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Any other methods Better than PSA to monitor prostate cancer?
Prostate Cancer | Last Active: Dec 12, 2023 | Replies (35)Comment receiving replies
Seasuite: it sounds as if you skipped the Urologist as your family doctor was comfortable with making the diagnosis themselves.
Was your confirming MRI at the same facility?
I too tracked my PSA level for about 10 years and saw the rise that eventually made it to 10.2. Just like JC 76, I had the decipher test. Biopsy material, from what I understand, is good for about a year.
To me, it was always about Backup opinions. Doctors are dedicated, but not infallible. The decipher test was just another back up for me. It is also used by doctors for evaluation. Correct me if I’m wrong, JC 76, but I believe the decipher test helped you avoid additional treatments? For me, it was easy enough to read, and gave me some guidance as a layman.
In terms of PSA, my brother had a PSA at its peak of 6.5 even though his prostate cancer had invaded outside his prostate. He also ended up on Lupron and is not happy about its side effects. My PSA was 10.2 and did not invade outside of the Prostate. Everybody is different. My RO told me if my PSA rises by two points, then it is an issue. My last test a month or so ago was at 1.4 and I had my narrow margin linac treatment finished in February. I did not have any hormone treatment.
Replies to "Seasuite: it sounds as if you skipped the Urologist as your family doctor was comfortable with..."
bens1, Regarding having a Decipher test. Yes you are correct. I was original diagnosed with intermediate risk of metastasizing prostrate cancer based on biopsies. Hormone treatments were recommended based on that diagnosis.
I had the Decipher test after the biopsies (using the biopsies) and it came back low risk. The Mayo Oncologist/Radiologist notified me that based on Decipher test results the recommendation for hormone treatments was no longer recommended just radiation.
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I'm not sure why my PSA scores didn't post correctly, but. I tried again with a .pdf since the .png was not working out. My PSA was always less than 5 and normal for my age.
I started with a urologist, then saw a different one when looking for a TPUS, rather than TRUS. The second urologist said that, for my specific cancer, he would personally get radiation, rather than surgery. I consulted a third urologist, who is one of the best known in the country and, while he advocated surgery, his final recommendation was neutral for my case. I also had a friend connection to a retired urologist, who is CMO for a medical foundation, and he provided candid advise independent of any of the institutions that I was dealing with, one of which he worked for for 16 years.
At the end of the day, each PCa is as different as a fingerprint. I would not advocate any treatment protocol for others, however, I like sharing my experience and hearing from others about theirs. Mayo connect is a great community for PCa sharing that is a primary 'support' group for me these days.
My family doctor did not make any diagnosis about my cancer. We spoke, at length, about her father's G9 PCa that was treated in Rochester. Her family is from MN, but, now she and I are in California. I was planning to consult at Mayo and, unfortunately, Dr. Gettman, who helped her father, is off to Dubai where he runs the clinic there. Also, due to legal restrictions, I could not complete a video visit unless I traveled to Rochester.
Screenshot 2023-12-05 at 9 (Screenshot-2023-12-05-at-9.59.29 AM-1.pdf)