Recurrence

A recurrence is the reappearance of tumour after a curative (with intent to cure) therapy has already been administered. Usually a recurrence is detected after surgery or radiation therapy by a rise in the PSA value.

There are two causes for recurrence of prostate cancer:

Local recurrence: After the prostate gland has been removed surgically or exposed to radiation live tumour cells remain locally in the area near the prostate gland.

Metastases: Even before surgery or radiation treatment, tumour cells have spread in the body through the bloodstream or lymph tract (metastases). The tumour cells remaining in the body can reproduce and do harm.