Visual estimation of the tumor volume in prostate cancer: a useful means for predicting biochemical-free survival after radical prostatectomy?

Absolute and relative (ratio absolute tumor volume to gland volume) tumor volumes were visually estimated in 528 prostatectomy specimens. Surveying a mean post-surgical follow-up of 49 months, both parameters were analyzed regarding their aptitude for prognostication. We found relative tumor volumes exceeding 25% to independently predict biochemical recurrence reflected by post-surgical prostate-specific antigen progression, which was also determined to be increased to 28% when absolute tumor volumes exceeded 10 cm(3). However, this cutoff failed to be an independent prognosticator. Because the visual estimation of both parameters can easily be performed, they are felt to be formidable candidates for deriving prognostic information during routine procedures.