[Effect of complete androgen block before radical prostatectomy for cancer of the prostate]

To evaluate the efficacy of complete androgen deprivation in downstaging advanced localized prostate cancer prior to radical prostatectomy. The study evaluated positive margins, prostate volume, PSA and histological changes.

We evaluated 22 patients with stage T2 (13 pts, 59%) and T3 (13 pts, 59%) prostate cancer treated with complete androgen deprivation for at least 3 months prior to radical prostatectomy.

PSA levels dropped in 97% (51.1-1.4 ng/dl) after treatment (p < 0.001); 20 (90%) had PSA < 3 ng/dl, including 3 cases (14%) with positive nodes; 2 cases (9%) with pT2 tumor had PSA > 3 ng/ml. The mean prostate volume dropped 33% from 52.6 to 35.2 cc (p < 0.001). Of the 22 cases, only one T2 (4%) was staged down; 10 (45.5%) had positive margins versus 17 (53%) of the control group (p > 0.05). The Gleason score increased in 19 (86%) and 90% had cytoplasmic vacuolization and pyknosis with moderate nuclear lysis in 50%.

Neoadjuvant treatment significantly reduces PSA levels and prostate volume. The decrease in PSA levels, however, does not appear to have a direct correlation with the final pathologic stage. Tumor stage changed slightly in patients with T2 tumors and no response was observed in those with T3. Patients receiving neoadjuvant therapy had a slight advantage with respect to positive margins. The histological findings were suggestive of cellular lysis.