Radiographic evaluation of treatment of advanced carcinoma of the prostate.

Radiographic evaluation of 65 patients with disseminated carcinoma of the prostate shows that 8% demonstrated resolution of metastatic deposits after palliative transurethral resection and/or estrogen or castration therapy. The increased effectiveness of therapy and the improved management of patients are reflected in longer survival. Roentgenographic evidence of increasing sclerosis of osteoblastic metastases of carcinoma of the prostate indicates that the rate of bone repair exceeds the rate of bone destruction, and is not necessarily an indication of progression of the disease. Increasing prominence of blastic bony lesions is not a poor prognostic sign; several patients showing it were symptom-free and survived for long periods. Sclerotization of lytic deposits is definitely a good prognostic sign of treatment and represents "healing change" within involved bone.