1. < Prostate Cancer

Has anyone had the PSMA-PET scan? Was cancer found?

Posted by hector13 @hector13, May 12, 2022

My prostate was removed 5 years ago. Two months ago, my PSA went from 0.00 to 0.09, and this month the PSA increased to 0.2. My urologist believes I am a candidate for the new PSMA-PET scan approved in 2020 that is more sensitive than previous scans in detecting small tumors. Has anyone had this scan? If so, what was your PSA at the time and was the cancer found?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Prostate Cancer Support Group.

bettwils16 | @bettwils16 | Dec 4, 2022
In reply to @scullrower "To continue, after the cancer was found to be isolated in the pelvis, I was treated..." + (show)
@scullrower

To continue, after the cancer was found to be isolated in the pelvis, I was treated with five rounds of SBRT. Three months later my PSA was undetectable. This is after 21 years since diagnosis, surgery, then first recurrence treated with radiation, second recurrence treated with Lupron, third recurrence scanned then radiation. Rule of thumb: get scanned, then treated. If you can see cancer, you know better how to treat it. Any recurrence should be seen as an opportunity to kill it. Get second opinions and seek curative treatment, if possible. Don’t settle for palliative treatment except as last resort. Finally, if you aren’t satisfied with your local doctors, got to a center of excellence. I had better communication with docs at UCLA than I did at home.

Jump to this post

Cancer completely gone in the pelvis?

REPLY
1 reply
scullrower | @scullrower | Dec 4, 2022
In reply to @bettwils16 "Cancer completely gone in the pelvis?" + (show)
@bettwils16

Cancer completely gone in the pelvis?

Jump to this post

My PSA is <0.008, which is undetectable. There’s no point in scanning at this time because if there is cancer, it would be too small to see. I’m still on Lupron and secondary treatment Nubeqa and will remain being treated for at least another 12 months. Then, if the PSA remains undetectable, I will stop all treatment and monitor the PSA. If it stays undetectable, the presumption is the cancer is gone. Note: I’ve not met a doctor yet that is quick to use the word “cured” in my case. Ever.

REPLY
wenv | @wenv | Dec 5, 2022

Just to update my post.

On Nov. 28th I had my second PSMA/PET scan at the University of Washington. My PSA on 10/14/2022 was 1.40.

The short, cryptic text message from my oncologist was in part,

"The scan showed no evidence of disease".

He went on to add that he is recommending that I begin treatment of the pelvis region for 8 1/2 (eight and a half) weeks.

I'm waiting for an appointment and/or phone call to answer multiple questions.

Here''s some of the questions:
Why eight and a half weeks?
Is that radiation or ???
His message doesn't use the term "radiation".
Why isn't the PSMA scan finding the cancer location?

Hopefully I will be able to ask my Doctor the above questions.

Thanks in advance.

REPLY
1 reply
bettwils16 | @bettwils16 | Dec 5, 2022
In reply to @hector13 "Hi Colleen, Yes, my urologist scheduled the PET scan because after 4 years of PSA readings..." + (show)
@hector13

Hi Colleen,
Yes, my urologist scheduled the PET scan because after 4 years of PSA readings of 0.00, it has risen to 0.2. I had the scan yesterday, and hope it picked up where the cancer cells are located.

New question: Do you have data as to what percentage of patients who have their prostate removed, and have radiation treatment, later experience a recurrence of their prostate cancer?

Jump to this post

What were the results of your scan and treatment plan? Thx

REPLY
web265 | @web265 | Dec 5, 2022
In reply to @bettwils16 "PSMA PET recently done. 3 lymph nodes lite up like a Christmas tree in my chest...." + (show)
@bettwils16

PSMA PET recently done. 3 lymph nodes lite up like a Christmas tree in my chest. Prostatectomy 8 yrs ago. Biopsies done last week neg but Pulmonary surgeon doing a more invasive Bronchoscopy next week
Prostate bed clean. Probably headed for radiation

Jump to this post

Were you monitoring your PSA during that 8 years and did it stay low? Just curious.

REPLY
1 reply
rxharleydude | @rxharleydude | Dec 5, 2022

I have had 2 PSMA pet scans about six months apart. Both showed numerous cancer involvement in bone and lymph nodes. My current therapy is becoming refractory, and my PSA is rising (currently eight) we are looking at alternative therapies one of which is radium 223.

REPLY
bettwils16 | @bettwils16 | Dec 5, 2022
In reply to @web265 "Were you monitoring your PSA during that 8 years and did it stay low? Just curious." + (show)
@web265

Were you monitoring your PSA during that 8 years and did it stay low? Just curious.

Jump to this post

Yes, twice a year until 2020, when it started going up. It stayed just under .20 so psa was increased to 3 x's year. This year .20 then .24 x 2 so PSMA PET done.

REPLY
woodworker | @woodworker | Dec 5, 2022
In reply to @natem "Hi Bandit11, What's the benefit of the Decipher genetic test? I recently had a BCR at..." + (show)
@natem

Hi Bandit11,
What's the benefit of the Decipher genetic test? I recently had a BCR at .2/.3 and treated with radiation (very modern bed/machine) and 6 months Orgovxy. Oncologist estimates curability likely 25%-35% because suspected recurrence @.3 was in lymph bed.
I'm 62 yo. RP @53 in 2013, Gleason 9.

Jump to this post

I had the Decipher genetic test and as far as I understand, it gives a probibility of how fast your cancer might grow. here is a exerpt:
Decipher Prostate is a genomic classifier that stratifies patients by risk of prostate cancer progression. Physicians use Decipher to help determine which patients may be safe for less intensive treatment approaches and which may need additional or more intensive treatment.

REPLY
1 reply
melcanada | @melcanada | Dec 6, 2022
In reply to @woodworker "I had the Decipher genetic test and as far as I understand, it gives a probibility..." + (show)
@woodworker

I had the Decipher genetic test and as far as I understand, it gives a probibility of how fast your cancer might grow. here is a exerpt:
Decipher Prostate is a genomic classifier that stratifies patients by risk of prostate cancer progression. Physicians use Decipher to help determine which patients may be safe for less intensive treatment approaches and which may need additional or more intensive treatment.

Jump to this post

I sent my blood to 4kscoretest.com and it told me I had aggressive PC. $600

REPLY
cerler | @cerler | Dec 6, 2022
In reply to @stinkeye "Does anyone know where a PSMA-Pet Scan testing location might be in Arizona. We live in..." + (show)
@stinkeye

Does anyone know where a PSMA-Pet Scan testing location might be in Arizona. We live in Prescott.

Jump to this post

Hello, we are also in AZ and seeking locations in AZ for PSMA Pet Scan. Any help would be appreciated.

REPLY
1 reply
View MoreView Less
Please sign in or register to post a reply.