Aim: After radical prostatectomy, PSA levels that reach near zero values in less than 14 days are associated with a favourable prognosis. The aim of this analysis was to investigate whether PSA also declines to near zero values after combined tele-brachytherapy.
Materials and methods: Forty-one patient, treated with combined tele-brachytherapy for prostate cancer, were followed for at least 2 years after treatment with repeated PSA measurements.
Results: PSA values <1.0 ng/ml were only reached after 15 months; near zero PSA levels were not reached until 18-24 months after treatment (median: 0.25 ng/ml).
Conclusion: A PSA decline to near zero values occurs after definitive tele-brachytherapy, but it takes longer than after surgery (18-24 months).