[Medical or surgical castration in prostatic cancer? Experience of 100 orchiectomies]

The mean age of 100 patients who underwent orchiectomy for carcinoma of the prostate was 76.4 years. 50% of the patients had distant metastases. Almost all had a locally advanced tumour. 49 patients were operated by orchiectomy only. On 51 occasions, a transurethral resection of the prostate was carried out under the same anesthesia. In 22 patients, operation of the prostate was done without previous planning, "because the patient was already on the operating table". Mean stay in hospital varied from 11.2 to 15.6 days, depending on the extent of the operative treatment. Social factors were the most important reason for prolonged hospitalization. Patients who are offered castration in the treatment of prostatic cancer have a great latent need for medical service and social care.