Radiation treatment options for recurrent prostate cancer

[skyhag]

My husband had laparoscopic prostate removal April 2004 and had undetected PSA until Oct. 2006.  At that time, PSA had risen to 0.7 and remained the same in Feb. 2007.  He is scheduled for another PSA test in June.  With the fear of recurrence, I have been researching radiation therapy following prostate surgery.  I have been reading about 3D CRT and IMRT radiation and was wondering if this is used in recurrent cases or is it only beneficial as an initial radiation treatment for prostate cancer?  I want to be as educated as possible before the next urologist appointment in case radiation is suggested. Thank you, in advance, for any information you may provide.

[bliz335]

A related discussion, metabolic syndrome was started.

[skyhag]

I am so pleased to hear of your good report.  I have not been back to this site until this a.m.  Today is the dreaded appt. to learn of psa reading.  He has been faithful to consume 8oz pom juice daily for the past couple of months.  It would be nice to receive as wonderful a report as yours. He may try the pom extract since you have had good results (the juice gets a little "hard to swallow" over time)  Again, I am so thankful for your good report and appreciate you sharing it with us.  Best wishes

[donAlfonso]

Hope you see this.  Want to let you know that after 3 months of taking pomegranate juice extract, my PSA went from .24 down to .15!  I am, with urologist's agreement, postponing any radiation treatment unless PSA starts to rise again. Will have another PSA in 3 months, and am continuing on the extract.  Hope you and your husband are well.

dA

[Ash Tewari, MD, M.Ch.]

The decision needs to be taken after next PSA report is available. For prostate cancers, in general, recurrence could be local, or in the bone, and if the recurrence is in the bone, local radiation has a limited role.
The preoperative biospy, and final histopathology need to be reviewed before these decisions are taken and details of various RT modalities could then be discussed with a radiation oncologist