1. ¹Department of Urology, University Hospital, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
2. ²Department of Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
3. ³Department of Radiology, University Hospital, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium

Correspondence: Professor H Van Poppel, Department of Urology, University Hospital, KU Leuven, B-3000 Leuven, Belgium. E-mail: Hendrik.VanPoppel@uz.kuleuven.ac.be

Received 24 November 2008; Revised 12 January 2009; Accepted 13 January 2009; Published online 24 February 2009.

Abstract

The aim of this review is to provide a discussion of the diagnostic evaluation of biochemical recurrence following radical prostatectomy (RP) and an overview of the postoperative hormonal treatment (HT) options. As no randomized trials in the clinical setting of postoperative prostate-specific antigen recurrence have been reported, there is no conclusive evidence that HT after RP will prolong survival or reduce morbidity. Non-traditional approaches, such as intermittent androgen deprivation, non-steroidal anti-androgens and combination of finasteride and non-steroidal anti-androgen, are investigated and may be acceptable options. Combinations of HT with radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy for treatment of recurrent prostate cancer are under study.