The Palpable Nodule of Prostatic Cancer

Until Jan 1, 1951, radical perineal prostatectomy was performed on 111 patients with clinically localized and discrete cancer. Of these, 103 patients were followed for 15 years or longer. No patient with high-grade cancer or with cancer extending microscopically beyond the prostate survived without recurrence. Of 86 patients with locally limited cancer, 28 lived 15 years free of the disease (33%). This represents twice the success rate achieved with endocrine treatment of patients with what was thought to be comparable conditions. One patient died in the hospital. Complications were infrequent, minor, and temporary. In 82 recent cases an improved technique has provided complete urinary control in 80 instances.