Latent Residual Tumor Following External Radiotherapy for Prostate Adenocarcinoma

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Abstract
Patients (50) with adenocarcinoma of the prostate were treated by external supervoltage radiotherapy. Needle biopsies were obtained at timed intervals after completion of therapy. Six of 17 patients with stages A and B disease and 15 of 33 patients with stage C disease had positive biopsies. In patients biopsied more than 18 mo. after therapy, 15 of 29 (52%) had residual tumors. Of 17 patients biopsied 36 mo. or more after therapy, 10 (59%) had residual tumor. Patients with residual tumor 18 mo. after therapy may not have tumor resolution and they may represent treatment failure.