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Updated: May 2, 2026
Retzius-Sparing Robot-Assisted Radical Prostatectomy
Published on: May 19, 2022
Radical prostatectomy or radiotherapy in high-risk prostate cancer: a systematic review and metaanalysis
Fausto Petrelli1, Ivano Vavassori2, Andrea Coinu1
1Oncology Department, Medical Oncology Unit, Azienda Ospedaliera Treviglio, Treviglio, Bergamo, Italy.
Background:
Radical prostatectomy (RP) is one of the treatment options for localized, high-risk prostate cancer (PC), but it has never been compared with external beam radiotherapy (RT), which is an alternative approach, in a large randomized trial. To compare the outcomes of patients treated with surgery versus RT, we performed a metaanalysis of available studies on this topic.
Materials And Methods:
We performed a search of MEDLINE, EMBASE, Web of Science, SCOPUS, and The Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) for randomized or observational studies that investigated overall survival (OS) and PC-specific mortality (PCSM) risks in relation to use of surgery or RT in patients with high-risk PC. Fixed- and random-effect models were fitted to estimate the summary odds ratio (OR). Between-study heterogeneity was tested using χ(2) statistics and measured using the I(2) statistic. Publication bias was evaluated using a funnel plot and Egger regression asymmetry test.
Results:
Seventeen studies were included (1 randomized and 16 retrospective). RP was associated with improved OS (OR, 0.51; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.38-0.68; P < .00001), PCSM (OR, 0.56; 95% CI, 0.37-0.85; P = .007), and non-PCSM (OR, 0.53; 95% CI, 0.35-0.8; P = .002) compared with RT. Biochemical relapse-free survival rates were similar to those of RT.
Conclusion:
Overall and cancer-specific mortality rates appear to be better with RP compared with RT in localized, high-risk PC. Surgery is also associated with a 50% decreased risk of non-PCSM compared with RT.
