The factors predicting biochemical recurrence in patients with radical prostatectomy

The main objective of this study was to evaluate the factors predicting recurrence in patients who underwent radical prostatectomy (RP) for localized prostate cancer.

A total of 275 patients who underwent RP between 2000 and 2012 years in our clinic were evaluated retrospectively and 238 patients who met our criteria were included in the study. The effect of PSA values at diagnosis in addition the histopathological variables on the risk of recurrence was evaluated. Biochemical recurrence (BCR) is defined as "an increase of > 0.2 ng/ml or more in the serum total PSA count". The statistical analysis of this study was done using SPSS for Windows Version 15.0 package program. Values below p < 0.05 are accepted as statistically significant.

The mean follow up, age and PSA of patients were 37,2 months, 66,01 ± 6,85 years and 11,12 ng/ml, respectively. BCR rate was 28% (68/238). Univariate analysis revealed that PSA levels during initial diagnosis (p < 0.0001), Gleason score (GS) (p < 0.0001), prostatic capsule involvement (p < 0.005), extracapsular extension (p = 0.0001), seminal vesicle involvement (p < 0.003) and surgical margin positivity (p < 0.014) were significant factors in predicting recurrence, while multivariate analysis showed that PSA at initial diagnosis (p = 0.002) and GS (p = 0.003) were independent prognostic factors. PSA > 10 ng/ml and Gleason score > 7 are considered as the risk factors for BCR.

Our study results showed that PSA value during initial diagnosis as well as Gleason score were independent factors in predicting BCR following radical prostatectomy.