Prostatic cancer revisited

Thirty patients with prostatic carcinoma treated for varying lengths of time by radiation or endocrine therapy alone and in combination underwent staging and biospy of the prostate 3 years ago. Survival data for these patients have been correlated with the clinical and histologic findings of 3 years ago. A negative biopsy was associated with a better prognosis than a positive one and clinical rectal examination of the treated prostate was a poor index of cancer control. The group of patients treated with a combination of endocrine and radiation therapy was associated with the highest proportion of negative biopsies.