Many men with localized prostate cancer undergo a radical prostatectomy (RP) to remove the prostate gland. While RP is often effective, cancer can still return. One sign of this is a rising level of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) in the blood, called biochemical recurrence (BCR). When BCR happens, more treatment is needed.
Radiation therapy is a common approach after prostatectomy. There are two main ways radiation is used:
- Salvage Radiotherapy (SRT): This is used when BCR is detected after surgery. The goal is to target any remaining cancer cells.
- Adjuvant Radiotherapy: This is given after surgery, even if there’s no sign of BCR. It’s usually considered for men at high risk of the cancer returning.
So, what is the success rate of radiation after prostatectomy? It depends on a few things, including your PSA level at the time of treatment, the Gleason score of the original tumor, and the dose of radiation used. Treatment is often tailored to your individual risk factors.
This article discusses the success rates of both adjuvant and salvage radiation therapy after prostatectomy. We’ll look at the factors that influence how well radiation works and what treatment strategies might be best.
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