The experience of radical prostatectomy for locally confined prostate cancer in Liege.

The authors report their experience of 148 radical prostatectomies performed for adeno-carcinoma. They expose the reasons which have led them to adopt this kind of treatment and the reasons explaining a nearly exponential increase of the frequency of the operation during the last 5 years. They underline the importance of lymphadenectomy and the safety of frozen sections of the nodes. The surgical technique is briefly commented and the (low) morbidity of the operation is reviewed. They compare the results of RPV to those of external radiotherapy, watchful attitude or immediate hormonal treatment and they conclude in insisting on the benefit of the surgical approach as far as indications (which are defined) are strictly followed.