lower in all histologic subtypes and in contemporary patients. Multivariable competing-risks regression models predicting CSM favored CNT (hazard ratio [HR]: 0.38, confidence interval: 0.30-0.47, p<0.001) in all patients and in all subgroups defined by histologic subtypes (HR: 0.14-0.43, all p≤0.02), as well as in contemporary patients (HR: 0.32, p<0.001). The ISB analyses yielded statistically significant and clinically meaningful CSM-free survival benefit of +3 mo after CNT versus no CNT in individuals with observed CSM-free survival ≤24 mo. The 2-yr CSM-free survival increased from baseline of 46.1% versus 19.4% (Δ=26.7%, p<0.001) to 70.3% versus 54.4% (Δ=15.9%, p=0.005) after CNT versus no CNT, in patients that survived 12 mo, respectively. Landmark analyses rejected bias favoring CNT. Data were retrospective. CONCLUSIONS CSM is lower after CNT for non-ccmRCC in all histologic subtypes and in contemporary patients except for unproven ISB in collecting duct patients. This observation should encourage greater CNT consideration in non-ccmRCC. PATIENT SUMMARY Cytoreductive nephrectomy appears to improve survival in metastatic non-clear cell renal cell carcinoma, but it is used infrequently.

Survival benefit of local versus no local treatment for metastatic prostate cancer-Impact of baseline PSA and metastatic substages

To test whether local treatment (LT), namely radical prostatectomy (RP) or brachytherapy (BT) still confers a survival benefit versus no local treatment (NLT), when adjusted for baseline PSA (bPSA). To further examine whether the effect of LT might be modulated according to bPSA and M1 substages.

Anterior Localization of Prostate Cancer Suspicious Lesions in 1,161 Patients Undergoing Magnetic Resonance Imaging/Ultrasound Fusion Guided Targeted Biopsies

Purpose Based on findings in transrectal ultrasound guided biopsy series standard sampling of the prostate targets the posterior/peripheral zone. However, a substantial proportion of lesions that are prostate cancer suspicious and PI‐RADS™ (Prostate Imaging Reporting and Data System) 3 or greater on magnetic resonance imaging is located in the anterior segment of the prostate, requiring deeper placement and targeting of the biopsy needle. Materials and Methods Overall 1,161 patients underwent magnetic resonance imaging/ultrasound fusion guided targeted biopsy. Prostate cancer suspicious lesions on magnetic resonance imaging were dichotomized into anterior vs posterior prostate segments. Patients were stratified by the number of prior negative systematic biopsy sessions. Descriptive statistics included the frequency and proportion of multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging findings and corresponding histological results. Results Targeted biopsy was performed in 513 patients (44%) who were systematic biopsy naïve, 396 (34%) with 1 prior negative systematic biopsy and 252 (22%) with 2 or more prior negative systematic biopsies. When patients were stratified by the number of prior systematic biopsy sessions, the proportion with exclusively anterior, PI‐RADS 3 or greater lesions on magnetic resonance imaging increased from 3.5% to 9.1% (p = 0.006). Unfavorable 3 + 4 and 4 + 3 or greater primary Gleason patterns were identified in exclusively anterior vs posterior lesions in 31% vs 21% of the 448 patients, of whom 64 had exclusively anterior and 384 had posterior PI‐RADS 3 or greater lesions, respectively, on magnetic resonance imaging. Multivariable logistic regression analyses confirmed these findings. Conclusions After multiple previous negative systematic biopsy sessions the proportion of anterior lesions on magnetic resonance imaging increased. Such lesions harbored a greater amount of unfavorable prostate cancer. Therefore, image guidance for precise targeting should be considered, especially after initially negative transrectal ultrasound guided systematic biopsy.

Tumor characteristics, treatments, and oncological outcomes of prostate cancer in men aged ≤50 years: a population-based study

BackgroundTo examine clinical characteristics, treatment modalities and oncological outcomes of prostate cancer (PCa) according to young (≤50) vs. old age.MethodsOf 407,599 men with primary adenocarcinoma of the prostate within the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER)-database (2004 to 2013), 18,387 were aged ≤50 years (4.5%). Time trends, cumulative incidence, and competing risks regression (CRR) analyses tested for differences between young and old patients. Multi-variable analyses were adjusted for year of diagnosis, race, marital status, Gleason Score, clinical tumor stage, and lymph node status.ResultsYounger men had more favorable tumor characteristics: lower Gleason Score, lower median PSA, and lower rates of metastases at diagnosis compared to their older counterparts. Over time, no local treatment (NLT) rates increased, radical prostatectomy (RP), and brachytherapy (BT) rates decreased and external beam radiation (EBRT) rates remained unchanged. Moreover, the rate of de novo metastatic prostate cancer increased in young patients from 2% (2004) to 3.2% (2013) (p = 0.004). CRR models showed no difference in prostate cancer-specific mortality (PCSM) between young and old, across all local treatment types.ConclusionsYoung PCa patients have more favorable disease characteristics at presentation, are less frequently treated with RP or BT and more frequently benefit of NLT. PCSM did not differ between young and old patients. However, it is worrisome that recently more young PCa patients are diagnosed at a metastatic stage.

Comparison of Partial Versus Radical Nephrectomy Effect on Other-cause Mortality, Cancer-specific Mortality, and 30-day Mortality in Patients Older Than 75 Years

BACKGROUND Historically, partial nephrectomy (PN) showed no benefit on other-cause mortality (OCM) in elderly patients with small renal masses. OBJECTIVE To test the effect of PN versus radical nephrectomy (RN) on OCM, cancer-specific mortality (CSM), as well as 30-d mortality in patients with nonmetastatic T1a renal cell carcinoma (RCC), aged ≥75 yr old. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS Within the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results registry (2004-2014), we identified surgically treated patients with nonmetastatic pT1a RCC aged ≥75 yr. OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS AND STATISTICAL ANALYSIS We relied on propensity score (PS) matching to reduce the effect of inherent differences between PN and RN. After PS matching, cumulative incidence, multivariable competing-risks regression (CRR) and logistic regression models were used. LOESS plots graphically depicted the relation between nephrectomy type and OCM after adjustment for all the covariates. Landmark analyses at 6 mo tested for immortal time bias. RESULTS AND LIMITATIONS Of all 4541 patients, 41.6% underwent PN. After 1:1 PS matching, 2826 patients remained. In multivariable CRR models, lower OCM rates were recorded in PN patients (hazard ratio [HR]: 0.67, confidence interval [CI]: 0.54-0.84; p<0.001). LOESS plots showed lower OCM rates after PN across all examined ages. Lower CSM rates were also recorded in PN patients (HR: 0.64, CI=0.44-0.92; p=0.02). Landmark analyses rejected the hypothesis of immortal time bias. Finally, PN did not result in different 30-d mortality rates (odds ratio: 1.87; CI: 0.79-4.47; p=0.2) versus RN. Data are retrospective. CONCLUSIONS PN results in lower OCM in elderly patients with pT1a RCC. Moreover, PN does not contribute to higher CSM or 30-d mortality in patients aged ≥75 yr. In consequence, PN should be given strong consideration, even in elderly patients. PATIENT SUMMARY Partial nephrectomy (PN) may protect from renal insufficiency, hypertension, and other unfavorable health outcomes, even in elderly patients. This protective effect results in lower other-cause mortality. Moreover, PN benefits are not undermined by higher cancer-specific mortality or 30-d mortality.