Site-specific positive margins at radical prostatectomy: Assessing cancer-control benefits of wide excision of the neurovascular bundle on a side with cancer on biopsy

E. L. Park, B. Dalkin, C. Escobar, R. B. Nagle

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

30 Scopus citations

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To determine the potential risk of biopsy-selected nerve-sparing surgery based on the findings of site-specific extracapsular extension (ECE) and positive surgical margins (PSMs) in the area of the neurovascular bundle in radical prostatectomy specimens. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Controlling for surgical technique and pathological interpretation, 221 consecutive patients had their neurovascular bundles removed on the side with a positive biopsy. The surgical specimens were reviewed for ECE and PSM status, specifically in the area of the neurovascular bundle, from apex to base. RESULTS: Of the 221 patients, 38% had ECE and 43 (20%) had a PSM in the area of the neurovascular bundle. This equates to a ratio of 51% for PSM/ECE. An additional 42 men (18%) had ECE with negative margins, but would have been at potential risk for PSMs if the neurovascular bundle had been preserved. CONCLUSION: Preserving the neurovascular bundle on the side with a positive biopsy could result in a significantly greater incidence of PSM than with wide excision. Optimizing cancer control may require excision of the neurovascular bundle on a side known to have cancer on biopsy. In future site-specific analyses, the PSM/ECE ratio could be used as a marker comparing cancer-control outcomes from studies with differing technical approaches and indications for nerve-sparing surgery.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)219-222
Number of pages4
JournalBJU International
Volume91
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - Feb 2003

Keywords

  • Nerve-sparing surgery
  • Outcome
  • Prostate cancer
  • Surgical margins

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Urology

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