Transurethral resection in prostatic cancer.

Complications arising from transurethral and open subcapsular prostatectomy were studied in 121 patients with prostatic cancer and in 121 patients matched in age and prostate weight who had undergone prostatectomy for benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH). After transurethral resection, cancer patients had a significantly longer hospital stay than did patients with BPH (P less than 0.01) and more had complications, such as perforation and bleeding. Compared to transurethral prostatectomy, open resection resulted in greater blood loss and more complications for the cancer patients. It is concluded that transurethral resection is as safe for most cancer patients as it is for patients with BPH, but the dangers of massive bleeding and dissemination of the cancer cells should not be overlooked.