The radical treatment of prostatic cancer

Radical ablation of the local lesion in prostatic cancer is indicated in patients who do not have evidence of dissemination of the lesion and whose life expectancy from the point of view of age and general condition (heart, vessels, lungs, etc.) is five years or more. Palliative therapy as seen in Figure 6.1 yields an average of four years and, therefore, is sufficient for those with such a life expectancy; but it is not sufficient for those with a greater life expectancy. It is probable also that in properly selected situations, radical ablation added to palliative therapy will prolong and improve the quality of survival even in the presence of dissemination of the lesion. Careful and meticulous assessment of the patient’s general condition and studies such as bone scans, serum acid phosphatase, lymphangiography, cystoscopy and excretory urograms are helpful in making a judgment with regard to the kind of therapy indicated in the individual patient.