OBJECTIVEThe progression of prostate cancer (PCa) after endocrine therapy varies widely in different PCa patients. This study aims to analyze the factors that influence the progression-free survival time of PCa patients after endocrine therapy in an attempt to improve the prognosis of the disease.

METHODSWe reviewed the clinicopathological data of 116 cases of prostate cancer treated by endocrine therapy, analyzed the clinicopathological factors that influence the progression-free survival time of PCa patients using univariate (log-rank test) and multivariate Cox proportional hazard models, and investigated the correlation among these factors by Spearman rank correlation analysis.

RESULTSIn the stepwise Cox proportional hazard model, the independent prognostic factors for PCa progression after endocrine therapy were found to be Gleason score (P < 0.01) and clinical stages (P < 0.01). The hazard of PCa progression after endocrine therapy increased 2.126 times that of the baseline for each unit of increase in Gleason score, and 6.625 times for each unit of increase in the clinical stage. The pretreatment PSA level was correlated with both clinical stages (P < 0.01) and Gleason score (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONClinical stages and Gleason score were important factors that influenced the progression-free survival time after endocrine therapy in this cohort of PCa patients.