Question about rising PSA.

Posted by ericas @ericas, Jan 29 9:43pm

My husband was diagnosed two years ago with advanced regional prostate cancer. After radiation and a year or orgovyx there was no meaningful change in PSA, or testosterone.

last fall he switched to monthly shots of degaralex had his PSA started dropping. It was:

.011 in Sept
.07 in Oct
.08 in Nov
.09 in Dec
1.0 in January

I am concerned with this rise, but neither he nor his oncologist are worried. (Probably because they don't visit these boards).

Does anyone think I should push him to follow up or is this to be expected?

Also looking for new prostate oncologist at Northwestern in Chicago if anyone has any recommendations.

Thank you in advance.

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bluegill | @bluegill | Jan 30 7:32am

The Dec to Jan jump looks suspicious. Did it jumpo from 0.09 to 1.0, or to 0.10?

At any rate, I'm in the same boat. My PSA is very low, but steadily rising.

bluegill | @bluegill | Jan 30 7:34am

My "jumpo" also had one too many zeros. I need to proofread better.

aldenrobert | @aldenrobert | Jan 30 8:46am

I have been with Northwestern in Chicago for 2 of my 3 years in treatment for advanced prostate cancer. I have Dr. Ashley Ross as my Urological Oncologist. I like him just fine and would I recommend him. Dr. Ross was able to get me into a clinical trial at Northwestern. The trial in Chicago was headed by Medical Oncologist Dr. David VanDerweele who's care I am currently under. I would also recommend him. I would not recommend the Urologist I had previously Dr. Richard Troy of Lake Barrington.

proftom2 | @proftom2 | Jan 30 9:23am

PSA Concerns/worries are a part of prostate cancer survivorship. I am four years in on this journey. My PSA was going down now its rising again. My oncologist is watching which is good. Once we reach advanced level the focus shifts to QOL (Quality Of Life). I am healthily worried/concerned about my PSA, which means I am increasing my QOL efforts. Thank you for sharing and caring.

jc76 | @jc76 | Feb 3 10:00am

@ericas
From what you have posted I believe you are saying he had radiation not prostrate removal. I am not familiar with the drug mentioned but expect it is a hormone type drug which drastically starves the cancer from testosterone. I am not in position to comment on hormone treatments as I did not have them only radiation.

With radiation and his drug the PSA is still low. It is not much or a rise but the rise can be caused by other than cancer growing. What does your oncologist/radiologist and/or urologist say.

With a prostrate still in you will normally have a PSA level that can go up and down based on irritation and other factors and not caused by cancer. I know oncologist/radiologist said their goal is my PSA below 1. At my 6 month mark it was .90 down from 1.2 3 months after radiation stopped.

When prostrate is remove that is when the PSA should be at undetectable range. I am told that the number is not 0 but something like 002 as they don't give a number lower than that. Does your husband ride a bike. If so tell him not to ride a week before his PSA is taken. Biking has been shown to cause irritation in prostrate and can cause a rise in PSA level.

That said most of what I have said above is with prostrate left not removed. If it was removed that is a lot different factor and rising numbers with no prostrate would be more concerning if it were me.