Surgical management of Stage B or C prostatic carcinoma: radical surgery vs radiotherapy.

Radical prostatectomy provides an excellent degree of disease control for the longest period of time in patients with localized prostatic cancer. Although advocates of radiation therapy point to nearly identical survival curves for patients treated with either interstitial or external techniques, an analysis of disease-free survival suggests that radical prostatectomy yields the best long-term "cure." Crude fifteen-year survival rates of 50 per cent may be achieved with radical prostatectomy, compared with 20 per cent to 25 per cent associated with radiation therapy. Additional experience with long-term survival data is necessary before a final conclusion can be drawn from comparison of the two treatment modalities.