[Cytological monitoring of the therapy of conservatively treated prostate cancer. Classification and clinical significance].

600 aspiration biopsies were performed under 6 different therapeutic conditions (estrogens, antiandrogen, Estracyt, irradiation, irradiation and estrogens, cytostatics) in patients mostly in stage T3 Nx Mo. The most important signs of regression were found in the nucleus. Compared to 102 simultaneous transrectal punch biopsies we found a diagnostic reliability for cytology of 97%. A detailed classification of the cytological signs of regression permitted a cytological grading of regression into 6 different regression grades. A surprisingly good correlation was found between grading of regression and clinical response or progression. Cytology was superior to rectal examination as a method of evaluating the effectiveness of therapies. The incidence of complications of aspiration biopsy was 1.6% and the incidence of insufficient cell material was 5.2%.