Age and survival in prostatic carcinoma

Several studies of patients with prostatic carcinoma have reported worse survival rates for younger patients (less than 60 years) than for older and have concluded that this disease takes a more aggressive form in younger patients. We have retrospectively analysed data on 597 patients in East Anglia between 1973 and 1977 and have shown that in this region younger patients have a much better prognosis when compared with older groups with the same disease. When age-correction is applied, their prognosis still appears no worse than in older patients. This has implications in the management of patients with this common cancer.