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Any other methods Better than PSA to monitor prostate cancer?

Prostate Cancer | Last Active: Dec 12, 2023 | Replies (35)
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@seasuite

Thanks for all the helpful replies!! I had a PSMA PET scan, thankfully negative, and a Decipher Grid, 0.57 intermediate risk, run prior to beginning treatments. I asked my RO yesterday if another PET scan would be helpful, post treatment, and she did not believe it would be. At minimum, your comments are helping me think that I'm not missing anything and can stop looking. Regarding insurance, I started Medicare/Medigap G recently as I worked until 71 and had a company plan. It has been covering well and allows a lot of flexibility.

Unlike with RP, when you have a writhing organ to dissect postoperatively, radiation patients typically lie on a table with 'tv sets' revolving around us and we are to believe it's working. I am indeed a man of faith, but, also believe in verification.

Best to all!

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Replies to "Thanks for all the helpful replies!! I had a PSMA PET scan, thankfully negative, and a..."
wrothrock | @wrothrock | Dec 8, 2023

Seasuite, Yes PSA levels vary greatly between people PRIOR to treatment. Mine went from 1.3 to 3.6 in a year and at 72 years old that was well within a "normal" range. I explained to my urologist that there was a family history of prostate cancer (grandfather, father), he still suspected BPH but scheduled an MRI anyway just to be sure. The results came back Stage 4 with mets to my pelvis. ADT and radiation was started almost immediately and PSA dropped to undetectable. My urologist said most of his patients in my condition would have had a PSA well over 20. After radiation or surgery, and after ADT is finished, PSA becomes a very ACCURATE and reliable indication of whether the cancer is still there. For folks like us, PSA velocity (rise in level over a years time) is more important than actual PSA levels.

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