PSA level increase during chemo - cause for concern?

Hi Skye_saturn and welcome to the forum, Your PSA rise is perfectly normal. it' called a PSA blip, So long as it is trending downwards then there is nothing to worry about, we all start off knowing nothing about cancer and we learn by asking questions, so please if in doubt ask away, you are among friends here and we all want to help you on your journey, take care,

Eddie

Hi Skye.

I am so pleased that dad is tolerating chemo, that is a good sign.

I have attached an article which indicates that it is a well known response that can last anywhere between 1 and 8 weeks, and also that the rise could be quite significant.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18356135/

Please come back with any questions, that was a good one and something we all learn from.

Hello skye_saturn  Thanks for the post. You are quite correct to ask questions and yes during Chemotherapy there often is a "PSA Bounce" where the PSA increases. this is normal. I know you have posted before but can I ask if dad is having radiotherapy at a later date?

It may be a good idea so that us "old timers" with a bad memory don't have to ask you the same questions. Can I ask you to update dad's profile with his diagnosis and journey to date. To do this on your home page click on the chair in the top right, then "profile" and then "edit". You don't have to write too much (you can read my profile by clicking on the icon of the beach).

Best wishes - Brian.

Hi Eddie. Thank you so much for your kind and reassuring message. I'm relieved to hear it is a normal thing, not something to be concerned about right now and I have passed this information onto my dad. Thank you and take care, Skye x

Hi AlwaysHope, thank you very much for your message and the journal article. I've quickly found that you're always learning things on this journey! Very reassuring to know that this can be quite normal during chemo. :-) 

Hi Brian, thank you for your message and putting my mind at ease. My dad's had initial radiotherapy on his spine (for MSCC) and after chemotherapy I *think* he will be receiving consolidative radiotherapy on his prostate....we are due to have a face-to-face appointment with his consultant in 3 weeks time so I am hoping that the next steps will be confirmed then. 

No problem at all, I was meaning to get around to it. I have just updated my profile with my dad's details. No info on Gleason score unfortunately as he's not had a biopsy - but I don't think he minds that!

Take care, Skye x 

My pleasure, take care,

Eddie

Hello Skye

Thanks for the message and updating the profile - it just stops us asking the same questions over and over again!

Thank you for the information - yes he's lucky to have avoided the old biopsy - it's not great.  If you will kindly keep us posted as to dad's progress that would be great and update his profile as his journey continues.

As he's on hormone therapy - ensure he's been prescribed Calcium and vitamin D tablets as the HT can be bone thinning.

Anything else, just ask - no question is too trivial.

Best wishes  - Brian.

Hello. I was getting really hung up on husband's PSA results during his chemo and would be shaking at the appointment until I knew if it had gone down which thankfully it always had. The oncologist told me to stop it as PSA can go up and down but it is trends they look for.