The prognostic importance of prostate specific antigen in the monitorisation of patients undergoing maximum androgen blockade for metastatic prostate cancer

The changes in serum prostate specific antigen (PSA) concentrations can be used as a prognostic factor in patients undergoing maximum androgen blockade for metastatic prostate cancer. A total of 149 patients followed up in our department were classified into 4 groups on the basis of PSA changes: group 1; those with normalisation of PSA levels within the first 3 months, group 2; those with normalisation PSA between months 3 and 6, group 3; those with a decrease in PSA but not reaching normal range, group 4; those with no decrease. The gleason scores and the number of bone metastases were also compared between the groups. The time to progression was significantly delayed in group 1 (mean: 23.3 months) compared to those with group 2 (mean: 16.9 months) (P