[Transurethral resection of prostate cancer: efficacy and morbidity]

The efficacy and morbidity of transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) were evaluated in patients with urinary retention and prostatic carcinoma.

From 1990 to 1993, 30 patients with infravesical obstruction secondary to prostate cancer were treated by TURP. The results were considered good when patients were able to void and were completely continent following the procedure, whereas poor results were defined as incontinence or no relief of urethral obstruction 21 days following catheter removal.

Patient mean age was 72 years and the average weight of resected tissue ranged from 8 to 105 gms (mean 19.5 gms). The median postoperative follow-up period was 20.5 months (range 6-36 months). During this time, there were no deaths and 72.5% of the patients showed normal post-TURP micturition. Eight patients (27.5%) developed the following complications: 3 were incontinent, 6 had persistent obstruction and 1 patient had both complications. Presurgical hormone therapy, high-grade tumors and patient age under 70 years appear to be statistically related to poor outcome following TURP.

TURP is an effective treatment with a relatively low morbidity and offers a viable option for patients with symptomatic urethral obstruction due to prostate cancer.