Radiotherapy After Prostatectomy Improves Survival: Study

1. Men who are diagnosed with prostate cancer that is aggressive enough to demand a prostatectomy may benefit from immediate post-surgical radiotherapy regardless of their prostate-specific antigen levels. That’s the conclusion of a recent study that looked at information related to more than 1,000 patients who were followed for nearly 9 years. The findings buck standard convention in that doctors typically monitor PSA levels following surgery before considering radiotherapy. Should elevations be noted, salvage radiotherapy will likely be recommended to safeguard men from recurrence, distant metastases and other concerns. The research, however, showed that men who receive early salvage radiotherapy tended to have a much better outlook. The results prompted researchers to recommend radiotherapy after surgery without waiting to see whether PSA levels will rise. The findings support improved outcomes in recurrence, spread and mortality when therapy is initiated sooner rather than later after prostatectomy.

2. Men who are diagnosed with prostate cancer are strongly urged to talk to their doctors about all treatment options. Treatment recommendations may vary greatly from case to case based on a man’s personal circumstances, the aggressiveness of the tumor and the stage during which diagnosis is made. Many doctors proceed with caution in treating prostate cancer that is considered low grade simply to help spare their patients from potential side effects associated with treatment. Higher risk cancers, however, have been shown to respond very well to treatments such as surgical removal of the prostate, radiotherapy and brachytherapy. As the study shows, a combination therapy that follows surgery with radiation may improve long-term outcomes. An estimated 160,000 American men will face a diagnosis of prostate cancer this year. This type of cancer is generally deemed highly treatable if it is caught in its earlier phases. Men who are concerned about the disease should speak with their doctors about their risk and the potential need for early screening.