Prostatic cancer treated at the Rotterdam radiotherapy institute

The results of radiation therapy of patients with carcinoma of the prostate category T3-4NxMo are compared with those of the hormonal therapy and with those of hormonal therapy combined with external irradiation. The type of first indicators of existing or threatening metastases has been evaluated, their appearance after first treatment and the period between their appearance and the development of clinical metastases have been assessed. These data and perhaps the bone-marrow serum acid phosphatase levels prior to treatment might be helpful in the choice of treatment. As damage due to irradiation has become minimal, radiation therapy should be preferred in all patients prone to cardio-vascular accidents and in healthy men up to about 75 years.