Introduction

Abstract

The symposium “Prostate Cancer 2000” was organised on the occasion of the tenth anniversary of the European School of Oncology. This monograph presents the contributions of the members of the E.S.O. Task Force on Prostate Cancer. The Task Force Programme of the School, supported by a Kabi Pharmacia grant, has resulted in the publication of two monographs on the “Medical Management of Prostate Cancer” in 1988 and 1990. This third monograph represents the major achievements in the field of prostate cancer in the USA and Europe, ranging from epidemiological concepts over treatment of localised disease towards new options in the treatment of hormone independent cancer. Indeed, the timing of this symposium coincides with a great shift from treating metastatic disease towards curable localised disease by recent advances in early diagnosis and treatment, stimulating awareness and screening for prostate cancer. Great progress has been made by the U.S. National Prostate Cancer Program and the American Cancer Society, while the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer as well as the Europe Against Cancer Programme of the Community stimulated the development of new trials and the Pan European Screening Programme for Prostate Cancer.