What Is Prostate Cancer Recurrence?

It"s important for patients that have been diagnosed with prostate cancer to be monitored constantly by doctors

. After surgery or another form of treatment, patients may experience rising PSA levels, which may be a sign of prostate cancer recurrence. The recurrence of the cancer may call for additional treatment.

There are many possible options for treating prostate cancer. Conventional forms include active surveillance, surgery, radiation therapy, hormone therapy, chemotherapy, and biological therapy. In addition, there are alternative forms of treatment that are less invasive and dangerous. Alternative forms for treatment include programs to increase overall health and nutrition generally and may slow down the spreading of prostate cancer. Any of these forms of treatment may be effective at slowing the growth of prostate cancer. After effective treatment, however; doctors may observe prostate cancer recurrence.

Prostate cancer recurrence means that prostate cancer has returned after initial treatment. One indicator of recurrence of rising PSA levels following treatment. Prostate specific antigen (PSA) is a protein produced by the prostate gland. High PSA levels are common indicators of prostate cancer or an enlarged prostate. Often times, after initial treatment, such as surgery to remove the prostate gland, PSA levels will decline. If PSA levels begin to rise after surgery, it may be a sign of recurrence.

Prostate cancer can recur in the tissue surrounding the prostate or seminal vesicles. It can also recur in the lymph nodes located in the pelvis. It may also spread to tissue surrounding the prostate such as muscles that control the bladder and rectum. When analyzing recurrence or the initial onset of prostate cancer, it"s important to determine the type of prostate cancer.

There are several different types of prostate cancer. Types of prostate cancer might more accurately be referred to as stages of prostate cancer. There are four stages of prostate cancer that are used to classify or describe how far the cancer has spread throughout the body. In stage 1, cancer is in the early stages and is located only in the prostate. In stage 2, the cancer has spread throughout the entire prostate but is still contained within the structure. In stage 3, the cancer has spread to surrounding structures such as the seminal vesicles, bladder, or rectum. In stage 4, cancer has spread to distant parts of the body (also called metastasis) and is extremely threatening to the patients" health. When analyzing the recurrence of prostate cancer, it"s important to determine the stage it"s so you can know which form of treatment is most appropriate and effective.

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