There are several controversies regarding the management of prostate cancer. Whether curative treatment (e.g. radiotherapy and total prostatectomy) prolongs survival remains uncertain. Conservative management is beset with such unresolved issues as the effect on tumour progression of early instituted hormonal treatment and of treatment deferral. Since the outcome of the different types of treatment is unclear the value of screening and early detection remains uncertain. Owing to such issues as these, and the divergent views on prostate cancer, there is an urgent need of auditing. To co-ordinate prostate cancer care in the South-east Region of Sweden, a local management programme with principles for investigation and treatment has been used since 1987. An important feature of the programme is a register containing information on all cases of prostate cancer in the region, including the patient's national registration number, date of diagnosis, basis of diagnosis (cytology, pathology), tumour stage, histological grade, first line treatment, and date and cause of death. Secondary treatment has also been recorded since 1990, and treatment with prostate specific antigen since 1992. From 1987 to 1995, a total of 5,939 cases of prostate cancer were registered, the annual total increasing from 531 to 779 in 1993, after which there was a slight overall decrease but a small increase in the proportion of local tumours. The proportion of incidental tumours followed the same pattern as the transurethral prostatectomy rate in the region. M- and N-categorisation were done to a greater extent in the under-70 than in the over-70 age group. Orchidectomy is rapidly being replaced by treatment with GnRH (gonadotrophin-releasing hormone) analogues. Over the 9-year period, the total prostatectomy rate decreased from 12.5 to 4.6 per cent. All units responsible for prostate cancer care in the south-east region regularly receive processed updates from the register providing information on diagnostic and therapeutic methods used and their effect on mortality, thus providing a basis for improving the quality of prostate cancer care. Starting in 1997, a similar registration system is to be extended to cover the entire country.