Utilization of local salvage therapy after primary radiotherapy for prostate cancer.

Abstract

231 Background: Early biochemical detection and subsequent slow progression of recurrent prostate cancer after primary radiotherapy permit the delivery of potentially curative local salvage therapy (LST). Several LST options are available, including cryotherapy, brachytherapy (BT), and radical prostatectomy (RP). We studied the rates at which patients are offered, and receive LST after failure of primary radiotherapy. Methods: Patients with localized prostate cancer who received primary radiotherapy with curative intent between 1999-2000 were identified in the British Columbia radiotherapy database. Data on clinicopathologic features, primary therapy, PSA kinetics, and salvage therapy were collected retrospectively. We excluded patients with T4 tumors, PSA >40, or age >72 years at time of primary therapy. Biochemical recurrence (BCR) was defined by the Phoenix criteria. Patients were also deemed radiation failures if salvage therapy was started without meeting criteria for BCR. Results: Out of 1785 patients treated with radiation, 1067 met the inclusion criteria. Of these, 257 experienced BCR. Five patients received LST (3 RP, 2 BT). LST was considered in 11 other patients, but 2 were not referred for urologic opinion, and 9 declined intervention. 60 patients were considered ineligible for LST: 43 due to suspected metastasis and 17 due to other comorbidities. LST was unlikely to be offered to 80 patients due to age >75 at time of BCR. 59 additional patients appeared to be eligible for LST but there was no evidence that it was considered in the medical record. ADT was started within 12 months of BCR in 118 patients, and after at least one year of observation in another 66. Conclusions: Few patients were considered for LST in the study period, and only 5 received it. This review of practice patterns reveals a lack of uniform monitoring and treatment strategies in this challenging patient population, and indicates a need for more collaboration between all treating physicians, as well as with tertiary care centers.