Defining Prostatic Vascular Pedicle Recurrence and the Anatomy of Local Recurrence of Prostate Cancer on Prostate-specific Membrane Antigen Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography

• Published in: European urology open science (Online) Vol. 41; pp. 116 - 122
• Main Authors: Dundee, Philip, Furrer, Marc A., Corcoran, Niall M., Peters, Justin, Pan, Henry, Ballok, Zita, Ryan, Andrew, Guerrieri, Mario, Costello, Anthony J.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 01-07-2022; Elsevier
• Subjects: Biochemical recurrence; Imaging; Local recurrence; Oncological outcomes; Positron emission tomography/computed tomography; Prostate Cancer; Prostate-specific membrane antigen; Vascular pedicle recurrence; Local recurrence; Imaging; Prostate-specific membrane antigen; Positron emission tomography/computed tomography; Vascular pedicle recurrence; Oncological outcomes; Prostate cancer; Biochemical recurrence
• ISSN: 2666-1683; 2666-1691; 2666-1683
• DOI: 10.1016/j.euros.2022.05.011

Prostate-specific membrane antigen positron emission tomography imaging has allowed more precise anatomic definition of location of local recurrence of prostate cancer in the prostate bed. More precise localisation of tumour recurrence within the prostate bed may facilitate refinement of adjuvant and salvage radiation fields to reduce the morbidity of these treatments, particularly with the increasing application of stereotactic techniques.
The term local recurrence in prostate cancer is considered to mean persistent local disease in the prostatic bed, most commonly at the site of the vesicourethral anastomosis (VUA). Since the introduction of prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) and magnetic resonance imaging for assessment of early biochemical recurrence (BCR), we have found histologically confirmed prostate cancer in the prostatic vascular pedicle (PVP). If a significant proportion of local recurrences are distant to the VUA, it may be possible to alter adjuvant and salvage radiation fields in order to reduce the potential morbidity of radiation in selected patients.
To describe PVP local recurrence and to map the anatomic pattern of prostate bed recurrence on PSMA PET/CT.
This was a retrospective multicentre study of 185 patients imaged with PSMA PET/CT following radical prostatectomy (RP) between January 2016 and November 2018. All patient data and clinical outcomes were prospectively collected. Recurrences were documented according to anatomic location. For patients presenting with local recurrence, the precise location of the recurrence within the prostate bed was documented.
PSMA PET/CT for BCR following RP.
A total of 43 local recurrences in 41/185 patients (22%) were identified. Tumour recurrence at the PVP was found in 26 (63%), VUA in 15 (37%), and within a retained seminal vesicle and along the anterior rectal wall in the region of the neurovascular bundle in one (2.4%) each. Histological and surgical evidence of PVP recurrence was acquired in two patients. The study is limited by its retrospective nature with inherent selection bias. This is an observational study reporting on the anatomy of local recurrence and does not include follow-up for patient outcomes.
Our study showed that prostate cancer can recur in the PVP and is distant to the VUA more commonly than previously thought. This may have implications for RP technique and for the treatment of selected patients in the local recurrence setting.
We investigated more precise identification of the location of tumour recurrence after removal of the prostate for prostate cancer. We describe a new definition of local recurrence in an area called the prostatic vascular pedicle. This new concept may alter the treatment recommended for recurrent disease.