Patients after radical prostatectomy should have
an undetectable PSA level. Systemic PSA detection (>0.2 ng/mL) is indicative
of recurrent local or systemic disease. The risk of biochemical recurrence is
dependent on the local extent of tumor (organ confined vs. extracapsular
penetration), invasion of seminal vesicles or lymph nodes and Gleason sum
score. However, Gleason score and extent of local disease in the prostatic
specimen provides a far more accurate means of estimating the risk of disease
recurrence (Pound et al. 1997).
Results for return of urinary control after
prostatectomy vary greatly from surgeon to surgeon in different series, urinary
control returns for 75-98% of patients postoperatively. Return of erectile
function may take up to 12-18 months, and achievement of erections adequate for
vaginal penetration and climax occur in 40-80% of men in selected series, based
on the number of neurovascular bundles preserved, age of the patient,
preoperative erectile function, and extent of tumor.
