Long-term results of patients with clinical stage C prostate cancer treated by phototherapy and early orchiectomy. A retrospective analysis of 169 cases.

BACKGROUND

To evaluate the value of radiotherapy and immediate hormonal therapy in the treatment of stage C prostate cancer.

PATIENTS AND METHOD

From 1977 to 1986, 169 patients with clinically stage C prostate cancer underwent irradiation with curative intent following early orchiectomy. Sixty-four patients had a transurethral resection, 22 patients a prostatectomy and 83 patients had only a biopsy. In 38 patients a grade Ia/b tumor was found, in 78 patients a grade IIa/b tumor and in 43 patients a grade IIIa/b tumor using the German grade of malignancy. Treatment fields included the prostate, the seminal vesicles and the locoregional lymphatics. Until 1979 the dose was 60 Gy for the tumor encompassing isodose and from then on 65 Gy with a single dose of 2 Gy.

RESULTS

With a median follow-up of 98 months, the overall survival rate for 8 and 10 years was 51% and 37% and the cause specific survival rate was 84% and 77%, respectively. Thirty-two patients (19%) developed distant metastases. Patients with local tumor control (n = 148) had a significantly better overall survival rate of 45% for 10 years compared to patients with clinical local progression of disease (n = 21) of 22% (p < 0.05). Multivariate analysis showed the grade of malignancy and local control as independent factors for overall survival and cause-specific survival (p < 0.05). Twenty-three patients (14%) had at least one late side effect for the rectum or the bladder, in almost all cases grade I or II. Five patients (3%) showed severe late side effects RTOG grade III (n = 2) or IV (n = 3). One patient had a colostomy, in 2 patients a severe haemorrhagic cystitis was seen.

CONCLUSIONS

Radiotherapy with photons and early orchiectomy for patients with stage C prostate cancer achieves high local control rates and a 30% to 40% 10-year survival rate with a low incidence of late side effects. The value of the radiotherapy of the locoregional lymphatics remains controversial.