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A New Technique for Treating Low-risk Prostate Cancer—Super Active Surveillance
Published on: November 7, 2025
Radiotherapy: PSA nadir predicts long-term mortality.
1Clinical Research, Fox Chase Cancer Center, 333 Cottman Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19111-2497, USA. mark.buyyounouski@fccc.edu
Nature Reviews. Clinical Oncology
|April 1, 2010
Summary
A prostate-specific antigen (PSA) nadir level of 1.5 ng/ml within two years of radiotherapy predicts distant metastases and prostate cancer death. This finding aids in assessing treatment efficacy and patient prognosis.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Urology
Background:
- Prostate cancer management involves monitoring prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels.
- Radiotherapy is a common treatment modality for prostate cancer.
- Predicting treatment outcomes is crucial for patient care.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the predictive value of nadir PSA levels post-radiotherapy.
- To determine the relationship between nadir PSA and distant metastases.
- To evaluate the association between nadir PSA and cause-specific mortality in prostate cancer patients.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of prostate cancer patients treated with radiotherapy.
- Monitoring of PSA levels to determine nadir values within two years post-treatment.
- Correlation analysis between nadir PSA levels and the occurrence of distant metastases and prostate cancer-specific mortality.
Main Results:
- A nadir PSA level of 1.5 ng/ml or lower within two years of radiotherapy was identified as a significant predictor.
- Patients achieving this nadir PSA level demonstrated a lower risk of distant metastases.
- Lower nadir PSA levels correlated with reduced cause-specific mortality from prostate cancer.
Conclusions:
- Nadir PSA level post-radiotherapy is a valuable prognostic biomarker.
- Achieving a nadir PSA of 1.5 ng/ml or less indicates favorable outcomes.
- This marker can help stratify patients for risk of progression and mortality.
