Long-term outcomes of nonpalpable prostate cancer (T1c) patients treated with radical prostatectomy

PurposeVarious strategies have been used to treat patients with nonpalpable prostate cancer (T1c). As one of the treatments for this stage, a radical prostatectomy was performed and the outcomes were evaluated.MethodsBetween 1993 and 2002, 117 patients with T1c received a radical prostatectomy and their follow-up were examined by the end of 2013. Patients were classified according to risk groups using prostate-specific antigen (PSA) and Gleasson score, and outcomes of respective groups were compared.ResultsApproximately 60% of patients were in low risk group, and the remaining patients were grouped into the intermediate or high risks in half. In 22% insignificant cancer was detected. Biochemical failure occurred in 14%. One patient exhibited bone metastasis, but no deaths from prostate cancer ware observed. The five and ten year overall survival rates were 92% and 75%, respectively, and the biochemical failure-free survival rates were 92% and 89%, respectively. No different outcomes were observed for the different risk groups in the overall and biochemical failure-free survival rates. T1c tumors contain a certain range of various stages of tumors, but most patients experienced favorable outcomes.ConclusionRadical prostatectomy as monotherapy is one of the treatment option for T1c prostate cancer patients, who have a long life span and belong to intermediate or high risk groups.