Occult Carcinoma of the Prostate

At times the urologist is surprised to learn that a prostate gland with enlargement that he had considered to be benign is found to be carcinomatous by histological study following prostatectomy. The therapeutic problem thus presented is one concerning which a divergence of opinion exists. One school of thought suggests that radical perineal prostatectomy should be performed in such cases, whereas the other believes that the conservative prostatectomy already performed, the one by which the diagnosis of occult carcinoma was established, is sufficient. Thus Brendler stated that it becomes mandatory at this time, and until convincing evidence to the contrary be submitted, that the patient with occult prostatic cancer be given the benefit of radical prostatectomy, providing, of course, that he be a suitable candidate from the standpoint of physical condition and life expectancy. 1 The Hinmans supported this contention and cited results in five patients so treated and followed