LONG-TERM RESULTS OF RADICAL PROSTATECTOM Y

From 1969 to 1993 570 patients underwent radical prostatectomy for loc alized prostate cancer at the Department of Urology, University of Wur zburg. 74 of these 570 patients were followed for more than 15 years. The overall observed 10- and 15-year survival rates were found to be 6 3.5% and 50% respectively. These survival rates equal the survival exp ectancy of the male age matched control population. Tumor progression during the 15-year follow-up interval occurred in 22 out of the 74 pat ients (29.7%). 17 patients died from prostate cancer. The results of t he present study demonstrate the efficacy of radical prostatectomy in the treatment of patients with clinically localized prostate cancer. S erious attempts should be made to diagnose prostate cancer at an early stage in order to offer these patients radical prostatectomy as a pot entially curative treatment.