Long-term followup of young patients with stage A adenocarcinoma of the prostate.

A total of 23 men less than 60 years old with stage A adenocarcinoma of the prostate who were managed expectantly (that is untreated) and were at risk for 10 to 25 years form the basis of this study. The original amount of tissue obtained at transurethral resection, number of chips involved and examined, and tumor grade (Mayo grades 1 to 4) were recorded and compared in an in-depth analysis whereby the entire tissue removed was examined without knowledge of previous grading attempts. On the basis of volume estimation of the amount of cancer present 8 patients were reclassified as having stage A2 disease. Of these 8 patients 2 had disease progression and 1 died of metastatic adenocarcinoma of the prostate. At review 15 patients remained with stage A1 disease and 4 had disease progression (3 systemically and 1 locally) an average of 10.2 years after diagnosis. Because of longer life expectancy the young patient with stage A1 disease is at increased risk for local and/or systemic disease progression. Therefore, when incidental adenocarcinoma of the prostate is found in young patients consideration should be given to examination of all tissue resected, and to repeat transurethral resection and biopsy to ensure accurate staging. Lifelong careful followup is mandatory not only to detect local recurrence owing to heterogeneous adenocarcinoma of the prostate but also to detect a possible secondary clinical lesion.