Tracking tumor evolution via the prostate marker PSA: An individual post-operative study

TL;DR

This study monitors prostate-specific antigen levels post-surgery to understand tumor growth patterns, revealing a transition from rapid to slower growth, which can inform optimal timing for additional treatments.

Contribution

It introduces a method to analyze PSA dynamics post-prostatectomy to identify tumor growth phases, aiding personalized treatment planning.

Findings

Initial rapid tumor growth transitions to slower power-law growth within two years.

PSA level trends can indicate tumor progression stages.

Monitoring PSA can optimize timing for subsequent therapies.

Abstract

The progress of the prostate-specific antigen after radical prostatectomy is observed for a patient in order to extract information on the growth mode of the tumor cells. An initial fast-growth mode goes over to a slower power-law regime within two years of surgery. We argue that such studies may help determine the appropriate time window for subsequent therapies in order to increase the life expectancy of the patient.