Hidden findings: How often does Holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP) uncover prostate cancer?

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a common condition with an increasing prevalence that parallels aging. Surgical procedures involving removal of the prostate can lead to detection of incidental prostate cancer (iPCa). Following holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP), the incidence of such cases ranges from 5.6 to 23.3%. This study aims to provide a contemporary incidence of iPCa at HoLEP and associated risk factors.

A multi-national retrospective cohort analysis of 579 patients who underwent HoLEP between 2021 and 2024 was performed. Prior to HoLEP, MRI was performed in 115 (20%) patients, of which 19 were diagnosed with PCa via conventional biopsy and were excluded from analysis. Clinical, demographic, and radiologic parameters were queried to determine association with iPCa and rates of clinically significant prostate cancer (csPCa).

Of 560 HoLEP patients, 39 (7.0%) were found to have de novo PCa, of which 13 (2.3%) had csPCa at the time of surgery. Patients with iPCa were more likely to be of white race (59% vs 29%, p < 0.001), ASA Grade 3/4 (41% vs 22%, p < 0.001), and higher preoperative mean PSA (5.7 vs 4 ng/dl, p = 0.007). On multivariate analysis, only white race (OR: 1.29, p = 0.04) and HoLEP morcellation time (OR: 0.91, p = 0.03) were associated with iPCa diagnosis.

In an international HoLEP cohort, de novo PCa was detected in 7.0% of patients, with only 2.3% harboring clinically significant (≥ GG2) disease. Higher proportions of white men, men with ASA 3/4, and higher preoperative mean PSA were observed in iPCa. These data are valuable for appropriate preoperative patient counseling.