NEOADJUVANT GNRH-AGONIST TREATMENT (TRIPTORELIN AND CYPROTERONE-ACETATE FOR FLARE PROTECTION) AND TOTAL PROSTATECTOMY

The effects of 3 months treatment with the GnRH agonist triptorelin as a neoadjuvant to total prostatectomy in 40 men with localized prostat ic cancer have been evaluated. The study included 1 patient with a sta ge T-1b tumour, 25 patients with stage T-2 tumours and 14 with stage T -3 tumours. The patients were examined by digital rectal examination, transrectal ultrasound before and after treatment. Serum testosterone and prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels were followed. The totally removed prostate gland was step-sectioned at 5-mm intervals and the wh ole-mount sections were assessed for tumour pathology stage (pT stage) . Triptorelin treatment resulted in a significant decrease in total gl and and tumour volume and in a reduction in the serum levels of PSA an d testosterone. In comparison with the findings from a previous study, in which neoadjuvant treatment was not used, it appears that the prop ortion of tumours invading the margins of the surgical specimen decrea sed.