[Cancer of the prostate in France: results of the survey CCAFU-FRANCIM].

OBJECTIVE

The management, diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer (PC) in the general population are poorly defined in France. The objective of this survey was to analyse the diagnostic and therapeutic modalities of prostate cancer in 1995, on the basis of a population derived from 4 French cancer registries.

MATERIAL AND METHOD

A sample of 803 PCs diagnosed in 1995 were selected at random from the cases listed in the 4 registries (Bas-Rhin, Calvados, Isère and Tarn). Analysis by questionnaire concerned the modalities of diagnosis, clinical tumour stage and the treatment performed. Clinical stage (TNM 1992) was submitted to centralized coding. Logistic regression was used to quantify the various practices, taking into account the patient's age, PSA level and clinical stage. The probability of receiving each treatment modality was studied by using the same clinical determinants.

RESULTS

The mean age of the patients was 71.6 years (range: 46-94). The clinical stage was T1 or T2 in 60% of cases, T3 or T4 in 14% of cases and N+ or M+ in 17% of cases. PSA (median: 18.2 ng/ml) was assayed in 92.4% of cases. The diagnosis was established by biopsy in 63% of cases and by endoscopic resection (TURP) in 32% (5% unknown). The main treatments were: radical prostatectomy (RP): 21.9%, radiotherapy: 19.4%, endocrine therapy: 33%, isolated TURP: 16.3%, conservative management: 6% and unspecified treatment: 5.6% of cases. 31% of cases received combinations of various treatment modalities. RP was performed more frequently in patients over the age of 60 years, for T2 tumours (OR: 3.3) and for 4 < PSA < 20 ng/ml. Radiotherapy tended to be reserved for older patients with T3-T4 tumours and 20 < PSA < 50 ng/ml. The frequency of endocrine therapy increased with age and PSA (> 50 ng/ml). The frequency of TURP and surveillance also increased with age, decreased with high PSA and essentially concerned T1 tumours.

CONCLUSION

PC was diagnosed relatively early in France in 1995 with clinically localized tumours in 60% of cases. In this survey, 94% of patients received treatment during the year following diagnosis, with 40% of curative treatments and 31% of combined treatments.