[Epidemiologic indicators of adenocarcinoma of the prostate. Results on 436 patients]

To conduct a populational study by analyzing the major epidemiological indicators in a group of 436 patients with prostate adenocarcinoma.

The population reference for the study involves a total of 396,294 people, of which 197,500 are male. Between 1983 and 1996, 436 patients were diagnosed with prostate adenocarcinoma in the Urology Service of Mostoles Hospital. Gleason Index has been used to determine the histological grade, while the 1992 TNM rating was used for staging purposes. Gleason rating is known for 395 patients, distribution being as follows: 26.6% with Gleason 2, 3 or 4; 44.6% with 5, 6 or 7 and 28.9% with 8, 9 or 10. T1 tumours accounted for 21.1% cases; T2: 45.6%; T3: 22.2% and T4: 11%. There were 58.3% M0: 32.8% M1 and 8.9% Mx tumours. Approach for local disease: radical prostatectomy or radiotherapy. Approach for disseminated disease; hormonal blockade. Deaths: 130 (29.8%); cancer related deaths: 91 (70%). Mean follow-up of survivors: 3.4 years (0.25-14 years). Major variables analyzed: age, incidence, prevalence, mortality, Gleason's evolution and overall and specific survival.

Mean age: 71.3 years. Prior to 1990 there were 55.5% patients under 70 years old; in 1995-96 there are 39.4%. Incidence has increased up to 36.5% per 100,000 people/year in 1996. Mean mortality in 1993-1996: 5.6 per 100,000 people/year. Prevalence in 1996: 155 per 100,000 people/year. Family background for prostate cancer: 8%. Incidence of second tumours: 10.5%. Increased proportion of patients with moderate to high versus low Gleason grades. Overall survival at 5 years: 53%, at 10 years: 33%. Tumour related survival at 5 years: 65%; at 10 years: 48%. Older age, higher PSA, higher Gleason, advanced stages and metastasis are all unfavourable prognostic factors for both overall and specific survival (p = 0.000). Significant prognostic factors in multivariate analysis have been a higher Gleason grade and non metastatic tumour at diagnosis.

Incidence of prostate adenocarcinoma has increased in our milieu, reaching 36.5 per 100,000 people/year in 1996, far from the figures in the US. Actual mortality in our series is somehow lower than data published in other national series. This condition shows very high prevalence rates which results in increasingly growing and highly significant economic costs.