title: Therapeutic irradiation for patients with an elevated post-prostatectomy prostate specific antigen level.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study was initiated to determine the efficacy of post-prostatectomy therapeutic radiation for patients with elevated prostate specific antigen (PSA).
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 47 patients received 66 Gy. therapeutic irradiation to the prostate bed for a PSA level greater than 0 ng./ml. postoperatively. Univariate and multivariate survival analyses were performed to identify prognostic variables.
  
  
  RESULTS
  At a median followup of 36 months (range 18 to 48) 83 and 33% of the patients with PSA 2 ng./ml. or less and 2 ng./ml. or greater, respectively, had no evidence of disease (p = 0.001). Pathological stage and a complete biochemical response (PSA less than 0.05 ng./ml.) were also significant prognostic variables.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Therapeutic irradiation for patients with elevated PSA postoperatively is highly effective. At a median followup of 36 months 64% of the patients remain disease-free.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiation Oncology, Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan 48201, USA.
authors.forename: J D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Forman
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Meetze
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Pontes
authors.forename: D P
authors.initials: DP
authors.lastname: Wood
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Shamsa
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Rana
authors.forename: A T
authors.initials: AT
authors.lastname: Porter
mesh_terms: D000206:Actuarial Analysis; D000368:Aged; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D011182:Postoperative Care; D011379:Prognosis; D017430:Prostate-Specific Antigen / Q000097:blood*; D011468:Prostatectomy; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000097:blood / Q000401:mortality / Q000532:radiotherapy* / Q000601:surgery*; D015996:Survival Rate
chemical_list: D017430:Prostate-Specific Antigen