Prostate cancer--the impact of irradiation on urinary outlet obstruction.

A series of 245 patients with prostate cancer treated by external irradiation was analysed to assess the impact of irradiation on urinary outlet obstruction. Prior to irradiation, obstruction was observed in 147/245 patients (60%). Irradiation either with or without hormonal therapy was as efficacious as transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) in alleviating obstructive symptoms; 14/16 patients treated by irradiation alone responded, as did 19/19 who received hormonal therapy and irradiation and 109/112 who underwent TURP and irradiation.

Prostate cancer: post-irradiation incontinence.

The experience of 272 patients with prostate cancer treated between 1976 and 1987 by external irradiation was reviewed to assess causal factors for post-irradiation incontinence and to determine measures to reduce the risk of this complication. No patient had incontinence before definitive irradiation or radical prostatectomy. Post-irradiation incontinence was observed in 19 of 272 patients (7%), including 14 with mild, 2 with moderate and 3 with severe disease.

Response of lymph node metastasis to sequential estrogen and radiation therapy in prostate carcinoma.

Increasingly sophisticated diagnostic studies have shown a high incidence of tumor spread to the regional lymph nodes. The status of the lymph nodes has been evaluated by noninvasive diagnostic procedures such as lymphangiography and computerized axial tomography. The applicability of these procedures has been enhanced by the use of stringent criteria.