Type of study | No. of studies | Recommendation | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Frequency of testing | Threshold (radical prostatectomy) | Threshold (radical radiotherapy) | Variability | Uncertainty in natural history of PSA | ||
ASTRO consensus statements | 3 | x | x | |||
Best practice statement | 1 | x | ||||
Reviews | 10 | x | x | x | x | x |
Primary studies | 34 | x | x | x | x | |
Acceptability of follow-up | 3 | x | ||||
Optimal frequency of follow-up | 1 | x | ||||
Natural history of PSA following treatment | 15 | x | x | x | x | |
Natural history of PSA without treatment | 1 | x | ||||
Salvage radical radiotherapy outcomes | 4 | x | ||||
Testing biochemical failure definitions | 8 | x | x | x | ||
Measurement variability | 2 | x | ||||
No. of guidelines citing evidence | 4 | 6 | 7 | 2 | 3 |
Note: ASTRO = American Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology, PSA = prostate-specific antigen.