HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

adjuvant and salvage

Support Forums
>
Prostate Cancer
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 8/27/2009 11:24 AM (GMT 0)
What is the difference between adjuvant and salvage radiation?

 

Posted 8/27/2009 11:38 AM (GMT 0)

Adjuvant is when radiation is done as part of the first treatment plan alongside surgery. Salvage radiation is done when there is a future biochemical recurrence with a rise in PSA after surgery.

I too had a positive apical margin. In my case the Dr did not recomment adjuvant radiation. My PSA was 6 and I had a microscopic margin.

Whether to start radiation immediately (adjuvant) or wait for a rise in PSA (salvage) is a tough decision. I wish you all the best.

Posted 8/27/2009 1:10 PM (GMT 0)
Generally the time at which the treatment is given but that has been blurred by the ultra sensitive psa test which allows trends to be spotted early and salvage treatment to commence 2 plus years after surgery but at psa levels less than the standard set for recurrence.  So is it adjuvant or salvage if you are two years out from surgery but your psa is .1 I don't know and I don't think it really matters.  Just my thoughts.
Posted 8/27/2009 1:15 PM (GMT 0)
Adjuvant is usually part of the one's primary treatment, whereby the patient has surgery first, then has radiation as soon as healing from the surgery makes its possible. The older definition states that adjuvant is within 6 months of surgery, and salvage radiation is six months month or more beyond surgery.

David in SC
Posted 8/27/2009 1:48 PM (GMT 0)
My uro said that he no longer does adjuvant except in very rare cases. His view is that going immediately to radiation exposes too many to unneeded treatment, while delaying and watching PSA levels seems to introduce little extra risk.
Posted 8/27/2009 3:04 PM (GMT 0)
geezer, that has been my uro's opinion from the start. surgery, then wait and watch, and radiate if needed
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply