An Aggressive Approach to Prostatic Cancer

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
During the last 47 yr an aggressive approach to the treatment of prostatic malignancies was maintained. Radical prostatectomy, usually by the perineal route and, more recently, by the retropubic technique in conjunction with pelvic lymphadenectomy, was vigorously applied in patients with diffuse stages A, B and even C disease. A 5 yr survival rate of 80% was documented. Hormonal therapy was equally vigorous, most often embracing orchiectomy at the time of diagnosis with immediate initiation of estrogen therapy. Patients so treated exhibited a 5 yr survival rate of 49%, greater than the average survival rates usually quoted. Radiation therapy was used primarily in conjunction with other treatment measures, and multiple drug chemotherapy is now being used in patients who demonstrate disseminated and progressive disease, refractory to other measures previously instituted. By maintaining flexible combinations of all modalities of therapy an overall 5 yr survival rate of 50% was achieved with all patients exhibiting all stages and classifications of prostatic carcinoma.