Higher rates of upgrading and upstaging in older patients undergoing radical prostatectomy and qualifying for active surveillance

Objective To determine pathological and oncological outcomes of patients diagnosed with low-risk prostate cancer in two age cohorts who underwent radical prostatectomy (RP) and qualified for active surveillance (AS) according to Prostate Cancer Research International: Active Surveillance (PRIAS) criteria, as AS for low-risk prostate cancer represents an acceptable management strategy especially for older patients. Patients and Methods In all, 320 patients aged >= 65 years who underwent RP and were eligible for AS according to PRIAS criteria were propensity score matched 1: 1 to patients aged <65 years. Patient characteristics were compared with chi-square, Kruskal-Wallis, and one-way ANOVA tests. Predictors of RP pathological upgrading or upstaging were analysed using logistic regression. Recurrence-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS) were calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method. Predictors of RFS were analysed within Cox regression models. Results Pathological upgrading and upstaging were significantly higher among older (>= 65 years) vs younger (<65 years) patients (53.1% vs 44.1% and 12.2% vs 7.2%, respectively). Higher prostate-specific antigen levels and increasing age were independent predictors of upgrading among patients aged <65 years. There were no differences in RFS or OS between the two age groups. Positive surgical margin status was the only independent predictor of shorter RFS. Conclusions Patients aged >= 65 years who are eligible for AS by PRIAS criteria have a higher risk of being upgraded and upstaged at RP than those aged < 65 years. These findings should be taken into consideration when discussing treatment options for patients diagnosed with prostate cancer.