Post prostatectomy PSA

Hi Loobjo

I have read before that having COVID can increase PSA although without a prostate gland not sure about the current reading in relation to that.

The next reading will be crucial because obviously it should be less.

Remember it is more difficult if tumour near to the gland edge  and possibly salvage Radiotherapy could be a future option if the reading doesn't go down.

Anyway fingers crossed it will go down.

Best wishes 

Steve 

Hello Loobjo 

In answer to your questions.

* A PSA test whilst testing positive for COVID can give a false PSA reading, I understand it can double or triple the actual PSA score. The actual baseline PSA score can remain elevated for a few months after you have recovered from the COVID infection.

* When a prostate gland is removed the gland and any tissue is sent to the laboratory for examination. Your husbands team will be informed of the histology and what you are looking for are "clear margins". After the operation his Gleason Score was the same with a "small" (less than 5% of Gleason Pattern 5). The question is were there "clear margins", especially as the cancer was close to the edge of the gland.

* You say the first blood test was 22 October 2026 after surgery - what date was the surgery?

* As an aside you said he went for "none nerve sparing surgery" - was he advised of the full implications and after effects before the operation?

I hope the above helps.

Feel free to ask any further questions and I will try and find answers for you.

Best wishes - Brian.

Hi Loobjo - flu or COVID causes inflammation throughout the body and this can release extra PSA into the bloodstream.  However, I think you should both be realistic and be thinking in terms of second level treatment via pelvic radiotherapy (plus some hormone therapy).  Don’t be scared - the histology on diagnosis and pathology post op was only 3 plus 4, so the radiotherapy should be viewed as a “mopping up” treatment.  AW

Thank you . We read exactly the same . Not pinning our hopes on it and thinking it will be radiotherapy . 

We read the same , we both got covid , husband first and it was a really bad one, worse then we’ve had before .

He has another blood test in 8 weeks time  . He had to ring to get this one . He had his operation 2nd July this year , we were told 3 months after for blood test but no letter arrived so we had to go chasing  them for an appointment, so that we could book a blood test which really shouldn’t be the way .its 4 months now since operation

He had positive margins.

 We were told operation would be none nerve sparing so fully aware of what would happen and didn’t think it would bother us we were just concerned about getting rid of the cancer  but now  we just feel a bit lost , no one has helped us with that side of things just been left to cope with it , we both just feels sad when you’ve been so close to someone for years 

Thank you do you know how better you have made me feel . We are both thinking it will be radiotherapy , I like the phrase mopping up treatment , so do we see it as there’s a little bit left from surgery that needs clearing up nothing to worry about ? 

This seems to be a regular event post surgery, and there is a long trodden path for people to follow.

The results are good, generally. It is not possible to say “nothing to worry about” because in all walks of life we can find something to concern us.

None of us can “not worry” but we can say, here, that the treatment results are good, and so is the prognosis.

Hi Loobjo yes, exactly that. The surgeon told you about the positive margins, which means the pathology lab can see where his cut line goes through some cancer (think of it as a wart like structure) and therefore some of it has been left behind in the prostate bed. Histology is king. His is Gleason 3-4, so the cancer is relatively slow growing (but managed to get outside the gland, and has been cut through. Don’t worry about leakage now it has been cut / as I have said, think of it as a wart). So, now you need to push for next steps (get him on hormone therapy to stop growth if necessary, which weakens the cancer prior to radiotherapy) - this also takes any urgency out of his secondary treatment.  He will be fine. Stay with us and let us know how you get on.  AW

Hello Loobjpo, your message really struck a chord with me. My husband had his operation last year, and we’ve found the changes to our intimate life very hard too. It’s such a huge change overnight, especially when you’ve been close for so many years. Knowing beforehand and actually living with it are two very different things. You can be grateful the cancer has been treated and still feel deeply sad about what’s changed. We’re still finding our way too, but we’re trying to keep that closeness going, even if it’s just cuddling, kissing or holding each other, without any pressure for it to lead anywhere. Those little moments still matter. You’re not alone in how you feel, and you don’t have to be strong all the time. Sending you both a big hug xx

Hello Loobjo 

Well Alpine Wanderer has said just what I was going to say about the treatment so that's sorted. You may just have to keep pushing your team as they appear to be a little "off the ball" with his treatment.

I appreciate you were told about "none nerve sparing" but once you realise the full consequences there's no going back. I do feel that there should be more information on this side effect of the operation before you sign up to it.

Do you have a Maggie's at your hospital. This is a cancer charity where you can just drop in and receive help and advice moving forward. There's also our SupportLline on 0808 808 00 00 (8am to 8pm 7 days a week) they can help.

You may find some help by reading through the posts on this thread:

Sex and Cancer - Let's Talk.

Do let us know hoe you get on.

Best wishes - Brian.