Posttherapy Follow-up and First Intervention

Abstract

Cancer of the prostate (PCa) constitutes the most frequently diagnosed cancer in men. Following treatment with curative intent, recurrences will occur in a substantial number of patients at various time points after the primary therapy. Therefore, follow-up is intended not only for responsible care of patients but also to have the possibility of initiating second line of treatment with curative intent, early hormonal therapy after failure, or as part of a study protocol in selected patients. Patients' follow-up will vary depending on the treatment given, patients' age, co-morbidity, and ultimately, the patients' own wishes. To date, consensus on best-practice guidelines for PCa monitoring and posttreatment follow-up has not been reached. The aim of this work is to present a review on the strategies for monitoring patients after different types of therapies for PCa, and to define when a decision for intervention has to be taken during follow-up.