The Role of Salvage Radical Prostatectomy in Patients with Radiation-Resistant Prostate Cancer

Abstract

There are multiple treatment strategies for patients with localized prostate adenocarcinoma. In intermediate- and high-risk patients, external beam radiation therapy demonstrates effective long-term cancer control rates comparable to radical prostatectomy. In patients who opt for initial radiotherapy but have a local recurrence of their cancer, there is no unanimity on the optimal salvage approach. The lack of randomized trials comparing surgery to other local salvage therapy or observation makes it difficult to ascertain the ideal management. A narrative review of existing prospective and retrospective data related to salvage radical prostatectomy after radiation therapy was undertaken. Based on retrospective and prospective data, post-radiation salvage radical prostatectomy confers oncologic benefits, with overall survival ranging from 84 to 95% at 5 years and from 52 to 77% at 10 years. Functional morbidity after salvage prostatectomy remains high, with rates of post-surgical incontinence and erectile dysfunction ranging from 21 to 93% and 28 to 100%, respectively. Factors associated with poor outcomes after post-radiation salvage prostatectomy include preoperative PSA, the Gleason score, post-prostatectomy staging, and nodal involvement. Salvage radical prostatectomy represents an effective treatment option for patients with biochemical recurrence after radiotherapy, although careful patient selection is important to optimize oncologic and functional outcomes.