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Post Prostatectomy 6 years. PSA <.01 until now. Anyone else?
I have been fortunate enough to experience PSA results of <.01 post prostatectomy. Now, at the 6 year mark, I have had a result of .02. I realize this is not a huge amount, however, wondering if anyone else has had this experience and what to expect going forward. I was very high risk at T3b, SVI, ECE, PSA 11, PNI, 4 +3. Wondering if I should expect a rapid increase now that it has reared it's ugly head? I have been very blessed so far. I would appreciate hearing from anyone else who has had similar experience. Thank you. Tom
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@tom86 I don’t mean to sound too facetious, but since indolent, undetectable PCa cells can always be floating around in our systems, ie, uncured, isn’t the real measure of “beating” PCa that we live long enough to die from something else?
@diverjer
I thought I was done with DREs after my prostate removal.
My uro, who is very good and respected one, still performs for as in the other comment.
@waldo434
Certainly.
@tom86 not a multitude but one very fortunate man. Had my RP August 13 of 2025. As of my last blood test my PSA was less than .005. Fingers crossed as my next Urology appointment is August 25th.
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1 Reaction@waldo434
Not quite. Due to low testosterone levels, these cells enter a low-energy state and smolder like embers. This is why prostates shrink in those who haven't had them removed.
The problem is that these dormant cells are invisible to the immune system. The only thing left to do is react to situations when they awaken and begin to grow.
I once heard the saying that cancer doesn't thrive in a low-acid environment and that you should drink wine before dinner and mineral water.
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1 Reaction@waldo434
Actually, they are called dormant cells. They are sent out throughout the body before the prostate cancer is even detected. There is no known way to find them, though it’s being worked on. If there’s a lot of stress on the body, they can become active and cause the cancer to come back.
Wrote this before I saw @denis76 made the same comment.
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1 Reaction@kennethb
Did you ask him why he is doing this?
Did you mention that it’s normally for the prostate to be checked? What is he looking for?
You might mention that Australia has decided not to do them at all anymore because they are an effective compared to an MRI.
@jeffmarc Dormant vs indolent. I appreciate the clarification. Thanks.
@jeffmarc
I had 4 MRIs (as the University told me they were the 'Gold Standard" for detecting early PCa)
3 different expert locations. All were PIRADS 2. No worries as my PSA was at 6, however stable. When the PSA started to rapidly climb that is when I learned I not only had very high risk disease but it had spread into the Seminal Vesicles. NOTHING ever showed up on any MRI. I would take a DRE any day over an MRI. Just my own experience.