New surgical approaches for clinically high-risk or metastatic prostate cancer

ABSTRACT

Introduction: A considerable number of individuals with prostate cancer (PCa) still harbor locally-advanced and metastatic disease. Although such men were initially not considered eligible for local treatment, the role of radical prostatectomy (RP) has been recently reassessed.

Areas covered: This review analyses currently published evidences regarding new surgical approaches for clinically high-risk PCa individuals, as well as the role of cytoreductive surgery in the metastatic setting. The role of robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) and extended pelvic lymph node dissection will be evaluated with regards to perioperative, oncologic, as well as functional outcomes.

Expert commentary: RARP is a feasible approach in PCa patients regardless of the presence of high-risk disease features and can achieve optimal short-term oncologic outcomes and acceptable short/intermediate-term functional outcomes, that are comparable to those reported for open RP. Extended pelvic lymph node dissection can be performed in this setting and should be recommended for all high-risk PCa patients. The overall rate of complications in contemporary men treated with RARP for high-risk disease is not negligible. Cytoreduction in the oligo-metastatic setting is feasible and relatively safe, although evidence is scarce to recommend its widespread adoption. In consequence, longer follow-up data and, ideally, randomized controlled trials are needed.

KEYWORDS:

• Functional outcomes
• high-risk
• minimally-invasive surgery
• metastatic
• oncologic outcomes
• perioperative outcomes
• prostate cancer
• robot-assisted radical prostatectomy

Declaration of interest

The authors have no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.

Additional information

Funding

This manuscript has not been funded.