Jd. Forman et al., THERAPEUTIC IRRADIATION FOR PATIENTS WITH AN ELEVATED POSTPROSTATECTOMY PROSTATE-SPECIFIC ANTIGEN LEVEL, The Journal of urology, 158(4), 1997, pp. 1436-1439
Purpose: This study was initiated to determine the efficacy of post-pr
ostatectomy therapeutic radiation for patients with elevated prostate
specific antigen (PSA). Materials and Methods: A total of 47 patients
received 66 Gy. therapeutic irradiation to the prostate bed for a PSA
level greater than 0 ng./ml. postoperatively, Univariate and multivari
ate survival analyses were performed to identify prognostic variables.
Results: At a median followup of 36 months (range 18 to 48) 83 and 33
% of the patients with PSA 2 ng./ml. or less and 2 ng./ml, or greater,
respectively, had no evidence of disease (p = 0.001). Pathological st
age and a complete biochemical, response (PSA less than 0.05 ng./ml.)
were also significant prognostic variables. Conclusions: Therapeutic i
rradiation for patients with elevated PSA postoperatively is highly ef
fective, At a median followup of 36 months 64% of the patients remain
disease-free.