Tumor characteristics, oncological and functional outcomes after radical prostatectomy in very young men ≤ 45 years of age

Purpose Age is an important prognostic factor for functional and oncological outcomes after radical prostatectomy (RP). Considering the long life-expectancy of young patients (≤ 45 years), it remains important to examine their outcomes. Methods Of 16.049 patients who underwent RP between 01/2006 and 12/2014 at the Martini-Klinik Prostate Cancer Center, 119 (0.7%) were ≤ 45. Known prognosticators were compared according to patient age at RP (categorical as ≤ 45, > 45 and ≤ 65, > 65 years). Kaplan–Meier plots and Cox-regressions analyzed oncological outcomes [biochemical recurrence (BCR)-free survival and metastasis-free survival (MFS)]. Logistic regressions were used for functional outcome. Urinary continence (UC) was defined as the use of 0 or 1 safety pad/day and potency as an IIEF-5 score of ≥ 18. Results Compared to their older counterparts, patients ≤ 45 years had more favorable tumor characteristics. Of all patients aged ≤ 45 years, 89% underwent bilateral and 9.3% unilateral nerve-sparing procedure. Five year BCR-free survival and MFS were 80.2% and 98.7% for patients ≤ 45 years, 72.8% and 95.0% for patients > 45 and ≤ 65 years and 70.5% and 94.9% for patients > 65 years. For the same groups, 1-year UC-rates were 97.4%, 89.4%, and 84.7% while 1.3%, 8.2%, and 11.6% used 1–2 pads/24 h. At 1-year, 75.6%, 58.6%, and 45.3% of preoperatively potent patients who underwent bilateral nerve-sparing were considered potent. Younger age was an independent predictor of favorable functional outcome also in multivariable analysis. Conclusions Patients aged ≤ 45 years had more favorable tumor characteristics and oncological outcomes. Moreover, younger patients should be counseled about the excellent postoperative continence and potency rates.