Rising PSA during/immediately after completion of docetaxel

Hello Zoey88 .

I am sorry to hear that your dad's PSA is up after all the treatment he had in 2024. We had a similar situation in 2023 where the chemotherapy was not fully effective. The first thing we needed to find out was where the cancer was being particularly stubborn and hubby was given a PSMA PET scan which was more sensitive at locating micromets along with other sites of cancer. This then gave a target for additional radiotherapy which he had in April 2024 and he is about to have blood tests and scans to check on how things are going. As your dad has had palliative radiotherapy to the prostate and seminal vesicles then it should still be possible to have more radiotherapy in that area if necessary, also radiotherapy for oligometastases (low numbers) is often effective for bone and lymph node mets. One thing we have learnt is that different types of prostate cancer respond to different treatments - my husband's is particularly radiosensitive but not so sensitive to chemotherapy. There are further treatments available depending on where the cancer is lurking such as Radium 223 if it is in the bones but this is normally reserved for multiple sites. Initially they might see what happens if your dad stops taking the Darolutamide as some men show an androgen withdrawal syndrome when the PSA drops or stabilises. We found it scary when my husband was told to stop taking Enzalutamide (similar to Darolutamide) as we thought they were taking away a crutch but it was just one step in the treatment sequence that we have been on for the past 4.5 years.

This rollercoaster can be difficult for the whole family to deal with so make sure you get any support you need but keep your dad positive and life as normal as possible. Let us know how he gets on.

Hi Zoey88 , sorry to hear that after all that treatment your dad’s PSA is on the rise.  We are all different in the way we respond to treatments.  The PSMA PET scan will show exactly where the rogue cells are and then his team can put together a plan of attack.  Meanwhile, try and live normally and encourage him to keep fit as this helps being able to get through whatever is planned next.  The biggest and hardest part is to keep positive on the cancer rollercoaster, but a good mental attitude will go a long way.  Do let us know how you get on, and obviously ask any questions.  Best wishes, David

Thank you so much for your replies Alwayshope  it’s reassuring to hear of similar experiences and also of what treatment options your husband has experienced. I will do as suggested and try and encourage some positivity! Best of luck to you and your husband regarding the upcoming scan and blood tests!

 David2017  thank you for the advice and the well wishes it’s much appreciated I agree such a rollercoaster, you just seem to accept the new norm and then something else comes round the corner. Will do my best to keep my dad positive. Thank you.