The chance of prostate cancer returning after surgery, also known as the recurrence rate, varies depending on a number of factors, including the stage and grade of cancer at the time of diagnosis and the patient’s overall health. In general, the recurrence rate is higher for men with more advanced cancer at the time of diagnosis.
According to the American Cancer Society, about 30% of men with pro-state cancer that has not spread beyond the prostate will have a recurrence within 10 years of treatment, while the rate is higher for men with more advanced cancer. It is important to note that every patient is different and your specific chance of recurrence can only be determined by consulting with your physician.
Is prostate cancer curable after surgery?
Pro-state cancer can be curable after surgery, particularly if the cancer is caught in its early stages and has not spread beyond the prostate gland. The surgical procedure used to treat pro-state cancer is called a radical prostatectomy, which involves removing the entire prostate gland along with some surrounding tissue.
If all of the cancerous tissue is successfully removed and no cancer cells are found in the surrounding tissue during the pathology examination, the patient is considered to be cancer-free. However, even when all the cancerous tissue is removed, there is still a chance that some cancer cells may remain undetected and may grow and spread in the future.
Rates of prostate cancer recurrence after surgery are higher for men with higher-grade and higher-stage cancer at the time of diagnosis and for those who have positive surgical margins (cancer found in the tissue surrounding the prostate). That’s why after surgery, most men will have follow-up treatments such as radiation therapy, hormone therapy, or monitoring PSA levels to reduce the chance of recurrence.
It’s important to note that every patient is different, and the likelihood of a cure can only be determined by consulting with a specialist and considering different factors such as age, overall health, and the stage and grade of cancer at the time of diagnosis.