Clinically significant prostate cancer found incidentally in radical cystoprostatectomy specimens

To review the incidence, histopathological features and clinical outcomes of patients with incidental prostate cancer found in radical cystoprostatectomy (RCP) specimens excised for bladder cancer, to determine if these cancers affected the follow-up strategy and if prostate-sparing cystectomy would be appropriate for these patients.

We retrospectively reviewed the charts of men who had a RCP for transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) of the bladder, at our institution between 1987 and 2003. Patients with a preoperative diagnosis or clinical suspicion of prostate cancer were excluded from further analysis. We identified those men with incidental prostate cancer in the RCP specimens. The patients' demographic, histopathological and clinical outcome data were collected.

In all, 217 men had RCP for TCC between 1987 and 2003; 13 were excluded from the study due to a preoperative diagnosis or clinical suspicion of prostate cancer, and 58 (28%) were found to have incidental prostate cancer. The mean (range) follow-up was 47 (6-157) months. Of these prostate cancers, 20% were of Gleason score > or = 7 and two patients developed local and metastatic prostate cancer recurrences.

Incidental prostate cancer is a relatively common finding in RCP specimens, with a significant proportion having the characteristics of clinically relevant prostate cancer. The follow-up for prostate cancer should be incorporated with that for TCC and adapted according to the grade and stage of the prostate cancer. Preserving the prostate in an attempt to decrease the morbidity after RCP carries a high risk of significant prostate cancer in the residual prostatic tissue, suggesting that prostate-sparing cystectomy should only be reserved for a highly selected group of patients.