Biochemical vs. Clinical Failure

[PrettyUnhappyGuy]

Can someone please explain to me, in language a non-scientific person can understand, the difference between biochemical failure and clinical failure?

When I asked my doctor, after radiation treatment, what to expect in the future, he said "there's a 20% chance of biochemical failure but don't worry it's only a 2 or 3% chance of clinical failure" and I was already in a panic hearing the 20% figure so didn't properly follow up and even ask what that means.

Thanks

[Tall_Allen]

"Biochemical Failure" only means that your PSA has risen to 2.0 over its lowest value. "Clinical failure" means that there is evidence of cancer too. Evidence may be on a scan and on a biopsy of the site seen as suspicious on that scan.