Related Experiment Videos
Defining recurrence after radiation for prostate cancer
Deborah A Kuban1, Howard D Thames, William U Shipley
1Department of Radiation Oncology and Biostatistics, University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA.
The Journal of Urology
|May 10, 2005
Summary
Prostate specific antigen (PSA) recurrence definitions after radiation for prostate cancer need review. A universal PSA definition for tumor recurrence across treatments should be explored for better comparison.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Urology
Background:
- Prostate cancer treatment involves external beam radiation, brachytherapy, and prostatectomy.
- Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels are used to monitor treatment efficacy and detect recurrence.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review current PSA definitions of recurrence after external beam radiation for prostate cancer.
- To compare these definitions with those used for other treatment modalities.
Main Methods:
- A comprehensive MEDLINE literature search was conducted.
- The review focused on definitions of recurrence following external beam radiation, brachytherapy, and prostatectomy.
Main Results:
- While current PSA recurrence definitions for external beam radiation are reasonable, more sensitive and specific alternatives exist.
- Thorough evaluation and standardized comparison of failure definitions across all treatment modalities are needed.
- Differences in PSA production due to treatment modalities must be considered for accurate comparisons.
Conclusions:
- PSA definitions for tumor recurrence after external beam radiation require re-evaluation in light of long-term follow-up data.
- A consensus conference is recommended to review and update these definitions.
- Exploring a universal PSA definition for tumor recurrence across multiple treatment modalities is warranted.