Radical prostatectomy after radiotherapy for prostatic cancer.

We report on 18 patients with clinical stages B and C carcinoma of the prostate who underwent radiotherapy to the prostate, followed by radical retropubic prostatectomy and pelvic lymphadenectomy. Of the 18 patients only 2 (1 with grade 1 and 1 with grade 4 disease) had no residual local cancer at operation. Surgical morbidity was minimal in the 18 patients and only 3 patients had spread of the disease after the combined treatment. Radical retropubic prostatectomy after radiation therapy appears to be safe and effective treatment.