Intra-arterial chemotherapy and radiotherapy combined with hormone therapy for the treatment of prostate cancer

Between 1981 and 1994, 30 patients with prostate adenocarcinoma were treated with intra-arterial chemotherapy and radiotherapy combined with hormone therapy. Clinically, 24 out of 26 patients with newly diagnosed prostate cancer achieved a partial response (PR), while 11 out of 26 patients achieved a grade 3 histological tumor response. Eight of these patients relapsed, but only one of them failed to achieve local control. The 5-, and 10-year cause-specific survival rates for the 26 patients were 68% and 57%, respectively. A significantly higher survival rate was observed in patients who had stage B or C prostate cancer (p<0.01), and in those who achieved PR (p<0.01). The prognosis of 4 patients with relapsed prostate cancer was miserable and 3 of them died of cancer within 2 years after the commencement of treatment. The toxic side effects which were observed, comprised myelosuppression, nausea/vomiting, proctitis due to radiotherapy, and neuropathy. However, no patient died of these treatment-related complications. These results suggest that intra-arterial chemotherapy and radiotherapy combined with hormone therapy is a useful regimen for the local control of prostate cancer, but as regards the usefulness of this treatment for producing a systemic effect, a longer follow-up with a greater number of patients is necessary before any conclusions can be made. (author)