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Conflicted/Confused, any Guidance/Advice out there?

Prostate Cancer | Last Active: Mar 31 2:33pm | Replies (72)

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@ecurb

WHATS AN RP? I had 28 RT treatments. Correct on PSMA PET SCAN- shows nothing if PSA is below 2.0, per my medical oncologist.

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Replies to "WHATS AN RP? I had 28 RT treatments. Correct on PSMA PET SCAN- shows nothing if..."

@ecurb , RP stands for radical Prostractemy (where they remove the prostrate). The removal of the prostrate should bring levels of PSA to undetectable. A PSA 2.0 would be a concern if had RP.

I think your medical oncologist meant .02 for undetectable. A PSA of 2.0 would be an issue after RP. However depending on how high your starting PSA level was a 2.0 after radiation would be good if high to start with. Radiation treatments that are successful will cause PSA levels to go down over time. According to UFPTI oncologist their goal is below 1.0. I was told it can take up to 1-2 years to bring down the PSA to the sustained lowest level.

When you still have a prostrate your PSA can still rise for non cancer related things and thus monitoring it to see if continues to rise is important. Should not have a rise of PSA if had RP and if so needs attention.

Most of those who have RP will also have hormone treatments which also reduce the PSA levels drastically as they hinder testororne which feeds cancer cells. Did you have hormone treatment (usually called ADT) along with your radiation treatments? I did not because my PSMA was negative, bones scan negative, and my Decipher test came back low risk where my biopsies rated me at intermediate.

That is why I and many others really suggest not only second opinions but the PSMA, bone, and Decipher test to give you the best overall diagnosis of your prostrate cancer, your risk level, and treatment options that are out there.