A Narrative Review of Treatment Options for Patients with Node-Positive Disease After Radical Prostatectomy: Current...

Purpose of Review: In approximately 10-15% of patients with prostate cancer (PCa), pathological lymph node metastases (pN1) are detected at radical prostatectomy (RP). The aim of this review is to describe the various treatment options for pN1 patients, with a focus on the most recent evidence reported in the literature. Evidence Synthesis: Due to the lack of prospective studies, several retrospective analyses were conducted according to different types of treatment. Most common strategies are represented by observation plus early salvage radiotherapy (RT) in case of PSA rising, adjuvant androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) alone, or adjuvant RT with or without ADT. Patients with pN1 disease and favorable disease characteristics (lower T stage and ISUP ≤ 2 at RP, <3 metastatic nodes at pathology) have a similar overall mortality risk if observed with PSA testing and eventual use of early salvage RT compared to patients directly treated with adjuvant RT with or without ADT. While conflicting results in terms of survival benefit were reported for the use of adjuvant ADT only, several studies showed an overall survival benefit in patients with pN1 disease treated with adjuvant RT when high-risk features (such as an increasing number of positive nodes, ISUP > 3) were detected at RP. Lastly, few studies analyzed the rate of adverse events following adjuvant ADT or RT, leaving the issue of treatment-related side effects still open. Summary: There is no clearly established standard of care for men with pN1 PCa, and disease characteristics should guide the choice of optimal post-operative management for these patients. Prospective data and clinical trials are clearly needed to define the most effective therapeutic strategy.