Slight PSA rise 9 months after radiation.

My layperson's understanding is that the "normal" PSA baseline gets higher as men age. Also, 3.57 to 3.75 might be a normal variation from test to test (some of my other, non-PSA blood test results have been wildly different even from samples drawn on the same day and sent to different labs). I don't want to speculate further. Can you book a longer appointment to discuss with your radiation oncologist? If that's not possible, does your treatment centre have a patient-support line where you can talk with a trained oncology nurse?

I had my first follow up with the RO yesterday after completing five rounds of SBRT in May, and after my six month Eligard shot from February ran its course. My 14.7 PSA in February is down to 0.17 as of yesterday.

He told me that the PSA can fluctuate after radiation is completed, and that "PSA bounce" can still occur a year or more down the road. He'd be more concerned if there was a trend line upwards over time to above 2.0 or so, or if the PSA had not fallen significantly by the first follow up. Definitely talk to your RO to get a better understanding of your numbers and any movement.

Thank you for that info, it was really helpful. Good luck going forward, just remain positive.

@giordi
Did your R/O explain that the PSA can have slight bumps after about a year and are not a concern if they are not going up and up.

Many things can cause your PSA to rise and have nothing to do with the cancer. Do you bike ride. If so do not do so about a week prior. It can cause prostrate irritation.

My R/O said to EXPECT bumps in your PSA and that was normal and to be expected. It is the continous rise in the PSA that would be a problem or a very large rise in the number.

After 30 rounds of proton radiation I went from 3.75 to .90 to .44. I have another in Speptember. I do a PSA test every 3 months. I did not have hormone treatments.
@smurphympls gave good advice.
Good luck.

May be PSA bounce which is common after radiation or an infection etc .
Are you on Dutasteride for BPH , If so for how long . e.g. If you are on Dutasteride a few years you have to Double your PSA .
Additionally , if your PSA is rising when on this medication -- it is more concerning .
Consult with your Oncologist .

My dyslexia kept me from see your "problem" for a while. My understanding from conversation from doctors and my own research is that 3.57 and 3.75 are not an indication of any change and is more commonly put off to time of day, position of the Moon, testing equipment, etc. Not a change at all.

Thanks for your feedback. The issue is my PSA should be dropping (after radiation treatment). After 3 additional months I expected it to continue to fall, not stay the same. Much appreciated!

Not on anything right now, just recovering after radiation (9 months ago). Much appreciated!

After radiation, your PSA should normally drop below 1, if it is above 2 after nine months it probably means you have a metastasis somewhere. Have you had a PSMA pet scan? Have you talked to your oncologist about this?

You really should get scanned to see what’s going on, that high a PSA is not normal after radiation.

Even if it was above 11 before radiation?