Course of localized adenocarcinoma of the prostate treated by radical prostatectomy

Among 562 patients with histologic stage B-1, B-2, or C adenocarcinoma of the prostate treated by radical prostatectomy and pelvic lymphadenectomy, analysis revealed that increasing histologic stage, tumor size, degree of capsular invasion, seminal vesicle involvement, and histologic grade all were highly correlated with both local and systemic progression (log-rank two-sided P less than or equal to 0.0001). No variable correlated with survival--a result that may reflect appropriate adjuvant therapy given at the time of progression. The death rate from prostatic cancer did appear to rise progressively with increase of stage. Overall, the projected 10-year survival was 76%.