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Long-term outcome of detectable PSA levels after radical prostatectomy

Abstract

Detectable prostate-specific antigen levels (PSA) following radical prostatectomy (RP) are believed to represent treatment failure. In this retrospective review, we characterize long-term PSA outcomes following RP (n=204) in a nonreferral hospital performed between 1984 and 1994. With an average follow-up of 10 y, 90 (44%) patients developed a PSA recurrence: 15 (17%) died of prostate cancer despite hormonal intervention, 39 (43%) responded to hormonal therapy with stable remission and 36 (40%) were observed without intervention. Following RP many patients may have a detectable PSA that does not require treatment. PSA doubling time (<12 months) was the best predictor of disease progression.

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Correspondence to T E Ahlering.

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Ahlering, T., Skarecky, D. Long-term outcome of detectable PSA levels after radical prostatectomy. Prostate Cancer Prostatic Dis 8, 163–166 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.pcan.4500788

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