Rising PSA years after radical prostatectomy

Posted by olanordman @olanordman, Feb 22, 2021

I am 60 years and I had radical prostatectomy on 23rd Nov 2018. I was told out of the 15 lymph nodes taken only one was affected less than a millimetre. It was Gleason score 7B with PSA around 13 at time of surgery but 11 at time of diagnosis in June 2018.

The PSA been fluctuating between 0.09 and 0.18 since surgery on 23rd November 2018
I have no incontinence as well as Erectile dysfunction. I take hypertension medication – Norvask Amlodipine 5mg daily and Cetirizine 5mg for allergy. Below are some of the test results. I have many of these test results – a few below
Jan 2019: 0.11
April 2019: 0.11
June 2019: 0.09
August 2019: 0.12
December 2019: 0.12
April 2020: 0.12
August 2020: 0.11
October 2020: 0.17
December 2020: 0.15
February 2021: 0.18

I am worried the cancer may be returning or might have spread. I met my doctor today and expressed my concerns. He has agreed to refer me to the hospital where I had the surgery. Any suggestions based on this brief history?

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Sounds like you’re just beginning. I am 13 years in and this is what my journey was like. Lupron injections immediately plus bicalutamide. My Gleason scores were all 10+, very bad. That lasted about four years and then they started me on Zytiga and Lupron. Occasional PSA’s from .1 up to four or five. Now that you’re a 13 I had a PSA rise to 30 and through diet, prayer, and some radiation treatments on bone cancer. It has come back down to 11. I still play golf and I still ride my Harley . And babysit the grandkids, and live alone. But I have much less energy than before. I encourage you to do research now to find a direction that will cure your cancer and not just treat it. I have become cynical and see my doctors and treatment centers as Using me for that insurance payment. None ever speak of a cure, they all speak of treatments. And several doctors have told me directly they are not going to treat other known spaces of cancer in my body until it becomes painful. I question that and have not gotten an answer. Other than that is how we do it . Obviously, you and I do not have access to proactive treatment.

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@olanordman

What is the benchmark of PSA value for further treatment after man has gone through radical prostatectomy and combined radiation and hormone therapy. I have been through radical prostatectomy. I am currently on biculatamide 150mg which I started with radiation (25 does) for 5 weeks. he biculatamide is to be taken up to 31st March 2023 (18 months). Currently my PSA is not detectable.

I am yet to contact my urologist on 12th th Dec.

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Did same then put on Zolodex injections do it

after 4 years they took me off

Cancer metasomatized to L2 which we nuked 1 inch out

now psa climbing again 1.2 4.22 5.23 and 6.6 getting PET and CT scans

loosing c sensitive ?

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I am 63 had my prostatectomy in 2014. Had a PSA test in 2021 come back 0.05 had one in 2023 it had gone up to 1.51. Had one two days a go up to 1.79 any thoughts.

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@glennh23

I am 63 had my prostatectomy in 2014. Had a PSA test in 2021 come back 0.05 had one in 2023 it had gone up to 1.51. Had one two days a go up to 1.79 any thoughts.

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I'm 65 and had my RP in September 2016. PSA was

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PSA levels change through out the day just like one’s Testosterone levels do! It can depend on what time of the day you test! Obviously, anytime your PSA Levels rise is a time to be watchful and careful. However, I would caution that too many men unnecessarily “freak out” a little if their PSA levels rise even on the most minimal of levels. If they continue to rise then seek the advice of your cancer treatment team and take whatever the next and most appropriate steps are to more specifically determine if anything needs to be followed more closely or if there is any evidence what so ever that any of your cancer has returned, where and to what degree. Remember, once you’ve been diagnosed and treated for cancer it becomes a lifetime of observation and then additional treatments to eradicate it if necessary. As cancer patients, we are responsible along with our health care teams to monitor any significant changes in our situation, react and treat accordingly. As you already know…..There are absolutely NO
GUARANTEES about Cancer. We can all be thankful and rejoice when we are in remission and take the necessary steps required to address our personal situations when we are not! It’s really the best we can do. I’ve coined the following phrase regarding cancer. Please feel free to use or share it with others if it resonates with you.

“Cancer is NEBULOUS at best,
SINISTER at worse and VILLAINOUS in between!”

However, that being said, we do everything we can as patients to manage our cancer the very best we can. We deal with whatever comes our way when and if it comes our way. Hopefully, we continue to be as successful and in remission for as long as we can possibly be.

GOD SPEED

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ditto to PSnowden...we are the first person responsible for our health. React to your PSA and form your own web of info. Survivors, Treatment web sites...their reviews, referances, Walsh's book, and understand the treatment options & talk to potential treatment providers. My approach to the latter is the 'front office'...in my opinion if your calls are met with a lack of interest and/or poor answers to your questions...RED FLAG...if the providers cannot build/staff a "front office" operation it may signal poor quality into the treatment group.
And by web site...get beyond the gloss, look at Creds for the docs, etc.
edk

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@glennh23

I am 63 had my prostatectomy in 2014. Had a PSA test in 2021 come back 0.05 had one in 2023 it had gone up to 1.51. Had one two days a go up to 1.79 any thoughts.

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It would appear that you have had recurrence like 30%-40% of men who have a RP. You should see your urologist or oncologist ASAP as it appears that the cancer has returned and you need to take action.

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Based on the consistency of your PSA scores I personally would not be overly concerned. Unfortunately, the medical profession has instilled an “overreaction” attitude if your PSA goes up slightly or even a little more than that. Monitor your situation consistently, (at least on a quarterly basis) and do whatever you need to do to be prudent in addressing whatever needs to be adequately addressed. I’ve observed far too many men getting far too excited, worried and agitated over PSA changes that don’t about to anything to be concerned about. They spend more time upset and worrying than appreciating every day they have in life in remission! Prostate Cancer is a very slow growing and progressive cancer for the vast majority of patients. If you are responsibly monitoring yourself on a consistent basis you should be well in front of the curve regarding the discovery of anything that really requires your immediate attention or the consideration of treatment options if required. Once you have Cancer it becomes a “Lifetime Affair!” You May be FREE of cancer but you are never FREE from cancer.
There are absolutely NO guarantees about it and you are hopefully grateful for everyday you’re in remission. If at some point in the future you’re not in remission then you address it like every other patient I know who has done to get back into remission again. We can only do the best we can do at any given time. That’s it! We get the very best results and outcome we can get and that’s what we get! Cancer is by default, really crappy stuff! MIT’s not a club that anybody wants to be a member of. However, once you become a member, and usually reluctant so………you do the best you can, PERIOD. GOD SPEED

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@glennh23

I am 63 had my prostatectomy in 2014. Had a PSA test in 2021 come back 0.05 had one in 2023 it had gone up to 1.51. Had one two days a go up to 1.79 any thoughts.

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I assume your Urologist is running your tests and you've been happy with his treatment over the years. If that's the case he should guide you with your next course of action. Good Luck with everything.

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@glennh23

I am 63 had my prostatectomy in 2014. Had a PSA test in 2021 come back 0.05 had one in 2023 it had gone up to 1.51. Had one two days a go up to 1.79 any thoughts.

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Glennh23: Time for Urologist/Oncolgist consult; agree with gkm and others responding to you.
Your PSA is in the investigate/treatment zone.
Sorry. Best to you, and all.

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