Definition |
Once a PSA relapse has been diagnosed, it is important to determine whether the recurrence has developed at local or distant sites. The risk of subsequent metastases and PCSM may be predicted by the initial clinical factors (e.g. T-category, PSA, biopsy Gleason score). If the patient has undergone RP, the pathological outcomes of the surgery (e.g. pathologic T-category and prostatectomy Gleason score, nodal and margin status) may provide further information. Beyond pre- and posttreatment clinico-pathological factors, PSA kinetics (PSA doubling-time (PSA-DT) and interval to PSA failure) may be used to estimate the risk of metastases and subsequent PCSM.
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