Biochemical Recurrence Redefined(?)

The February 2007 issue of the Journal of Urology includes an article on
defining biochemical recurrence, using different criteria depending upon
clinical stage and treatment:

"Variation in the Definition of Biochemical Recurrence in Patients
Treated for Localized Prostate Cancer: The American Urological
Association Prostate Guidelines for Localized Prostate Cancer Update
Panel Report and Recommendations for a Standard in the Reporting of
Surgical Outcomes"

--by Cookson et al.

"A high degree of variability in the definition of biochemical
recurrence exists following treatment for localized prostate cancer.
Strict definitions for biochemical recurrence are necessary to identify
men at risk for disease progression and to allow meaningful comparisons
among patients treated similarly. The Panel acknowledges the American
Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology criteria and future
modifications thereof for those receiving radiation therapy and
recommends the newly developed American Urological Association criteria
for those treated with radical prostatectomy."

The clinical stage criteria under consideration were T1 or T2N0M0.

One recommendation: "Following radical prostatectomy, the Panel
recommends defining biochemical recurrence as an initial serum prostate
specific antigen of =/>0.2 ng/mL, with a second confirmatory level of
prostate specific antigen of >0.2 ng/mL."

Interestingly, the Panel also concluded, "The Panel acknowledges that
the clinical decision to initiate treatment will be dependent on
multiple factors including patient and physician interaction rather than
a specific prostate specific antigen threshold value."

The abstract can be found on PubMed at
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed
or
http://tinyurl.com/f2td

The PubMed ID number is 17222629.

Regards,

Steve J