Management of patients with localized prostatic carcinoma.

Three groups of patients with localized prostatic carcinoma are presented. One group of 42 patients was treated with radiation therapy. The second group of 43 patients was subjected to radical prostatectomy. The third group consisted of 42 elderly men with focal, incidental carcinoma who received no therapy. The preliminary results of management and observation are presented. Comparison of the two forms of management shows that radical prostatectomy gives better results than radiation in terms of cure, survival and disease progression. The probability of recurrence or metastases is very high in T3 lesions, despite radical surgery. In the group with incidental untreated carcinoma, a high incidence of progression was seen. It is concluded that these patients are at a certain risk despite old age and focal disease.