The role of repeat transurethral resection in stage A1 carcinoma of the prostate.

Between 1983 and 1987 repeat transurethral resection (TUR) was performed in 20 patients with a diagnosis of stage A1 prostatic carcinoma. The average weight of the resected tissue in the repeat TUR was 8.81 g (range 3-20 g). In 5 of 20 cases (25%) residual prostatic cancer was identified. By adding the number of foci with cancer obtained at the initial operation with the repeat TUR, 16 cases (80%) remained as A1 and 4 cases (20%) were reclassified (upstaged) to A2. The usefulness of this technique in the restaging of patients with incidental carcinoma of the prostate is analyzed.