Efficacy and safety of photoselective vaporization of the prostate in patients with prostatic obstruction induced by advanced prostate cancer

SummaryObjectiveWe evaluated the efficacy and outcome of laser photoselective vaporization of prostate (PVP) in patients with voiding difficulty due to prostatic obstruction induced by advanced prostate cancer (PC).MethodsWe retrospectively studied the records of 13 patients with advanced PC and prostatic obstruction with a mean prostate volume of 65.0 ml. All of the 13 patients received PVP between 2006 and 2010 due to the symptoms of voiding difficulty or acute urinary retention (AUR; N = 10) refractory to medical treatment. Perioperative safety and functional results were evaluated.ResultsLasering time ranged from 24 to 20 minutes (mean 67 ± 26), during which 66–423 KJ (mean 172 ± 95) of laser energy was delivered. All patients could resume voiding function with a mean catheterization time of 3.0 days.ConclusionsOur preliminary results suggest that PVP is a safe and effective procedure for relieving prostatic obstruction without intraoperative blood transfusion, water intoxication, or other complications in patients with advanced prostate cancer.