ACCELERATED TUMOR PROLIFERATION RATES IN LOCALLY RECURRENT PROSTATE-CANCER AFTER RADICAL PROSTATECTOMY

Purpose: We compared the growth rates of primary cancer and prostatic fossa recurrence after radical prostatectomy. Materials and Methods: T umor proliferative rates were studied in 26 patients with biopsy prove d prostatic fossa recurrences after radical prostatectomy. Proliferati on was calculated in the prostatectomy specimens and in recurrent canc er using Ki-67 antibody to detect dividing cells. Results: Mean and me dian labeling indexes for radical prostatectomy specimens were 2.96 an d 2.51, respectively. Labeling indexes in locally recurrent tumors wer e significantly higher (mean 6.47, median 5.59, p < 0.001). The increa se in labeling index between parent and recurrent tumors was unrelated to pathological staging at prostatectomy or interval from radical pro statectomy. Conclusions: Tumors that recur locally after radical prost atectomy appear to have a higher proliferative rate compared to parent tumors.