[PSA rise after radical prostatectomy]

Approximately 18 % of patients will experience PSA failure only after radical prostatectomy. The rate of clinical (local or systemic) recurrence is in the same range. Clinical recurrence is accompanied by an increasing PSA in almost all cases. Altogether, the 10-year risk of PSA recurrence after radical prostatectomy for clinically localized prostate cancer is about 35 %. PSA relapse precedes the development of metastases by a median time of 8 years. The median survival after the manifestation of metastases is about 4-5 years. To differentiate the reasons of PSA failure, recurrence-free interval, Gleason score and PSA doubling time deliver important information. Patients with a high probability of isolated local failure (PSA relapse later than two years after radical prostatectomy) should undergo a biopsy, if a local radiotherapy is considered. The results of current clinical trials are eagerly awaited to answer the question weather immediate, delayed or intermittent hormonal therapy offer best results in individual cases.