Prognostic significance of seminal vesicle invasion on the radical prostatectomy specimen. Rationale for seminal vesicle biopsies.

OBJECTIVE

The prognostic significance of seminal vesicle invasion on the radical prostatectomy specimen was evaluated according to the proximal or distal site of this invasion.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

52 consecutive patients undergoing radical prostatectomy for stage pT3b N0 M0 prostatic cancer were classified into two groups: group A (18 patients): patients with invasion limited to the proximal part of the seminal vesicles (stage T3b limited); group B (34 patients): patients with invasion extending to the free part of the seminal vesicles (stage T3b extensive). The PSA progression-free curves were compared between the two groups. A multivariable regression model was performed to determine independent prognostic factors.

RESULTS

Overall, the 5-year PSA progression free rate of the 52 patients was 14.4%. The 5-year PSA progression-free rate of the patients in group A was 45.4 vs. 4.2% at 4 years in group B (p = 0.0004). The stage of seminal vesicle invasion and the Gleason score were the only independent predictive factors of PSA progression (p = 0.02 and p = 0.04, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

The prognostic significance of seminal vesicle invasion is not constant and depends on the site of invasion. Preoperative seminal vesicles biopsies can select patients with invasion extending to the free part of seminal vesicles and who have a poor prognosis in terms of PSA progression after radical prostatectomy.