Should pathological T3 and/or margin positive prostate cancer receive adjuvant therapy? A radiation oncologist's view

Patients with pathological stage T3 and/or margin positive prostate cancer after radical prostatectomy have a high risk of tumor recurrence, usually heralded by rising PSA. Adjuvant therapy such as radiotherapy and/or hormone therapy needs to be explored to provide a better outcome. To date the exact role and result of adjuvant therapy remains unclear. However there has been increasing suggestion that adjuvant radiotherapy improves local control and disease free survival. Also adjuvant hormone therapy may play a role in this group of patients with a high metastatic potential. This review article addresses the clinical significance of PT3 and/or margin positive prostate cancer and explores the rationale behind considering adjuvant therapy including postoperative radiotherapy and/or hormone therapy.