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Prostatectomy follow up (Other than PSA testing)
What type of follow up is required after a diagnosis of PCa and a Prostatectomy? Other than regular PSA testing. My PCP says yearly follow up with Urology.....Urology says yearly follow up with PCP.
Is there some type of 'protocol' for making sure you are staying healthy and something else has not occurred with your health. PCP informs Medicare does not pay for a yearly physical. Any suggestions or knowledge as to follow up? TYIA
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From what I know, this would not be a routine yearly physical. Your diagnosis will be prostate cancer even after a prostatectomy. Insurance (Medicare and others) should pay for your periodic PSA tests.
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2 ReactionsI had RP last year at 70 years old. My doctor wanted PSA tests every 3 months for the 1st year, then switched to every 6 months as the PSA is staying undetectable. However, other than reviewing the PSA results there really isn't any other testing nor physical examinations during these post RP appointments. I have used these routine RP follow-up appointments to discuss penile rehab and get tadalafil and sildenafil prescriptions. If my PSA stays undetectable, then eventually they'll switch to annual PSA tests (not sure when). If my PSA starts rising, then imaging will be indicated at some point (although I most sincerely hope to never get to that point). I'm not a medical professional, but rather this is my layman understanding of post RP standard practices (in the absence of any other complicating conditions). As jeff1964 mentioned above my original Medicare and supplement has paid for the doctor visits and psa tests. Best wishes.
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2 ReactionsMedicare does pay for a yearly physical. It’s one of the non-optional paid for treatments.
I’ve had them every year and they pay for them every year and I’m 77 now.
What you need is no less than semi annual PSA tests. The first one after surgery should be around the three month mark, at the most. Many people have their PSA rise immediately and that’s the only way to find out. They are also covered. You don’t want to go too long after having treatment to make sure nothing’s coming back. My PSA started rising 3 1/2 years after I had a prostatectomy. I had semi annual tests. When my PSA hit .2 they gave me a Lupron shot and two months later they did radiation for 7+ weeks.
It doesn’t matter which doctor does the PSA test. You really don’t need to see your urologist for much of anything, hough they may be the one to order the PSA tests done. Besides that, unless you are having some sort of urological or surgical problem, the urologist doesn’t need to do any testing on you besides PSA.
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