Anesthetic Technique for Radical Prostatectomy Surgery Affects Cancer Recurrence

Abstract

PROSTATE cancer is the most common malignancy in men; it is a major cause of morbidity and kills approximately 27,000 people per year in the United States alone.1Although there are various treatment options for prostate cancer, control of advanced disease often hinges on effective surgical removal of the primary tumor. Unfortunately, recurrence occurs in a significant fraction of patients, perhaps in part because even with the best technique, tumor surgery is usually associated with release of tumor cells into the lymphatic and blood streams. Furthermore, many patients already harbor micrometastases and scattered tumor cells at the time of surgery.1–3