Cookies on this website

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you click 'Accept all cookies' we'll assume that you are happy to receive all cookies and you won't see this message again. If you click 'Reject all non-essential cookies' only necessary cookies providing core functionality such as security, network management, and accessibility will be enabled. Click 'Find out more' for information on how to change your cookie settings.

INTRODUCTION: Prostatic capsular incision (CapI) is an iatrogenic breach of the prostatic capsule during radical prostatectomy (RP) that can cause positive surgical margins (PSMs) in organ-confined (pT2) prostate cancer, or the retention of benign prostatic tissue. We systematically interrogated the literature in order to clarify the definition of CapI, and the implications of this event for rates of PSM and biochemical recurrence (BCR). METHODS: A literature search was conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) criteria using the search terms 'capsular incision' AND 'prostatectomy', and variations of each. In all, 18 studies were eligible for inclusion. RESULTS: A total of 51 057 RP specimens were included. The incidence of CapI ranged from 1.3% to 54.3%. CapI definitions varied and included a breach of the prostatic capsule 'exposing both benign or malignant prostate cancer cells', 'malignant tissue only', or 'benign tissue only'. The incidence of PSMs due to CapI ranged from 2.8% to 71.7%. Our meta-analysis results found that when CapI was defined as 'exposing malignant tissue only in organ-confined prostate cancer' there was an increased risk of BCR compared to patients with pT2 disease and no CapI (relative risk 3.53, 95% confidence interval 2.82-4.41; P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The absolute impact of CapI on oncological outcomes is currently unclear due to inconsistent definitions. However, the data imply an association between CapI and PSMs and BCR. Reporting of possible areas of CapI on the operation note, or marking areas of concern on the specimen, are critical to assist CapI recognition by the pathologist.

Original publication

DOI

10.1111/bju.14522

Type

Journal article

Journal

BJU Int

Publication Date

16/08/2018

Keywords

biochemical recurrence, capsular incision, prostate cancer