Objective: To investigate prognostic factors in localized and lymphatically spread prostate cancer. Methods: The biochemical course after radical retropubic prostatectomy in 306 patients was subject to a retrospective analysis. Results: Prostate–specific antigen (PSA), Gleason score (prostatectomy specimen) and pathological stage proved to be prognostically relevant (p<0.0001). PSA, Gleason score and tumor stage also were to be considered as (independent) prognostic factors by means of a multivariate analysis (p<0.001), whereas perineural invasion (prostatectomy specimen) and preoperative bone marrow findings (CK 2) had no impact on the course of the disease. After a median follow–up of 1,307 days (3.6 years), a biochemical relapse occurred in 41.8%. Conclusion: High preoperative PSA values and the resulting high portion of advanced tumor stages are a possible basis for the high biochemical relapse rate in our collective. The learning curves of several surgeons and the previously more restrictive pelvic lymphadenectomy (surgical understaging) may also be considered causes.

Keywords:
Prostate cancer, Radical retropubic prostatectomy, Prognostic factors, Perineural invasion, Bone marrow, Cytokeratin staining
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