biochemical recurrence

gnorris51

I just joined and was wondering Is there already a discussion of this? My husband had stage 4 prostate cancer but radiation and Hormone T has resulted in a five year remission with undetectable PSA. In the last six months PSA is up several times and is going for PSMA-Pet in three weeks and I'm wondering what all this means. Thanks so much to anybody who can shed some light on what I can expect if there is a recurrence.

CSNSupportTeam

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gnorris51

thank you

VascodaGama

https://csn.cancer.org/discussion/327996/biochemical-recurrence

Hi,

A constant increase of the PSA after radical treatments (surgery or radiation) is called "biochemical recurrence". It could mean that the radiation of 5 years ago didn't work or that there were other areas affected with cancer not mapped/covered by the radiotherapist. Now your husband's doctors will try to locate those ares with the PSMA PET, before advising on a salvage treatment.

Can you tell us the latest PSA histology?

Best wishes and luck in his continuous journey.

VGama

Clevelandguy

Hi,

Ditto on what Vasco said, it could be a reoccurrence in the Prostate tissue. I think his name is Steve just went through this. He did radiation initially and the doctors went back in and removed the remains of his Prostate which was cancerous. If that is your situation hopefully Steve will comment with his insight. There are many tools still in available such as various ADT drugs, immunotherapy , further radiation possible, ablation, ect. that will benefit your husband’s situation.

Dave 3+4

Josephg

Several of us have been through biochemical recurrence, with myself going through it twice. While disappointing and unsettling, it is just another inflection point in the prostate cancer (PCa) journey. As stated above, there are still many tools in the medical therapy arsenal to effectively hold PCa at bay. A PET scan is the next step to determine where the active PCa is located, and then a therapy will be assembled to combat it. Stay calm and communicate with your medical professionals.

If you don't already have a Medical Oncologist specializing in PCa as part of your medical team, request one. Biological recurrence is the area where the Medical Oncologist is the expert, and will guide you is assessing medical therapy options going forward.

Old Salt

The above comments are all 'right on'.

What is his current PSA? PSMA scans get better at higher PSA values. No matter what will be found, there will be therapies. As mentioned, an experienced medical oncologist can advise once the PSMA data are available.

gnorris51

Thank you so much. All of you are so wonderfully supportive. We have a terrific oncologist and radiologist who was able through treatment of Hormone T (Lupron, Zitiga) and Radiation was able to stem its growth and spread. He had prostate that had also moved to the pubic bone. He went through this with only minimal side effects during treatment and has been stable at 0.1 for five years plus. Then this year his PSA went from 0.1 to 0.3 to 0.5 and now 0.7 which seems to be an indicator of return. the PSMA-Pet is scheduled for the 23rd of May with a follow up visit to our Oncologist. I have been reading and learned of the biochemical recurrence and I'm wondering if that comes back in the prostrate..he still has his because since it has metastasized they didn't do surgery but just radiation. Or does that indicate it might come back in the bone or elsewhere. It is just a little scary waiting until May 23 to find out whats going on…not so much for him..he is pretty chill about it..but for me..a bit scary of what might come. Thanks again for everyone's support and information. You all have no idea what this means to me…or maybe you do. XX G

VascodaGama

Hi again,

I understand your worries but prostate cancer doesn't spread overnight. You need the PSMA PET scan and other exams to decide on a salvage treatment.

That,too, wouldn't differ was it started today or in one month time. Wait for the doctor's opinion and follow it or get a second opinon if not satisfied.

Best wishes

VG

gnorris51

Thanks!

Genie