Lack of Impact of Robotic Assisted Laparoscopic Radical Prostatectomy on Intraoperative Levels of Prostate Cancer Circulating Tumor Cells

PURPOSE: While the significance of circulating tumor cells in clinically localized cancer remains controversial, it has been reported that surgical tumor manipulation can increase circulating tumor cells, including during open prostatectomy. To our knowledge it is unknown whether this cell shedding also occurs during minimally invasive prostatectomy, which minimizes tumor palpation and uses earlier vascular control. We tested the impact of robotic assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy on intraoperative circulating tumor cell levels. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Circulating tumor cell counts were compared in peripheral blood specimens from 25 patients treated with robotic assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy preoperatively vs intraoperatively after prostate excision, in addition to 11 healthy blood donors. Circulating tumor cell detection was performed using EpCAM immunomagnetic enrichment and multiparametric flow cytometry quantification of viable EpCAM positive/prostate specific membrane antigen positive/CD45 negative cells. Intraoperative cell counts and increases were tested in univariable analyses for associations with perioperative variables, histopathology and postoperative progression. RESULTS: Circulating tumor cells were detected in 0% of healthy controls compared to 48% and 52% of prostatectomy cases preoperatively and intraoperatively, respectively (range 1 to 8 cells). There was no difference in the incidence or mean number of circulating tumor cells preoperatively vs intraoperatively. Of the patients 60% had no intraoperative change from preoperative levels. Intraoperative cell increases vs decreases were equally infrequent (each 20%) with no intraoperative increase greater than 1 circulating tumor cell. Intraoperative circulating tumor cell detection was not significantly associated with prostatectomy operative characteristics, histopathology or early postoperative progression at a median 21-month followup. CONCLUSIONS: Robotic assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy does not cause significant intraoperative increases in circulating tumor cells in contrast to historical reports of open prostatectomy. These findings may aid urologists in counseling candidates for robotic assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy regarding the possibility of intraoperative tumor cell shedding.