DIMINISHED SURVIVAL OF YOUNG BLACKS WITH ADENOCARCINOMA OF THE PROSTATE

The survival rates of 117 black and white patients treated by primary radiation for carcinoma of the prostate at the State University of New York Health Science Center at Brooklyn and Kings County Hospital Center were analyzed according to age and race. In addition, stage, grade, and delay time in seeking medical attention were analyzed. Survival was similar in both young (<60 years) and old (≥60 years) patients, with 45% and 41% 5-year-survival rates, respectively. Survival was better in white patients, 48% 5-year survival, than in blacks, 35% 5-year survival. Black patients presented with higher stage disease than whites (p < 0.01). This trend was even greater in young black males, who had higher grade (64% versus 11%; p < 0.04) and higher stage tumors (p < 0.05). In addition, young blacks delayed seeking medical attention >3 months 72% of the time, as compared to 0% in white young males (p < 0.005). A survival difference was also seen in young blacks as compared with young whites: 3.9-year median survival versus 6.0-year median survival, respectively.