[Prostate-specific antigen bounce after permanent seed prostate brachytherapy: a literature review]

Abstract

Permanent seeds brachytherapy is a standard in the treatment of localized prostate cancer. Follow-up of patients treated with brachytherapy relies on monitoring the concentration of PSA. It is supposed to decrease steadily to a nadir after several years. This decrease could be disrupted by transient and benign elevation of the marker, sometimes mimicking genuine biochemical relapses, sources of anxiety for patients or even unnecessary tests. While the precise mechanisms of this phenomenon are poorly understood, their characteristics have been, however, extensively studied. This work aims to make an update on the current state of knowledge.