Incidental prostate cancer at holmium laser enucleation of prostate

The purpose of this study was to describe the current incidence, risk factors, and management of incidental diagnosis of prostate cancer (iPCa) among patients who underwent holmium laser enucleation of prostate (HoLEP) and have no history of prostate cancer.

We conducted a retrospective review of all patients who underwent HoLEP in our institution between 2013-2020. All patients were offered a PSA screening according to the latest guidelines. We gathered demographic data, perioperative information, and pathologic evaluation. For patients diagnosed with iPCa, we gathered work up, management, and oncologic outcome. We then conducted a univariate and multivariate analysis to find predictive factors for the diagnosis of incidental cancer.

The cohort included 777 patients, among them 55 (7.1%) patients with iPCa. The median age of the entire cohort was 71 years, median PSA was 3.9 mg/dL, and median prostate volume of 96 mL. Of those with iPCa, 34 (61.8%) patients had grade-group (GG) 1. Larger prostate size was found to be protective against iPCa, with a 13% risk reduction for every increment of 10 mL in prostate size. For prostates smaller than 100 mL, iPCa rate was 12.6%. Older age and smaller prostate volume were found to predict GG2-and-above iPCa.

iPCa at HoLEP is rare, with clinically significant cancer being even rarer. Smaller preoperative prostate was found to be a predictive factor for iPCa. Our results provide an insight into the current risk and predictive factors to iPCa and can be used to guide surgeons and patients in the preoperative recommendations and informed consent process.