Undetectable PSA” (419 patients)
0.03 ng/ml or less
“Low detectable, stable PSA” (93 patients)
PSA greater than 0.03 and less than 0.2 ng/ml
No two subsequent increases in PSA, and/or
PSA velocity less than 0.05 ng/ml/yr
“Low detectable, unstable PSA” (54 patients)
PSA greater than 0.03 and less than 0.2 ng/ml
Two subsequent increases in PSA, and/or
PSA velocity of 0.05 ng/ml/yr or greater
The 7-year recurrence-free survival rates for the three groups were found to be:
95 percent in the “undetectable PSA” group
94 percent in the “low detectable, stable PSA” group
37 percent in the “low detectable, unstable PSA” group
Fewer than a third of patients with a post-prostatectomy biochemical recurrence experienced systemic progression, and it takes a median of 8 years for distant metastatic progression, and 13 years for mortality to occur,