Evaluation of combined oncological and functional outcomes after radical prostatectomy: trifecta rate of achieving continence, potency and cancer control--a literature review

The first objective of radical prostatectomy is cancer control. However, the success of RP should be also measured by the long-term morbidity outcomes and by the maintenance of quality of life. We performed a review of the literature for combined results of continence, erectile function, and cancer control after radical prostatectomy. Since 2003 and the first report of "trifecta," only 7 series have yet reported such combined results (trifecta rate range: 20%-76%). The preoperative risk (D'Amico) predicted for quality of life outcomes and biochemical recurrence is an aggregate endpoint, the trifecta.