Pathologic characteristics and prognosis of pathologic T0 prostate cancer

Purpose: We evaluated the pathologic characteristics and prognosis of pathologic TO (pT0) prostate cancer (PC). Materials and Methods: Of 1,196 consecutive men who underwent radical prostatectomy (RP) between January 1992 and November 2008, 34 patients (mean age, 68.8±7.9 years; range, 48-85) had pT0 PC. They were categorized into 4 groups according to neoadjuvant hormone therapy (NHT) and diagnostic methods. The initial PSA, 5 alpha-reductase inhibitor (5αRI), Gleason score of prostatic needle biopsy (PNB) or transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP), clinical stage, and presence of high-grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia were evaluated. Clinical and biochemical progression were also evaluated. Results: 34 patients were categorized into 4 groups (Group I: 9 without NHT, diagnosed by PNB [1.1%]; Group II: 8 without NHT, diagnosed by TURP [11.3%]; Group III: 16 with NHT, diagnosed by PNB [5.5%]; Group IV: 1 with NHT, diagnosed by TURP [3.8%]). Group I had serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) <15.0 ng/ml, one positive biopsy core, and a Gleason score ≤ 7. Group II had serum PSA < 10.1 ng/ml, chips involved with cancer < 10.0%, and a Gleason score ≤ 6. There were more patients taking 5αRI and high-grade PIN among patients without NHT. None of patients with pathologic pT0 PC had clinical or biochemical progression during follow-up, except 3 patients with NHT (mean, 22 months; range, 2-105 months). Conclusions: Patients without NHT had more favorable clinical and pathologic results. In our study, except for 3 patients with NHT, all patients had undetectable PSA levels after RP. We need more time for follow-up to conclude whether the prognosis of pT0 PC is favorable.