Monitoring of PSA changes and assessment of the diagnostic value of PSA growth rates in patients with prostate cancer after radical prostatectomy

Abstract

Objective. To define the prognostic value of the growth rate (GR) in the level of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) after radical prostatectomy (RPE).

Materials and methods. The data on 48 patients who underwent RPE in 1999—2006, in whom a biochemical recurrence was verified on the basis of the results of PSA monitoring, were retrospectively analyzed. PSA GR was calculated for each patient. Correlation analysis using the major predictors was also made.

Results. During a follow-up, overall and tumor-specific survivals were 91,7 and 93,8%, respectively. Five-year relapse-free survival calculated by the Kaplan-Meier method was 67%. PSA GR proved to be an independent predictor of relapse-free survival. Generalization was more common at a PSA GR of > 2 ng/ml/year while a PSA GR of 1,0—2,0 ng/ml/year is more typical of the development of a localized recurrence.

Conclusion. Analysis of post-PRE PSA GR makes it possible to predict the postoperative course of prostate cancer, to reveal its early progression, and to perform therapy in due time. For early diagnosis of its clinical progression, it is expedient to assess a combination of predictors, by making up progression-risk groups.