Cancer Progression and Survival Rates Following Anatomical Radical Retropubic Prostatectomy in 3,478 Consecutive Patients: Long-Term Results

PURPOSE: We updated a long-term cancer control outcome in a large anatomical radical retropubic prostatectomy (RRP) series. We also evaluated the perioperative parameters that predict cancer specific outcomes following surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From May 1983 to February 2003, 1 surgeon (WJC) performed RRP in 3,478 consecutive men. Patients were followed with semiannual serum prostate specific antigen (PSA) tests and annual digital rectal examinations. We used Kaplan-Meier product limit estimates to calculate actuarial 10-year probabilities of biochemical progression-free survival, cancer specific survival and overall survival. Multivariate Cox proportional hazards models were used to determine independent perioperative predictors of cancer progression. RESULTS: At a mean followup of 65 months (range 0 to 233) actuarial 10-year biochemical progression-free, cancer specific and overall survival probabilities were 68%, 97% and 83%, respectively. On multivariate analysis biochemical progression-free survival probability was significantly associated with preoperative PSA, clinical tumor stage, Gleason sum, pathological stage and treatment era. Cancer specific survival and overall survival rates were also significantly associated with clinicopathological parameters. CONCLUSIONS: RRP can be performed with excellent survival outcomes. Favorable clinicopathological parameters and treatment in the PSA era are associated with improved cancer control.