Morbidity and functional outcomes of salvage radical prostatectomy for locally recurrent prostate cancer after radiation therapy.
OBJECTIVE
Few patients with locally recurrent prostate cancer after external beam (EB) or interstitial (I) radiotherapy (RT) are considered candidates for salvage radical prostatectomy (RP) due to high reported rates of major complications and urinary incontinence. We report the morbidity associated with salvage RP in 100 consecutive patients.


METHODS
From 1984 to 2003 salvage RP was performed for recurrent prostate cancer following EBRT in 58 cases, and IRT in 42 (28 retropubic) and (14 transperineal). Clinical information was obtained from a prospective database.


RESULTS
Since 1993, the major complication rate has decreased significantly (13% vs 33%, p = 0.02), including the rectal injury rate (2% vs 15%, p = 0.01). Compared with retropubic IRT and/or pre-radiotherapy pelvic lymph node dissection the risk of major complications following EBRT or transperineal IRT was significantly less (OR 0.2, p = 0.006). At 5 years an estimated 39% of patients were dry and 68% required 1 pad daily or less. A total of 23 patients with moderate-severe incontinence underwent artificial sphincter placement. The anastomotic stricture rate was 30%. The 5-year potency rate was 28% following unilateral or bilateral nerve sparing RP and 45% in previously potent patients.


CONCLUSIONS
Due to patient selection the major complication rate after salvage RP has improved significantly with time and it is similar to that of standard RP. Rates of anastomotic stricture and moderate to severe incontinence are higher than those observed after standard RP. However, most patients recover reasonable urinary continence and a substantial number of select patients recover potency. The acceptable morbidity profile of salvage RP following EBRT and transperineal IRT should persuade more physicians to consider patients for this potentially curative procedure.
Stephenson
Andrew J
AJ
Department of Urology, Sidney Kimmel Center for Prostate and Urologic Cancers, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York 10021, USA.
Scardino
Peter T
PT
Bianco
Fernando J
FJ
DiBlasio
Christopher J
CJ
Fearn
Paul A
PA
Eastham
James A
JA
D000368:Aged; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000601:surgery*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D011468:Prostatectomy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000601:surgery*; D020127:Recovery of Function; D016879:Salvage Therapy