Prostate Cancer PSA rise

Dear ValBe85458 

 Thanks for getting in touch on our Online Community, I’m Sue one of the cancer information nurses on the Macmillan Support Line.  We’re glad you have reached out for support and hope you are finding this a safe and supportive space.

This sounds like an emotionally difficult time for you and your wife and it’s natural that you may be feeling concerned about your PSA level rising and wondering if this is a bad sign. For many people who have finished cancer treatment it’s normal to worry about it returning.

As you’ll understand the PSA blood test is used as part of a follow up after prostate cancer treatment and can help to show if there are potentially any changes.  As your oncologist has said once androgen deprivation therapy (ADT), also known as hormone therapy, is finished, this can sometimes cause an increase because of the return of testosterone in the body. How long this takes can vary dependant on different factors, including older age and the length of time ADT is prescribed.

Although a continuous rise in the PSA level can be a first sign that a cancer has come back it can also depend on what type of prostate cancer treatment someone has had, as to pattern of change. If a PSA is rising it’s normal for this to be monitored more frequently, as this can then help identify whether or not the PSA levels are increasing quickly or remain stable. Over a period of time if the levels continue to rise the oncologist may arrange for further tests to establish the cause.

You’ve mentioned having a Gleason score 9, the Gleason score helps to show whether or not prostate cancer cells are likely to grow quickly or not, this information also helps guide the oncologist when assessing someone as part of their follow up.

Even though PSA blood tests are carried out it’s also important between any follow up appointments to report any new symptoms or concerns to the hospital team so they can be assessed, there may be lots of reasons for these, including side effects of treatment, but it’s always best to get things checked out.

I hope this information is helpful. If you have any further questions, please get in touch by email, webchat or phone. The Macmillan Support Line offers practical, clinical, financial, and emotional support. You can call us free from landlines and from most mobile phone networks* on 0808 808 00 00, 7 days a week, 8am – 8pm.

Sending best wishes

Sue – Macmillan Cancer Information Nurse Specialist 

You can also speak with the Macmillan Support Line team of experts. Phone free on 0808 808 0000 (7 days a week, 8am-8pm) or send us an email. 

Ref/ SMG/GH