Radiation Resistant Prostate Cancer

In men who have undergone external beam radiation therapy or brachytherapy (seed implants) and evidence for recurrent prostate cancer is confirmed, salvage radical prostatectomy can be considered. Candidates for salvage prostatectomy are men who were initially diagnosed with potentially curable prostate cancer who appear to have potentially curable cancer despite recurrence/persistence after radiation therapy. Since the potential for surgical complications is much higher in men with radiated pelvic tissues, the need to be cured of prostate cancer must be carefully weighed against the risk of treatment. Appropriately selected men generally do well after salvage radical perineal prostatectomy if treated by a surgeon with considerable experience and expertise.