Urolog. pro Praxi, 2011; 12(1): 33-37

Clinical significance of histological findings following radiation therapy for prostate cancer

MUDr.Jaroslav Plachý¹, MUDr.David Ondra¹, MUDr.Antonín Večeřa²

¹ Urologické oddělení, Uherskohradišťská nemocnice a. s., Uherské Hradiště

² Oddělení patologie, Uherskohradišťská nemocnice a. s., Uherské Hradiště

The effectiveness of radiation therapy can be evaluated by monitoring the PSA level. Another option given to us is an ultrasound guided

prostate needle biopsy after radiotherapy with a time delay from radiotherapy. This work deals with an issue of clinical significance

of these histological findings. Histological specimens after radiotherapy can be obtained by the systemic biopsy with time delay from

radiotherapy, from the salvage prostatectomy specimen or transurethral prostatectomy. Evaluation of these findings is quite difficult.

Irradiated tissue undergoes continuous morphological changes that are partially inconspicuous. The presence of prostate carcinoma

in these specimen cannot confirm the vital tumor tissue with certainty. Even positive histological finding can later convert to negative.

PSA level and digital rectal exam remains the best ways to follow up the patient after radiotherapy. If we do not consider the indication

of salvage radical prostatectomy (SRP), we do not need to indicate the prostate biopsy. Nevertheless, the prostate biopsy is helpful

in prediction of disease progression before SRP. Evaluation of DNA ploidity and Gleason Score has significant predictive power after

salvage prostatectomy.

Keywords: radiotherapy, prostate carcinoma, biopsy, PSA, salvage prostatectomy

Published: February 25, 2011  Show citation