[Quality of life after biochemical recurrence in patients with prostate cancer. How and how long do patients live after biochemical recurrence?]

Abstract

Routine monitoring of PSA in patients with localized prostate cancer radically treated permits to identify those with biochemical recurrence only. Treatment options for biochemical failure include observation, surgery, radiotherapy alone or combined with hormonal therapy, brachytherapy, cryotherapy and hormone therapy exclusively. These treatments determine a specific pattern of changes (urinary function, bowel, sexual and hormonal) that can negatively impact the quality of life, so that the indication must be made in a judicious way and always in consonance with patient's expectations and preferences. Decisions on how and when to treat biochemical failure are complicated and the impact of salvage therapy on clinical outcome is unknown. Rates of prostate cancer control after salvage therapy with prostatectomy, brachytherapy or cryotherapy vary between 20-80% of cases according to selected patient characteristics. Because individuals with BF may be clinically asymptomatic for many years without treatment, it is essential that physicians and patients have a clear understanding of the potential impact of these on the quality of life.