Significance of histological prognostic indicators in patients with carcinoma of the prostate

The relationship between histological prognostic indicators and their relative significance in prognosis were studied in 139 patients who underwent radical prostatectomy. The estimated progression rates at 5 and 8 years were 14 and 52% respectively for patients with high grade tumours, 25 and 50% for those with capsular penetration, 31 and 58% for patients with seminal vesicle invasion and 23 and 55% for those with lymph node metastases. Each of the 4 parameters yielded an approximately equal increased risk of disease progression at 5 and 8 years. The occurrence of 2 or more risk factors in the same patient did not result in a statistically increased risk of progression at 5 and 8 years. The effect of capsular involvement on progression was directly related to the extent of invasion. The progression rate at 8 years was 3% for patients with mild involvement, 19% for those with extensive invasion and 50% for those with capsular penetration.