Significance of prostate-specific antigen-doubling time on survival of patients with hormone refractory prostate cancer and bone metastasis : Analysis on 56 cases of cancer-specific death

Objective:  Most of the metastatic diseases initially respond to maximum androgen blockade, but then relapse and lose response, and finally die. After relapse, the disease progresses in various courses. The present study was aimed to establish the predicting factors influencing the survival period of patients at prostate-specific antigen (PSA) relapse (entering the hormone refractory state). Materials and Methods:  Fifty-six patients with prostate cancer and bone metastasis, who were treated during the entire disease period at the same hospital and died were studied. To calculate PSA-doubling time, assay of PSA was carried out every 3 months or less. Results:  The period between PSA relapse and death was related with PSA-doubling time at relapse, nadir PSA and the period between the start of treatment and PSA relapse. The PSA-doubling time of 2 months or less at relapse was suggestive of a poor outcome. Final PSA-doubling time was not correlated with the survival period after PSA relapse. Conclusion:  The PSA-doubling time at relapse is one of the relevant factors for predicting the survival period after PSA relapse.