PSA creeping up

Hello Rob (Fzh2p0 (9025e80f5427400cab79cbed90557eb7)) 

Thanks for your post - although the rises are small, they are rises. I agree with your team, they aren't big at the moment but the trend is up. After surgery what did your team say at the histology meeting?

i think your team may want you to stay on 3 monthly tests whilst your PSA gets up to around the 2 mark when a PSMA-PET scan will be able to confirm where any cancer cells are lurking, then stick you on Hormone Therapy for 3 months and then zap them with Radiotherapy.  

It's only my personal view - but they should be able to sort you out. Do let us know how you get on.

Best wishes - Brian.

Hi F and welcome

Yes, it is a worry after surgery if PSA starts creeping up although  a very small increase,

See what they say next week, it could be worth considering Salvage RT which is sometimes  required after surgery, U did  mention that your Gleeson was fairy high .

Possibly the suggestion , another couple of PSA tests then Salvage  Rt if still going up, but obviously they will know what to do.

Best wishes

Steve

Hi Rob

Over the last few months I have been being sick and hiccuping intermittently and over the last 12 months plus my psa has risen all be it low it has risen.

Oncology nurse told me that was my stomach on a recent phone appointment and to see my GP

I was seen not by a doctor but by a fantastic senior nurse, she referred me to a gastroenterologist and to fast track me to be seen in two weeks re possible stomach cancer.

After an endoscopy which was clear he said to be certain he wanted to do a CT scan and they found incidental findings on my spine a further bone scan was negative. 

However on a routine appointment with my Urologist I said that my psa had risen each time.

Last year it was 0.01 as it had been since I finished my  chemo and radiotherapy in 2021 and two years of hormone therapy.

in February it went to 0.04 and on another blood test 0.07 more recently it jumped to 0.23 and 35 days later 0.28

The urologist said that she wanted to discuss it at MDT who have said for it to be taken again (22/12/25) and an appointment with the urologist on 30/12/25

if there is another rise MDT have a plan for me and also a scan and I am now on 3 monthly psa checks.

When I went into the last meeting I was almost sent away but kept questioning all be it on the low scale the jumps in my psa that is when she said she would take it to MDT.

I hope all this makes sense keep pushing for answers like I did ...

Wishing the very best of luck

Spud

”you don’t know how Strong you are,

 until being Strong is your only choice”

Bob Marley 

Me again.

I was referred to Peterborough to discuss possible salvage RT as the trend was there. Fifth PSA test early Jan was still 0.08. Oncologist said as they have no clue where the cells are lurking (all margins and removed lymph node were clear) they would need to do full prostate bed radiation, preferably including lymph nodes too. But… there still would be no guarantee as they would be going in blind. So all the side effects with no definite result. Even though PSA was low, it was decided to do a skull to mid-thigh PSMA PET scan just in case.

Had that early last week and consultant visit a couple of days later (NHS is doing an amazing job!). Scan came back clear - which is at least good that there isn’t anything untoward anywhere else. So had another blood test last week to check again. That came back 0.10 which scared the absolute wotsit out of me.

Next consultation is this Friday to book in RT and ADT as soon as possible. Even though they are still going in blind, they/we don’t want to wait any longer. With Gleason 5+4 they want to blast it asap to be on the safe side.

Feeling quite down as 11 Months ago was super positive that surgery had got the bugger.

Having positive moments and also some scared , dark moments. Trying to keep upbeat, but any good vibes folks could send my way would be gratefully received.

Rob

Hello Rob

Not what you want after surgery and it all went so well.

Like you I am a member of the Gleason 9 (5+4) club and after 3 years HT/RT I had 9 months off treatment and my PSA shot back up and yes like you the little bug*ers won't show themselves on a scan and it's termed a biochemical recurrence.

It happens to between 20 and 40% of men who have treatment for Prostate Cancer so it's not an exclusive club. 

The good news is like me you have a brilliant team who have jumped on it and are looking after you. 

Hormone therapy does have side effects and fatigue is the hard one - it gets us all, the other side effects appear to be selective - you don't get some but get others. Radiotherapy is easy - just like being on a sunbed - the hard bit is finding a space in the hospital car park!

Keep positive and you will be fine - lots of us here for any advice you need - keep us updated with your progress.

Best wishes - Brian.

Rob (Fzh2p0 ) sorry your PSA is rising but is still very low.  It is only in recent years that PSA has been measured in 2 or 3 decimal places, prior to that all your tests would have come back clear.  At least you are aware that there is an issue.  Good and bad, that the PSMA PET found nothing, good that no spread identified but obviously something lurking.  Your team are going to hit the most likely area for anything to be lurking and my bet is this will sort it out.  
RT is completely painless and hopefully you are back on a curative path.  Please ask any questions and we will do our best.

Here I am back on the forum, when I thought (hoped) surgery would have cracked it.

But I'm like many who have posted here before.

Surgery in 2022 OK, although the surgeon warned about very, very close cancer at the margin. But recovery was good and no continence issues. Psa negligible after surgery.

All well until spa started rising and in August last year reached 0.2. 

PSMA PET and MRI scans couldn't locate the cancer and I have since done 2 more psa tests, all coming out at 0.2. So spa is not rising, at the moment.

I'm seeing oncologist tomorrow, and fear he will say go for RT of the prostate bed, surrounding areas etc. It's the possible side effects that worry me.

I have no incontinence issues and don't want them.

As my psa is stable, should I wait or do I go for RT and hope for the best.