I am having a devastating experience following prostatectomy 3 months ago for Gleason 8 PCa. My first PSA test, repeated twice shows a PSA around 4ng. I know that a level >0.1 ng is biochemical failure. I have been sent for PSMA PET, a molecular imaging scan. A level of 4ng is what clinicians might see 5 years out with rising PSA and metastatic disease. To have it now strongly suggests not future but present metastases as far as I can evaluate as a non medical person. And hence the prospect of only a few years to live. Has anyone else experience of PSA persistence of this type or seen it clinically. What was the prognosis?
Hi PatBe
Sorry to hear about the PSA level, but it sounds as though your team are following up with further tests. Try not to worry too much as you can still have hormone treatment and salvage radiotherapy.
Hi PB
Sorry to hear of your situation but your comments of only a few years to live is probably not correct.
There are still plenty of different treatments out there , hopefully you will be stating on hormone therapy follwed by Radiotherapy soon.
Must have been a few rogue cells left behind during surgery but no reason to presume that it has metasised.
What was the Psa just before surgery?
Best wishes
Steve
That’s a hard one to deal with. The PSMA PET scan will hopefully clear up what’s going on.
It is the most sensitive PET scan for prostate cancer. I had an F18 choline PET scan at the end of 2016, nowhere near as sensitive but it still picked up things.
Are you in the UK? If so I would recommend having a chat at a Maggie’s centre if there are any near you.
They were very helpful at putting things into perspective for me and giving me coping techniques.
We’re all here to help. When is your scan scheduled?
Ido4
Hi Ido4 thanks very much for your helpful words. I am not based in the UK so cannot use one of those centres. My scan is on 2 April. One major concern I have is the effect on my work. I was onsick leave for 6 weeks only recently.
Did you have radiotherapy and were you able to continue working through it? Also has anyone else worked during radiotherapy?
Thanks Steve. Yes it is mysterious that I showed negative surgical margins and no local lymph node involvement - unless of course it is located in my bones. Whether you can have metastases without any local spread is something I have not been able to find any information on.
Whatever cancer throws your way, we’re right there with you.
We’re here to provide physical, financial and emotional support.
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