The prostate bed is a structure in the male pelvis situated just beneath the bladder where theprostate glandrests. The term is most often used in the context of a surgical procedure known as aradical prostatectomyin which the prostate gland is removed in men diagnosed with prostate cancer.
Due to its adjacent position, the prostate bed is especially vulnerable to the spread of cancer. Because of this, the prostate bed (also known as the prostatic fossa) is often the focus of secondary cancer treatment.
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When a Radical Prostatectomy Is Indicated
In a radical prostatectomy, the prostate gland can be accessed in a number of different ways:
The choice of surgery depends largely on thetreatment goals. A retropubic prostatectomy is more commonly used if healthcare providers believe that the cancer has spread to the lymph nodes. A laparoscopic prostatectomy is far less invasive but required a skilled surgeon (and may not be offered in all clinics).
Of the three, the perineal prostatectomy is less commonly used because it is more likely to cause nerve damage resulting in erection problems.
Cancer Treatment
The prostate bed is a key area of focus in men undergoing a prostatectomy. It is where cancerous cells are most often found after the gland has been removed. It is also the site wherecancer commonly recursin persons previously treated for a malignancy.
For these reasons, adjuvant (secondary) radiation therapy may be used to ensure that all cancer cells have been eradicated. Meanwhile, any suggestion of recurrence will typically include an investigation of the prostate bed and surrounding tissues.
Adjuvant Radiation Therapy
After a radical prostatectomy has been performed, the healthcare provider will want to regularly monitor your condition with a blood test called a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) assay. The PSA is used to screen for prostate cancer and may also be used to detect inflammation of the prostate gland. After the gland has been removed, the PSA should drop to an undetectable level within a month or so.
However, if the PSA begins to rise, your practitioner may suggest a procedure calledexternal beam radiation therapy. This delivers targeted radiation directly to the prostate bed and surrounding tissue. It is sometimes performed in conjunction withhormone therapyto improve cure rates.
Adjuvant radiation therapy may be also be recommended in men considered to be at higher risk of recurrence. The procedure is performed soon after the prostatectomy to better ensure all traces of cancer are killed. As many as 60% of men undergoing a radical prostatectomy are likely to have a recurrence.
For men who experience a recurrence in the area of the prostate bed, but with nometastasis, salvage radiation therapy may be prescribed. The goal ofsalvage therapyis to control the cancer and to prevent it from metastasizing beyond the immediate area. It is not appropriate for metastatic disease.
Side effects from radiation therapy can vary based on how localized or extensively distributed the cancer is. Be sure to discuss with your healthcare provider what you can reasonably expect before deciding on a course of radiation therapy.
SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Barkati M, Simard D, Taussky D, et al. Magnetic resonance imaging for prostate bed radiotherapy planning: An inter- and intra-observer variability study.Journal of Medical Imaging and Radiation Oncology. 2015; Epub ahead of print).Herrera F, Berthold D. Radiation Therapy after Radical Prostatectomy: Implications for Clinicians.Frontiers in Oncology.2016; 6:117.
Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Barkati M, Simard D, Taussky D, et al. Magnetic resonance imaging for prostate bed radiotherapy planning: An inter- and intra-observer variability study.Journal of Medical Imaging and Radiation Oncology. 2015; Epub ahead of print).Herrera F, Berthold D. Radiation Therapy after Radical Prostatectomy: Implications for Clinicians.Frontiers in Oncology.2016; 6:117.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Barkati M, Simard D, Taussky D, et al. Magnetic resonance imaging for prostate bed radiotherapy planning: An inter- and intra-observer variability study.Journal of Medical Imaging and Radiation Oncology. 2015; Epub ahead of print).Herrera F, Berthold D. Radiation Therapy after Radical Prostatectomy: Implications for Clinicians.Frontiers in Oncology.2016; 6:117.
Barkati M, Simard D, Taussky D, et al. Magnetic resonance imaging for prostate bed radiotherapy planning: An inter- and intra-observer variability study.Journal of Medical Imaging and Radiation Oncology. 2015; Epub ahead of print).
Herrera F, Berthold D. Radiation Therapy after Radical Prostatectomy: Implications for Clinicians.Frontiers in Oncology.2016; 6:117.
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