Post prostatectomy &N1

Hello Appy 

Well that's a curious one and puzzling to me. So you have positive nodes but PSA undetectable - is that because all the cancer has been removed in the nodes? You have to think positive and say yes!

If I am right in that assumption your team want to wait say 3 months - repeat the PSA and if there's any rise then do a PET Scan. - Don't forget if your PSA is undetectable nothing will show up on a PET scan and that's £2.5k wasted!! 

i hope that helps - that's only my assumption - others may have a different idea. 

Best wishes - Brian.

Thanks Brian

Yes, I'll take the positives out of the situation and I suspect you're right but being told to wait 3 months after a positive N1 classification sucks

A private blood test might put you in a more relaxed frame of mind. Then if any detectable PSA you could forward that. 

Hello John (JohnPM ) 

Whilst I can understand wanting "to know" the situation I fully believe in trusting my team and I know my hospital are fully against private PSA tests as you have no idea of the qualifications of the analysing laboratory. Additional testing leads to additional anxiety in my book.

Best wishes - Brian

Hi Appy

You say nodes that were removed showed cancer but perhaps there are no other local nodes or perhaps clear if there are.

If you want a PSa normally a GP will give you one if you ask.

Steve 

Hi Appy

Sorry to hear it didn't go as you'd hoped but if your PSA is undetected that's good news. I'm not a medical professional but have read that even if the post op biopsy shows cancer cells at the boundary that doesn't mean it's still there. The trauma of the surgery kills cells adjacent to the removed tissue and it could well be completely gone. 

All the best

Cliff

Hello Steve (Grundo) 

The protocol if you are under a consultant for Prostate Cancer is they organise your PSA tests and your GP isn't to test unless specifically asked by the Consultant. (My GP told me that when I asked why my routine tests were not held at the surgery).

I do understand some GP surgeries do the PSA tests at the hospital consultants request.

Best wishes - Brian.

Oh, ok Brian, thanks, I didn't know that.

Bit surprised really.

My GP did quite a few PSA for me but must admit it was after treatment finished, of course once the hospital has finished with you it's all over to the GP then.

Best wishes 

Steve 

I guess routines are different.

My GP is going to do my PSA tests. The hospital won’t be involved again unless the PSA goes above 15. Also the urologist works at the hospital for the NHS and across the road as a private consultant. As did my wife’s surgeon for here hip replacements (private as waiting lists were long). 

I actually have no issue with private health. I’m not insured, but if the situation is improved if I use it, then I will.