The continued evaluation of the effects of chemotherapy in patients with advanced carcinoma of the prostate.

The response and duration of survival were evaluated for patients with stage D relapsing prostatic cancer who were randomized to cyclophosphamide (cytoxan), 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) or standard therapy, or to subsequent chemotherapies. The chemotherapies on initial randomization were superior to the standard therapy in the number of responders and duration of response. Survival was longer for responders (stable or partial regression) on chemotherapy by comparison to responders (stable only) on standard therapy. The survival for patients receiving initial and crossover chemotherapy was significantly improved for patients who responded to therapy. Chemotherapy of advanced relapsing stage D prostatic cancer is more beneficially treated by specific chemotherapy as shown in this randomized study.