Dr. Chang on Adjuvant Versus Salvage Radiation in High-Risk Prostate Cancer

Sam S. Chang, MD, MBA, professor, Department of Urology, Patricia and Rodes Hart Endowed Chair of Urologic Surgery, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, discusses adjuvant versus salvage radiation in patients with nonmetastatic high-risk prostate cancer.

Some data suggest that early salvage therapy is superior to late salvage therapy, says Chang. Moreover, it is understood that late salvage therapy is worse than adjuvant therapy. Both intervention strategies are associated with treatment-related complications, says Chang.

Performing upfront genetic testing may shed light on a patient’s recurrence risk. In addition to understanding a patient’s genetic profile, it’ll be important to determine whether adjuvant therapy is better than salvage therapy and when to initiate salvage therapy, explains Chang.

Ultimately, combining surgery, radiation therapy, and systemic therapy may be the optimal strategy for these patients, concludes Chang.