Is this normal

Liz (johnam ), I can’t recall if the RT has finished yet, but a 0.1 reading sounds pretty good to me. I am sure others will be along to explain exactly what happens with the HT after RT.  Personally I wouldn’t be concerned at a single very small increase.  Hope this helps.  David

Hi J

If I remember correctly he had surgery and has had RT and still with the HT.

I think that figure is ok as long as no upward trend

But can vary during HT slightly, big test is when HT stops, obviously looking for a stable PSA at that point. All looks ok at present 

Best wishes 

Steve 

Hi David , his RT finishes on Tuesday . Thank you xx

Hi Steve ,

no surgery . HT & palliative RT finishes his 6 th RT on Tuesday .  He will be on HT until it stops working . We see the Oncologist on Thursday so will see what he says . 

Thank you Steve for answering x

Hi Liz.

The radiotherapy can make the PSA bounce around as the cells break open when they die. Also occasionally different labs could be used which might record to a different scale or the < sign might have been missed off.

I bet you can't wait for Tuesday.

Hi Liz (johnam) 

For what it's worth I was told it was a waste of space to do a PSA test during RT as the actual RT messes with the figures. My RT team said at least 6 weeks after RT and even then it's not always right because of the lingering RT.

Crack on - one more to go and then it's time to grill the oncologist.

Best wishes - Brian.

Hi  Brian . We sure will grill him as we need answers to our long list of questions . 
Many thanks for your support .

best wishes 

Liz & OH xx

We also have the hospital today to attend the trauma clinic to see what OH has done to his leg . 
tomorrow last of his 6 sessions of RT . He has been doing well albeit a few little blips.

then Thursday we see the oncologist . 
so a busy week and just hope we get some reasonably good vibes back . 
thank you for the update it sure gives me reassurance with his PSA.

hope you and OH had a good New Year .

best wishes 

Liz & OH xxx

Well I finished RT Christmas eve psa on Wednesday, so this could be all over the place ?

Speaking with oncologist next week

Hello Mal CG 

My understanding of PSA tests is as follows: (as told to me by my Macmillan Nurse)

* We don't do your PSA for about 6 weeks after RT as the treatment can affect the results.

* Your nadir or lowest PSA reading will be 18 months after the end of RT.

* In the 3 years after RT your PSA can rise slightly and this is known as "PSA bounce".

* Cancer is likely to have returned if your PSA rises 2 whole points above your nadir reading, or there is an increase in 3 consecutive readings.

I also asked at fraction 16 how they knew that RT was working and the reply was:

"when you are on the sunbed the first rotation of the machine is a targeting CT scan and although the image isn't great we can see your Prostate is a mush - so we are targeting correctly".

I also understand that for 12/18 months you immune system is weakened.

I hope this helps - that's my personal understanding.

Best wishes - Brian.