Table 1 Factors that suggest biochemical recurrence (BCR) represents local vs distant disease after primary treatment with surgery or radiotherapy

FACTOR LOCAL RECURRENCE DISTANT RECURRENCE

Initial pathology Gleason score < 7 Gleason score ≥ 7
Positive surgical margin Extra-prostatic involvement
No nodal involvement Nodal involvement
Time to BCR after treatment > 1–2 y < 1 y
Pretreatment PSA level < 10 ng/mL > 10 ng/mL
PSADT > 12 mo < 6–12 mo

PSA—prostate-specific antigen, PSADT— prostate-specific antigen doubling time.