4 year PSA

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JJMWFF1955
JJMWFF1955 Member Posts: 20 Member
in Prostate Cancer #1

My PSA after 4 years of RT was 1.3.  My nadir after 2 years was 0. I'm 80 years old now so I'm asking is that normal.  The last reading was 1.7 and 3 months ago and this last reading done a mone ago was 1.3.  I have appointment with Urology specialists this week and was wondering what to expect. 

I am not on any ADT treatment. I was taken off of Fermagon 2 years ago.  They did two prostate exams and prostate is normal but the Urologist will probably want to do more testing.

I'm still feeling ok but now am concerned about them saying rougue cells.  the biopsy done back in Oct 4th 2016 showed bot in both lobes most of the samples taken were positive so they charactized it as agressive then. 

I took 44 Rad teatments which ended in Jan of 2017 so here I am today and so far all I have is neuropathy in both legs probably from limph node damage during radiation treatment. 

So if anyone has any knowledge about where I stand I would appreciatel it.

 

JJ   thanks

Comments

  • Clevelandguy
    Clevelandguy Member Posts: 1,011 Member
    edited November 2020 #2
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    Hi JJ,

    Sounds like your bouncing around a little which from what I have learned is not that uncommon.  From what you said you still have your Prostate gland which will produce some PSA.  If it was me I would wait for a few more PSA tests to see if your value is definitely increasing with an upward trend. 

    Dave 3+4

  • JJMWFF1955
    JJMWFF1955 Member Posts: 20 Member
    edited November 2020 #3
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    Clevelandguy said:

    Hi JJ,

    Sounds like your bouncing around a little which from what I have learned is not that uncommon.  From what you said you still have your Prostate gland which will produce some PSA.  If it was me I would wait for a few more PSA tests to see if your value is definitely increasing with an upward trend. 

    Dave 3+4

    Hey Thanks Clevelandguy  ,  I'm not feeling bad yet after all these years. Have frequent urination but i can live with that. I am anxious about seeing the specialists and what he wants to do comeing this Friday,

    The question is how long should i go before the next PSA reading?   Come December it will be 2 months since my last reading. 

  • Clevelandguy
    Clevelandguy Member Posts: 1,011 Member
    edited November 2020 #4
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    Time between readings

    Hi JJ,

    Right after my surgery if I remember correctly I had PSA tests every 3 months for about a year then I think my Dr. switched to every 6 mo. for another two years.  Now I get a PSA test every year.  On the Dr. visit to discuss my PSA results he would write me a prescription for the next test so I always knew when. You and your Dr. should discuss the frequency.

    Dave 3+4

  • hopeful and optimistic
    hopeful and optimistic Member Posts: 2,339 Member
    edited November 2020 #5
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    .

    There is something called a radiation bounce that occurs about two years after radiation. I'm not sure of the range. At any rate the psa bounces higher, then declines again. At times it is difficult to know if it a bounce or recurrence. 
    You might want to discuss this with your radiation oncologist. 

     https://prostatecancerinfolink.net/2018/03/16/psa-bounces-after-first-line-radiation-therapy/?back=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com%2Fsearch%3Fclient%3Dsafari%26as_qdr%3Dall%26as_occt%3Dany%26safe%3Dactive%26as_q%3Dradiation+Bounce%26channel%3Daplab%26source%3Da-app1%26hl%3Den

    https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/what-is-a-psa-bounce-20090929196?back=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com%2Fsearch%3Fclient%3Dsafari%26as_qdr%3Dall%26as_occt%3Dany%26safe%3Dactive%26as_q%3Dradiation+Bounce%26channel%3Daplab%26source%3Da-app1%26hl%3Den

  • Max Former Hodgkins Stage 3
    Max Former Hodgkins Stage 3 Member Posts: 3,812 Member
    edited November 2020 #6
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    PSA

    JJ,

    Your results and trending do not seem frightening to my layman's reaction.   You have done very well, and there is always HT available if necessary, but you do not seem to be trending in that direction at present.  PSA tests are, in the medical scheme of things, relatively inexpensive.  If it comforts you more, ask for them more often, and most urologist would (I think) comply.    Also, it makes sense that you feel well, since PCa does not cause discomfort to most men until their levels are WAY high.

    Bless your future results,

     

  • Old Salt
    Old Salt Member Posts: 1,322 Member
    edited November 2020 #7
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    Those PSA tests make us nervous...

    I agree with the above posts suggesting that there is no need to worry. But as suggested, another test in three months or so may be advisable. On the other hand, more frequent testing will most likely not help with your peace of mind...

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