Husband has just been told he has biochemical reoccurrence

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Good morning, 

Would love to hear from anyone who has a biochemical reoccurrence after a radical prostatectomy, my husband is 47, the op was done in July 2019 and felt to be successful, but unfortunately my husbands recent PSA checks showed a level of 0.2, he had it re-checked and the level came back the same, we are now waiting for a PET scan. 

It’s a little unclear to me how the cancer cells escaped, as they thought the cancer was contained within the prostate on removal and he had clear surgical margins. 

His Gleason score was 3+4 (7) last time.

Has anyone been in a similar situation? 

The consultant thinks the PET scan will have a 20% chance of detecting where the cancer is and if it doesn’t detect it, we wait and get rechecked again.

Thanks for any info x

  • FormerMember
    FormerMember

    Hi ,I had similar experience

    A pet PSMA is unlikely to show any distant metastasis as its about a 30 per cent chance of seeing anything  until you reach PSA of 0.5.

    Salvage RT would be my suggestion with 70 Gray spread over 8 weeks.

    The cancer has not necessarily escaped at 0,20 PSA 

    How long before the level was reached and what was the immediate post OP PSA?

    Did you do ultrasensitive test?

    How long till 0.20 was reached?

    at 0.20 the only real possible cure is salvage radiation   (read this book PROSTATE CANCER RETURNS: How to Fight to Save Your Life When You Have a Biochemical Recurrence After a Radical Prostatectomy by Ronald Munson)

    The pelvic bed where prostate used to be should be given RT as the cancer cells may still be local.

    there is also a possibility that some prostate cells are still active.

    But at 0.20 one needs to act

    all the best

    Good luck

    Roy

  • Hi Ang1404, have a read at my profile. He should now have MRI and PET scans to try and target salvage radiotherapy which will likely be spread to cover the prostate bed as well. 
    It’s a scary time, try to get as much information as you can. Wishing you both all best wishes,

    Ido4

  • Hi . Sounds identical to me. Hopefully the scan will show in the bed then radiotherapy could still cure. Check my profile