Early carcinoma of the prostate: comparison of stages A and B

Stage A--occult, latent, preoperatively undiagnosed, incidentally found, stage I or T0--carcinoma of the prostate has been considered to be an earlier stage than stage B--II, T1 or T2, palpable nodule. In a comparative study of 118 patients with stage A lesions and 115 patients with stage B lesions we have found more focal lesions in A than in B. The A lesions were also less highly malignant than the B. However, the survival of patients with A lesions was a little less than those with B lesions. Age differences and more extensive growth before a detection may account for the differences. Patients with diffuse lesions and those with the more highly malignant lesions had a shorter survival than those with focal lesions and with a lower grade of malignancy in stages A and B. All available preoperative diagnostic data and a through histopathological examination of the surgical specimen are necessary to accurately stage prostatic carcinoma. Other well recognized diagnostic tests, such as the lymphangiogram, acid phosphatase value bone scan and so forth, are also necessary to accurately assess the extent of the disease.