An ability to forecast accurately the natural life expectancy of the host, the malignant
potential of the tumor, the extent of the tumor, the responsiveness of the tumor to treatment,
and the risk-benefit ratios of different treatments would make the management of a patient
with a neoplasm categorical and rational and the end result predictable and
comprehensible. Although characterization of these features for patients with prostatic
cancer is improving progressively, major gaps in information remain, and predictability in an …