Prostate cancer survival rates can be extended to 20 yrs with surgery

Washington, May 16 (ANI): Mayo clinic researchers have found that 80 percent of patients diagnosed with cancer that has spread beyond the prostate, known as cT3 prostate cancer patients, has 20 years survival rate if treated with radical prostatectomy, or surgery to remove the prostate gland. Previously, patients found to have cT3 prostate cancer were offered radiation or hormone treatment, but not radical prostatectomy. "We are doing a much better job of identifying and expanding candidates for surgery, which results in better, longer outcomes for so many of our patients," said R. Jeffrey Karnes of Mayo Clinic's Department of Urology. "We have confirmed that patients diagnosed with locally advanced prostate cancer can enjoy a long, cancer-free interval," he added. To determine the quality outcome for cT3 patients, the study compared 80 percent survival rate for prostate diagnoses at 20 years with 90 percent for cT2, or cancer confined to the prostate. The study sample also included patients diagnosed and operated on between 1987 and 1997. Ongoing research will examine contemporary data. The findings were presented at the 'American Urological Association Annual Meeting in Washington'. (ANI)