Neoadjuvant strategies for prostate cancer prior to radical prostatectomy

Although definitive therapy with either radical prostatectomy or radiation therapy can be effective, the optimal treatment for prostatic adenocarcinoma remains controversial. Patients may be at significant risk for primary treatment failure even with apparent clinically localized disease. Thus, there has been increased interest in initial multimodal therapy in order to maximize the potential for cure. Neoadjuvant hormonal therapy prior to radical prostatectomy has been used for several decades and a large body of literature discusses its use; nevertheless, the current data suggest that it only decreases rates of positive surgical margins without improving prostate-specific antigen (PSA)-free or disease-free survival. Novel neoadjuvant hormonal and chemotherapeutic regimens are under investigation and may improve outcomes for patients undergoing radical prostatectomy.