Docetaxel Chemo and PSA

Hi Gin, my highest PSA count was only 71 in October 2018, I then had 6 sessions of Docetaxel and then a Zoladex hormone injection every 3 months. My lowest PSA count then was 3.5, it has risen slowly to 7 today. My oncologist has been quite happy previously but I am now starting to get a bit concerned as to what can be done to bring it down again and as you say, they won't say what that is until you get there!

So in answer to your question "is it a good result", I would say yes.

I hope this helps

Keith

Hi Gin

It is good, and it will or should drop further, the main thing is where it has spread to, usually pelvis, ribs and spine, these are most common. Has he had any scans yet ? Not certain how things work in France, was he offered any radiotherapy ? This helps shrink the prostate also all thre combined help reduce PSA further. Firmagon is like most of the hormone treatments there not much different, there a testosterone inhibitor. I’m on prostap for life, not certain if you pay for treatment radiotherapy can be expensive, but I would definitely ask the question.

Stay safe

Joe

Sadly, PSA is not a reliable enough measure for there to be any rules. PSA can be affected by so many things, that the actual number doesn't say an awful lot.

A rise or fall can tell you, approximately, that things are not going well, or if a treatment is working.

The rate of rise or fall is more reliable; a rapid fall on a new treatment is almost certainly good news.

His doctors can look at the latest test in the context of all the previous ones, and knowing what interventions he's had - but even then, they're having to make a judgement on an unreliable test.

Sorry, but that's the way it is.

As for next steps, at almost every level there are options, but it depends on how well he is, and how well he responded to the previous treatment. They aren't keeping you in the dark - they just haven't decided yet!