The prognostic value of prostate specific antigen in the follow-up of patients after radical prostatectomy.

The authors compared the PSA levels in 19 patients who had undergone radical prostatectomy between 1986 and 1991. Measurements were done preoperatively, 3-4 weeks postoperatively and at the end of 1993. The increase of the average preoperative level corresponds to the stage of the disease (local, local advanced, metastatic lymph nodes). Patients with high preoperative PSA levels have a higher risk for progression, even if their postoperative PSA values are normal. While the predictive value of low PSA levels measured immediately after prostatectomy is small, high postoperative PSA levels are unfavourable prognostic signs.