The Changing Face of cN0M0 Prostate Cancer Being Found With pN+ After Surgery in the Contemporary Era: Results of an International European Survey on Disease Management

Heterogeneity exists in positive nodes (pN+) preoperative negative conventional staging (cN0M0) prostate cancer (PCa) men management. We performed a survey to investigate the current opinion on this issue in the European urological community. An acceptable awareness of pN+ disease and management was found. pN+ PCa was considered as a multifaceted category needing a risk-adapted approach. Expectant compared to immediate upfront management and new imaging modalities are increasingly considered.Introduction: The urological community's opinion over the management of men being found with pathologically positive nodes (pN+) following radical prostatectomy (RP) performed with curative intent after preoperative negative conventional staging (cN0M0) has never been assessed. This remains crucial, especially considering the advent of novel imaging modalities. Our aim was to investigate the current opinion on management of pN+ cN0M0 prostate cancer (PCa) in the European urological community. Methods: Following validation, a 31-item survey, complying with the Cherries checklist, was distributed using a web link from December 2021 to April 2022 to 10 urological societies mailing list. Social media (Twitter, Facebook) were also used. Results: We received 253 replies. The majority were Urologists (96.8%), younger than 60 (90.5%); 5.2% did not have access to PET-scans; 78.9% believed pN+ is a multifaceted category; 10-years CSS was marked as 71 to 95% by 17.5%. Gold standard management was stated not being ADT by 80.8% and being RT +/- ADT by 52.3%. Early sRT +/- ADT was considered an option vs. aRT +/- ADT by 72.4%. In case of BCR 71% would perform and decide management based on PSMA-PET whilst 3.7% would not perform PSMA-PET. pN+ management is still unclear for 77.1%. On multivariate analysis PSMA-PET availability related to a lower and higher likelihood of considering aRT +/- ADT as standard and of considering early salvage versus aRT respectively (P <.05). Conclusions: The Urological community has an acceptable awareness of pN+ disease and management, although it may overestimate disease aggressiveness. The majority consider pN+ PCa as a multifaceted category and rely on a risk-adapted approach. Expectant compared to immediate upfront management and new imaging modalities are increasingly considered.