Abstract
Introduction The changes in serum prostate specific antigen (PSA) concentrations can be used as a prognostic factor in patients undergoing maximum androgen blockade for metastatic prostate cancer. Material and method A total of 149 patients followed up in our department were classified into 4 groups on the basis of PSA changes: group 1; those with normalisation of PSA levels within the first 3 months, group 2; those with normalisation PSA between months 3 and 6, group 3; those with a decrease in PSA but not reaching normal range, group 4; those with no decrease. The gleason scores and the number of bone metastases were also compared between the groups. Result The time to progression was significantly delayed in group 1 (mean: 23.3 months) compared to those with group 2 (mean: 16.9 months) (P < 0.02). The time to progression in group 3 (mean: 8.45 months) was significantly shorter compared to the first two groups (P < 0.001). Also, in patients with gleason scores 5–7 (grades 2) and gleason scores over 7 (grade 3) and group 1, the time to progression (mean: 21.2 months) was significantly delayed compared to those with the same gleason scores but with group 2 (mean: 13.4 months) (P < 0.001). Conclusion The decrease in PSA level is more important than gleason scores in determining the time to progression. Early normalisation of PSA delays the time to progression, and when combined with gleason scores, PSA is an important prognostic factor in predicting the success of the therapy.
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Kiper, A., Yiğitbası, O., Imamoglu, A. et al. The prognostic importance of prostate specific antigen in the monitorisation of patients undergoing maximum androgen blockade for metastatic prostate cancer. Int Urol Nephrol 38, 571–576 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11255-006-0096-0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11255-006-0096-0