Treatment results of salvage radiotherapy for biochemical recurrence after radical prostatectomy

In this retrospective study we reported the results of salvage external beam radiotherapy for patients with biochemical recurrence after radical prostatectomy. A total of 28 patients with biochemical recurrence after radical prostatectomy underwent salvage radiotherapy with (n=16) or without (n=12) hormonal therapy. Median radiation dose was 60 Gy. Biochemical recurrence after radiotherapy was defined as a single prostate-specific antigen (PSA) of at least 0.1 ng/ml. Potential risk factors were evaluated for significant associations with biochemical recurrence. The median follow-up period after salvage radiotherapy was 42 months. The actuarial biochemical recurrence free survival rate at 3 and 5 years was 81% and 74%, respectively. Addition of hormonal therapy to salvage radiotherapy did not alter biochemical recurrence rate (P=0.56). Univariate analysis revealed that Gleason score of 8 to 10 (P=0.026) and PSA before salvage therapy greater than 0.24 ng/ml (P=0.0016) were significant risk factors for biochemical recurrence. On multivariate analysis, PSA before salvage therapy greater than 0.24 ng/ml (P=0.017) maintained statistical significance. Of 28 patients 3 (11%) experienced late grade 3 toxicity of hematuria. Our data suggest that early use of salvage radiotherapy is beneficial for patients with biochemical recurrence after radical prostatectomy. (author)