INTRODUCTION: We examined the prognostic value of AJCC pT2 substages in prediction of biochemical recurrence (BCR) after radical prostatectomy (RP), in European patients. METHODS: A cohort of 1726 RP patients with pT2N0 prostate cancer (PCa) was studied. Multivariate Cox regression models addressed the association between either the 1997 or 1992/2002 pT2 substages after controlling for total PSA, primary and secondary pathologic Gleason scores and surgical margin status and time to PSA recurrence (PSA >0.1 and rising) after RP. Regression coefficients were then used to test the predictive accuracy of multivariate models in a nomogram setting. RESULTS: PSA recurrence occurred in 80 (4.6%) patients. Mean and median times to recurrence were respectively 28.9 and 24.4 months. In univariate analyses, neither the 1997 (p = 0.48) nor the 1992/2002 pT2 substages (p = 0.054) were predictive of recurrence. In multivariate analyses the lack of significance persisted (1997 p = 0.709; 1992/2002 p = 0.124). When either the 1997 or 1992/2002 pT2 substages were added to a multivariate nomogram without pT2 substage information, its accuracy respectively decreased by 0.8% and 1.1%. CONCLUSION: Our data indicate that pT2 substages offer no incremental value relative to pre-treatment total PSA, surgical margin status and pathologic Gleason scores. Therefore, it might be postulated that it is sufficient to confirm organ confinement according to Partin's pathologic staging.
