Laparoscopic radical prostatectomy is feasible and effective in 'fit' senior men with localized prostate cancer

OBJECTIVE To assess the effect of age and comorbidity on short-term complications, long-term continence and oncological outcome after laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (LRP) for localized prostate cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS In all, 2048 consecutive men underwent LRP for localized prostate cancer in one institution. Comorbidity was assessed using the Charlson index. Short-term postoperative complications, transfusion rate, duration of hospital stay, long-term continence and oncological outcome were analysed by age and comorbidity classes. RESULTS Of the 2048 men, 297 were aged ≥ 70 years and 281 had a Charlson index of >0 (mainly diabetes 31%, chronic pulmonary disease 26%, prior other nonmetastatic cancer 16%, prior myocardial infarction 12%). Compared with younger men, senior men had significantly higher pathological stages and tumor grades. Of those 297 men aged ≥ 70 years, 90 (30.3%) developed biochemical relapse, none died from prostate cancer and five (1.7%) died from another cause over a median follow-up of 5 years. The occurrence and severity of short-term postoperative complications were more strongly related to comorbidity than chronological age. Multivariate analysis with stepwise regression confirmed that most important predictors of short-term postoperative complications were a Charlson index of ≥ 2, prostate weight of >80 g, obesity and age of ≥ 70 years. Postoperative continence significantly declined with age (ranging from 87% in men aged <60 years to 67.5% in men aged ≥ 70 years). Predictors of long-term incontinence were age of ≥ 70 years, obesity and need for perioperative transfusion. CONCLUSIONS LRP is feasible and effective in fit senior men (aged ≥ 70 years) with localized prostate cancer, including those at high risk of dying from it.