Natural history of persistently elevated prostate specific antigen after radical prostatectomy
October 18th, 2009 Posted in prostatectomyA recent study at Department of Surgery and Duke Prostate Center, Durham, North Carolina. has examined natural history, predictors of biochemical recurrence and all cause mortality in patients with persistently elevated prostate specific antigen after radical prostatectomy in the Shared Equal Access Regional Cancer Hospital cohort.
Researchers reviewed data on 1,156 men treated with radical prostatectomy after 1997. They concluded that prostate specific antigen (PSA) persistence is associated with increased biochemical recurrence and overall mortality. In men with persistence the PSA, nadir is an independent predictor of recurrence and mortality. Thus, prostate PSA and nadir are important tools for early postoperative risk stratification.