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Select transition zone prostate cancers may be radiocurable despite markedly elevated prostate-specific antigen
1Department of Radiation Oncology, Harvard Medical School, North Dartmouth, MA 02747, USA.
Summary
High prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels in transition zone prostate cancer patients can still achieve prolonged PSA failure-free survival. External beam radiation therapy may offer a successful treatment option for similar cases.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Urology
Background:
- A 1993 report described three men with transition zone prostate cancer.
- These patients maintained prostate-specific antigen (PSA) failure-free status for 22 months despite high PSA levels postoperatively.
Purpose of the Study:
- To illustrate the potential for prolonged PSA failure-free survival in transition zone prostate cancer.
- To highlight the role of external beam radiation therapy in achieving this outcome.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of patients with transition zone prostate cancer.
- Analysis of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels and failure-free survival.
- Evaluation of treatment outcomes following external beam radiation therapy.
Main Results:
- Patients treated with external beam radiation therapy demonstrated prolonged PSA failure-free survival.
- This outcome was observed even in cases with initially high PSA levels.
Conclusions:
- External beam radiation therapy is a viable option for achieving long-term PSA failure-free survival in select patients with transition zone prostate cancer.
- This approach may be particularly beneficial for patients with high PSA levels.