[Results of external radiotherapy in localized cancer of the prostate]

External radiotherapy is considered to be a modality of treatment with a curative purpose for carcinoma de prostata. We have analysed a series of patients that received radical irradiation as treatment for tumor prostatic. We have the biochemical control results for these patients. We introduce the connection of the PSA nadir value (nPSA) and other prognostic variables with the survival free of biochemical failure.

Between January 1992 to January 1998, 46 patients with prostate cancer T1-3 NX M0 received external radiotherapy with a curative purpose. A number of 26 of these patients received treatment with androgen blockers. The answer to this treatment was established as a fall in PSA to levels equal/minor than 1.5 ng/ml. The biochemical relapse was established as three rises of PSA over the value of nPSA.

We introduce the connection between nPSA and prognostic variables (clinic stage, gleason, PSA pretreatment y hormonal therapy). Three of these variables--clinic stage, Gleason grade and hormonal therapy--were the ones that showed a significantly connection with obtaining a low level of PSA. The 3-year actuarial BDFS was of 69.5%. The BDFS was of 84.3%, 9% and 6% for a value of nPSA of < or = 1 ng/ml, 1-2 ng/ml and > 2 ng/ml respectively (p < 0.05).

Radiotherapy seems to be a good therapeutical option with patients suffering from localised prostate carcinoma. The nPSA value after radiation is a good early determinant of outcome.