Hello everyone my name is Tony...

Hi Tony, good to read that your journey has found a positive path , I had the choice of radiotherapy and hormone treatment but elected for surgery hoping for a quick fix on the Cancer. Not sure yet if all is well but trying to stay positive and find the strength to keep enjoying life my life and be thankful for each day ahead. Still awaiting final test results from the removed prostate but staying positive with hope. 

Hi Tony, good to hear from you. Today is my last session of 20 Radiotherapy and I have another 18 months of Prostap. Feeling great, only had side effect on first Radiotherapy which I believe is unusual but cleared in a day, and no more since. My PSA has gone from 12.6 to 0.2 so far. My cancer was T3A NO, what does the NO mean ? What usually happens from now, I heard they may not want to see me for 8 months ?

Best regards, Dougie.

No means NO nodal invasion which is superb news and there is an excellent chance of CURE not just extension of Life .

Doug 

With ref to your line regards 'not seeing them for 8 months'  I finished my treatment in March 2017 and I haven't seen anyone since.

Just PSA checks via your doctor and Tel calls with cancer centre. If PSa doesn't go back up no need to see anyone although I did find this a bit strange at first.

Steve

You should be getting to feel that you are still in the system and have regular contact otherwise you will feel isolated .I book my own PSA test and ring my GP reception the following am to get my result and ask for a copy .

Always try and take you PSA at the same time of day and remember taking anti-biotics increases the reading. Also levels increase after sex and riding a bicycle PS don't try both at the same time as you may end up in A and E!!

You really shouldn't have to wait for your results enquire at your surgery or perhaps change your GP . PSA results are fast tracked. However if after a prostectomy a more accurate lab test eg. AccuPSA gives readings down to 0.0001 . There should be zero PSA after a prostectomy .

You really need a zero PSA about a third of prostectomy cases have small traces of residual cancer cells left in the margins or in the prostate bed very common so don't panic . Usually treated with a small dose of radiotherapy if you like keep me updated to save PSA anxiety .l am delighted to help.

What should happen is regular contact with your provider. Regular PSA Tests important your hormone treatment should rapidly reduce the PSA level until you reach nPSA or nadir means lowest .This provides a very good indicator /predictor of BCR biochemical resistance or cancer regrowth . Your PSA should drop much further eg 0.07 but each cancer is different . Your 0.2ng is good and and shows the treatment is working radiotherapy continues to act for a long time . Expect the odd variation but so far so good .

Very similar to me a T3a N0 and PSA 11.I saw an Oncologist about 6 weeks after finish of RT but had only PSA tests and didn't get to see anyone for nearly a year and after that no further tests or appointments until November with no date set as yet. In this area it looks like as long as your PSA stays low they just leave you to get on with things. So Ithink a lot depends on the local health authority and it's policy. Looks like good results for you so far and long may they continue.     Regards Reg