Rise in PSA

Hi M

I don't remember having any PSA testing during Radiotherapy, in fact the first one was 6 months after RT finished.

I can't imagine testing during treatment means a lot but could be wrong, perhaps something new.

Steve

Thanks for your reply Grundo, yes he gets his Psa checked every month by the apalutamide nurse. I think it’s to check on how they are working. Still all new to me so I go along with everything they chuck at us. Best wishes,

Majestic.

Ok, so I'm guessing  that more to do with the HT to check it's doing its job especially as u say he has it done monthly.

All the best

Steve

Hello Majestic 

A PSA test isn't normal in the middle of RT - in fact - it's normal to leave it until 3 months after RT has been completed to enable things to settle down.

Personal opinion - ignore it and I hope the RT is going well.

Best wishes - Brian.

Thankyou Millibob for your advice, yes apart from backache and a few more visits to the loo, it all seems to be going ok. I suppose still a lot of side effects to come but preparing for every event.Received a wonderful Toilet card on Monday so I think we are being looked after.. Thank you. Best wishes,

Majestic

Hi Majestic. Things are done differently in Greece so we do have a PSA test part way through both radiotherapy and chemotherapy and on both occasions my husband saw an increase part way through treatment. The way it was described to us was that it is the treatment which makes the cancer cells break open as they die releasing the protein into the blood stream which means more is picked up by the antigen test. This should be a temporary increase and you should soon see a reduction beyond your base value at the start of radiotherapy. The rate of drop once you have completed radiotherapy will inform the experts on your likelihood of recurrence in the future, plus the level to which it drops at its nadir (which tends to be at 18 months but could be longer).

Thankyou Alwayshope, this is great information, I have heard that Cells do go a bit bonkers during the zapping. I think because of the apalutamide, the nurse is doing monthly PSA tests and it’s fell in the middle of the RT sessions unfortunately. Although I don’t mind one bit him having these tests as it’s keeping an eye on things.  I’m supposing they will not be done so often if the apalutamide is doing its job. Fingers crossed. Thankyou and Best wishes,

Majestic