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rising psa after radical prostatectomy



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Billybumps

				          
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        			    November 25, 2005 - 4:50pm			  			

			
			
 I had RP in June 2003. My post surgery pathology was: Gleason 7 (4+3), margins clear, cancer on both sides of prostate. All of my PSA readings since then have been less than .04. The last blood test with that result was in June 2005. My most recent PSA taken on 11/9/05 was .6. I saw my doctor the day before yesterday and he didn't think it was something to be concerned about. He told me to come back in 6 months and he would do another blood test at that time. I am worried. To me, going from less than .04 to .6 is a significant increase. Do you think I am worrying for nothing? Should I seek a second opinion? Is it normal to wait another 6 months after there has been some increase in the PSA? I appreciate any information you can provide to me . Thank you. Bill


‹ newly diagnosed gleason 10 stage iv low psa diagnosed today ›

						
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Benji48

				      
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November 26, 2005 - 9:43pm

			
Re: rising psa after radical prostatectomy
			
Hi Billy,

I was pretty much in the same situation about 3 years ago. I would certainly demand another PSA test at least at the 3month interval. Don't wait 6 !! If your PSA at the 3 month time is >0.6 & <2 you have a distinct advantage to submit to radiation treatment since that is the next available option. Try to convince your md of this. If he's not amenable, get another Dr.!

good luck,Benji



			
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rogermoore

				      
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November 27, 2005 - 8:35am

			
Re: rising psa after radical prostatectomy
			
Morning Billy,


I would have another test done through another facility, i.e. clinic or another DR.  Sometimes the lower limits of the testing lab varies.  i.e. one lab may test to a low limit of .04 and another might be 0.1


I would not wait 6 months.


Good luck, please keep us posted.


Roger



			
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stuart

				      
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November 27, 2005 - 8:43pm

			
Re: rising psa after radical prostatectomy
			
I agree with the others don't wait! We all worry when our PSA rises...My recommendation is don't go more than three months...If your doctor has a problem with that, get another doctor...If I have learned anything over the past five years, you must be your own advocate



			
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Photon

				      
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November 29, 2005 - 4:42am

			
Re: rising psa after radical prostatectomy
			
Hi Billy


I would seek a second opinion immediately. I had a RRP in April 2004 with a post op pathology of Gleason 7&8 in all sides and my psa was 0.3 after 3 weeks. During the next 6 months it varied between 0.27 and 0.31. My urologist and oncologist decided that they would give my conformal radiation to the prostrate bed because of that rise.

A rise of your level might be nothing serious but deserves more investigation by a second doctor. The current wisdom by Patrick Walsh the prostrate guru from John Hopkins is that if psa is allowed to rise above 1 that is not is not good for the future.

Sorry to sound pessimistic but if its caught early then the survival chances are good.

All the best

Photon



			
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Mark58

				      
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November 29, 2005 - 11:08am

			
Re: rising psa after radical prostatectomy
			
I also experienced a rising PSA after my RP. I had the surgery in March 2004. By November of that year my PSA had risen to 0.16. By July of 2005 it had slowly risen to 1.03. My doctor had tracked my PSA every 3 months during that period. I think 6 months is too long of an interval. I couldn't have waited that long. You can probably talk your doctor into a 3 month interval. I would try that before seeking a second opinion. I then had 39 IMRT rad treatments to my Prostate bed. There was no pain and only minimal side effects. I had my last treatment on Sept. 20th and 3 days later went out west for a 2 week RV vacation covering almost 5000 miles. No problems at all. Nov 18th I had another PSA test. It was 0.23 which is quite a drop from 1.03. I'm optimistic and hopeful that it will continue to drop. My next 2 PSA tests will have more importance, I'm sure, but for now I'm satisfied and do not regret having the rad treatments. I'll just live life to it's fullest for the time being and wait as always for.....THE NEXT PSA TEST. I know it is next to impossible, but try to keep a positive attitude and keep fighting.

Good luck and keep in touch.

Mark



			
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fitzner

				      
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December 8, 2005 - 8:14pm

			
Re: rising psa after radical prostatectomy
			
Mark, I will be praying for you my wife and I. My story is just beginning though. In 2003 the VA did a blood test and I never learned about it until 2005 the psa was 8.9 so I went for another blood test and from 2003 8.9 to 2005 it went to 9.8 psa.  I went for a byopsy and was told it was a smidge of prostate cancer.  I am 61 and in good health otherwise so I am going to elect for the radical.  Now get this while getting radiation counceling the Doctor order yet another blood test and the next night at home a VA surgeon calls me for any questions about radial option.  Then he tells me that "hey you psa lab tests came in on my computer as we were talking and he says my psa is 2.0 or around there, like real low and normal.  I am going to see him early in January 06 should I ask for another byopsy to find out if it is gone or what?  I think he want to operate.  Really confused and just don't know what to do.  I am going to call my primary doctor to also enquire.  Fitzner



			
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marcel333

				      
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October 27, 2008 - 6:21pm

			
rising psa after rad prostatectomy
			
Scheduled for radiation therapy- a 39 session treatment to the prostate. Told a likely side effect will be FATIGUE.

Had also scheduled to enter a sports competition which will occur on the 28th-29th day of treatment. Am trying to decide if the level of fatigue is such that I should cancel this event. Not getting idea of level of fatigue one experiences. Would appreciate any guidelines/personal experience you had....did it prevent you from active daily life?

PS- sport is veteran fencing- which requires short periods of intense physical activity- 3 to 9minutes long(bouts) spaced by brief rests until the next bout...and so on for some 6 to 10 bouts.

Event is distant from hospital so will have to stop treatment for 1 or 2 days- another question- should I wait until after event and start treatment dec 15

marcel



			
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Aricka

				      
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June 17, 2009 - 10:36pm

			
Rising PSA after radical prostatectomy
			
Here's my story for what it's worth. I had RP in December of 2000. It was caught very early and completely encapsulated. No Chemo or radiation recommended. 7 years later PSA still undetectable. In 2007 PSA 0.2. Early 2008 PSA 0.3. April 2009 PSA 0.3. Now Doctors recommend Radiation therapy. I guess I was naive about this thing and had begun to believed the waiting for the other shoe to drop was over. I'm sorry but I'm so angry. I see the look in my wife's eyes and can't stand to know I'm having to put her through this again. Especially knowing her father died of prostate cancer a year after we were married. I didn't mean to bring this thing to her. I'm so very sorry. I don't how to begin to make this up to her. Hell we're only 60 and recently retired. I just don't know what to do.



			
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lewvino

				      
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June 18, 2009 - 7:01am

			
Sorry to hear about the
			
Sorry to hear about the slight rise in your PSA. I've been recently diagnosed and waiting for my surgery on August 12th. I would suggest openly talking to your wife about your fears and hers. The cancer is not something you brought on to yourself and I'm sure she knows that. I've been anry myself since I found out that I have Prostate Cancer. My Dad was diagnosed back in 1997 and still doing fine, but I'm 54 and not wanting to deal with all the possible side effects. Talking helps me tremendously.


Keep us updated on how you are doing.


Larry 



			
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crescent

				      
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December 10, 2005 - 2:14pm

			
Re: rising psa after radical prostatectomy
			
  I had surgery 2 years ago and my psa went from a 12 before and after 0.1 for 2 years.  Went back for PSA month ago and it was a 0.2 and all Flags have gone up with my Family Dr and the surgon that did my surgery 2 y ears ago. I had another psa done month later and it was down to a 0.1 but surgeon has refered me to a Radaition Therapist Sounds like I will be going thru some Radiation.  My family Dr. explained to me that anytype of movement of psa that they get alarmed now. so they dont take any chances even if mine did go down.  He said that there still might be some small cancer cells in the prostate area even if the prostate is gone. I will know more this next week what is going to happen to me.  



			
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mammie

				      
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June 21, 2009 - 11:52am

			
Should I be concerned?
			
i just called my daddy to wish him a happy father's day and he "just mentioned" that his psa has risen to 3. he had a rp 10 years ago. he will be 81 on Wednesday.  My husband is going tomorrow for biopsies, they take 12. His psa has risen from 1.5 in 2005 to 4.9 last month. His brother had rp last summer and his father died from colon cancer. I guess the waiting game begins. thanks for listening.



			
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lewvino

				      
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June 21, 2009 - 5:21pm

			
Please keep us posted on
			
Please keep us posted on your dads and husbands progress! I'm waiting for my robotic surgery on August 12th age 54. My dad also had PC and was treated in 1996. Still doing OK but gets checked every year.



			
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