Conservative approaches to the management of localized prostatic cancer.
BACKGROUND
The management of early stage prostatic cancer is controversial.


METHODS
Pertinent literature concerning the conservative management of early stage prostatic cancer by early endocrine therapy (EET) or by deferred treatment (DT) was reviewed.


RESULTS
EET has not been systematically studied. Available evidence suggests that early stage prostatic cancer often progresses slowly and that DT results in a cancer-specific mortality of approximately 80% at 10 years.


CONCLUSIONS
EET warrants clinical investigation. DT is a management option, at least in patients with a life expectancy of 10 years or less.
Whitmore
W F
WF
Department of Urology, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10021.
D004054:Diethylstilbestrol / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D011467:Prostate / Q000473:pathology; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D015996:Survival Rate
D004054:Diethylstilbestrol