Background: Following radical prostatectomy, between 15 and 60% of all patients with pT3 prostate cancer experience persistence or increasing levels of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) as a sign of tumor persistence or progression within 5 years. Retrospective studies have shown a rate of 35–55% of positive biopsies from the vesicourethral anastomosis in this situation. Best treatment for these disease conditions is under debate, current strategies include adjuvant radiotherapy (RT), ‘wait-and-see‘ and salvage RT or hormone therapy for increasing PSA. Results: A number of retrospective studies have shown an increased rate of local control and ‘freedom from treatment failure‘ following adjuvant RT with doses in the range of 50–60 Gy. However, no survival benefit could be demonstrated by now. Results of three major phase III studies are pending. In case of persisting or increasing PSA levels following radical prostatectomy, 30–70% of these patients will reach an undetectable PSA level after conformal RT with total doses of 60–70 Gy, which will stay undetectable or at least stable within the next 2–5 years in about 50% and therefore offering a chance of cure. When starting RT, PSA should be as low as possible (<2 ng/ml). With higher PSA levels the chance of achieving an undetectable PSA again decreases below 35%. High Gleason scores of 8–10, seminal vesicle involvement and a short PSA doubling time are adverse prognostic factors. Severe late side effects of conformal RT are infrequent (<3%). In contrast, hormonal treatment is of palliative nature in the long run, with a median time to development of metastases of 4–7 years, and can be offered to patients with progressive disease after RT. Conclusions: Adjuvant RT following radical prostatectomy for pT3 prostate cancer offers higher local control rates and an increase in ‘freedom from treatment failure‘, but no prolongation of survival has yet been shown. In the situation of increasing PSA levels after radical prostatectomy, salvage RT seems to offer a chance of cure in selected patients, although it is difficult to draw firm conclusions because of generally too short follow-up times.

This content is only available via PDF.
© 2002 S. Karger GmbH, Freiburg
2002
Copyright / Drug Dosage / Disclaimer
Copyright: All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be translated into other languages, reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, microcopying, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.
Drug Dosage: The authors and the publisher have exerted every effort to ensure that drug selection and dosage set forth in this text are in accord with current recommendations and practice at the time of publication. However, in view of ongoing research, changes in government regulations, and the constant flow of information relating to drug therapy and drug reactions, the reader is urged to check the package insert for each drug for any changes in indications and dosage and for added warnings and precautions. This is particularly important when the recommended agent is a new and/or infrequently employed drug.
Disclaimer: The statements, opinions and data contained in this publication are solely those of the individual authors and contributors and not of the publishers and the editor(s). The appearance of advertisements or/and product references in the publication is not a warranty, endorsement, or approval of the products or services advertised or of their effectiveness, quality or safety. The publisher and the editor(s) disclaim responsibility for any injury to persons or property resulting from any ideas, methods, instructions or products referred to in the content or advertisements.
You do not currently have access to this content.