Advice please

Hi Poppie 

Something we all dread , PSA starting to increase after treatment.

However there are many other treatments available so all is not lost.

The good thing about having surgery is that he can still have Radiotherapy which could well sort it.

How many PSA Tests has he had since increase, is it just a steady upward trend.

Best wishes

Steve 

Hi Steve,

Thank you for your response. Originally his PSA post surgery was 0.03. 3 months ago it rose to 0.04 which triggered consultant to book another for November which is 0.09. He has to wait until February for the next one but is obviously wants to know what the possibilities are of it spreading in that time.

Many thanks.

I would think minimal,  it's only crawling up.

Think the issue with it so low , will anything show on a scan.

But I think time is on your side, I'm sure that if it has returned a dose of RT will sort it 

Good luck 

Steve 

Hello Poppi.

I am in a similar situation. My PSA post RP (2018) was .003. It increased slowly at first but then accelerated and is currently 1. I have had 3 PSMA PET scans ( at 0.3,0.5 and then 1), all to no avail. My urologist  does not favour salvage radiotherapy but after my last unsuccessful scan has referred me to an oncologist who has discussed having a two year course of hormone treatment coupled with 6 weeks radiotherapy after 3 months. I am not sure what to do. Despite reading as much as I can on the subject there are no hard and fast rules and no two cases are the same.

I would suggest looking into salvage radiotherapy. From my reading it seems that in some countries it is performed as a matter of course if PSA is rising. I am undecided how to proceed. 

I understand the shock and the worry. The uncertainty of it all is what I am finding the hardest.

That said please remain positive. With our PSA levels being so low our cancer should be detected and treated at a relatively early stage.

Whilst I understand the concern, and I would feel the same, you need to be aware that the post surgery PSA will fluctuate, and whilst 0.09 is not undetectable, neither is it high. The advice is right - no further investigation is really needed unless it reaches 0.2.

Try not to worry just yet.

HH

Hi B 

Difficult one I must admit and of course we all dread this rising PSA after treatment, I had RT.

With your PSA still low it's just not enough to show anything on the scans which suppose is good in a way.

Salvage RT ok but where exactly do u aim for or blanket coverage perhaps.

Hormone therapy is ok but just masks it for 2 years.

If it was me , and only my opinion, I think I would leave it a bit longer to see if anything shows up later but others might not agree.

Good luck and keep in touch 

Best wishes

Steve