Comparative analysis of prognostic factors in men undergoing radical prostatectomy for adenocarcinoma of the prostate, including DNA ploidy, surgical tumor stage, prostatic specific antigen, Gleason grade, and age.

One hundred consecutive men with adenocarcinoma of the prostate, treated by modified pelvic lymphadenectomy and radical retropubic prostatectomy, were evaluated, comparing DNA ploidy as determined by flow cytometry to surgical tumor stage (pT), preoperative prostatic specific antigen (PSA), Gleason grade, and age at presentation, in an effort to assess the prognostic ability of DNA ploidy. There were 71 (71%) men found to have diploid tumors and 29 (29%) with nondiploid tumors. There was no statistical difference in surgical pathologic stage between these two groups (P = 0.2369). There was no statistical difference when comparing preoperative PSA between these two groups (P = 0.0925). There was no statistical difference when comparing Gleason grade between these two groups (P = 0.5807). Age at presentation was similar in both groups. Based on these findings, it is apparent that longitudinal studies of patient outcome will be necessary to fully assess the prognostic ability of DNA ploidy determined by flow cytometry in men undergoing radical prostatectomy for treatment of adenocarcinoma of the prostate gland.