PSA increases 28% after 5th Docetaxel treatment after decreasing 10% after each of the first 4 Docetaxel treatments

[EdMiller]

Have taken 5 of 6 Docetaxel treatments -- one every 3 weeks. PSA decreased 10% every 3 weeks after the first 4 Docetaxel treatments but learned at 5pm today (closing time at the offices unfortunately so couldn't contact anyone) that my PSA increased 28% after the 5th Docetaxel treatment. Any ideas from the group what might cause that large of increase after the 5th treatment after decreasing the previous 4 chemo treatments?

[Tall_Allen]

Maybe the cumulative dose caused a lot of cancer cells to finally die off. When they do, they release their PSA into the serum. PSA flares are common with treatment. Here's an article about it:

onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi...

[EdMiller in reply to Tall_Allen]

Thank you both for your comment and for the article.

[EdMiller]

Thank you Nakalrats. And I should have mentioned that my PSA went from 17.94 to 23.02 over the 3 week period following Docetaxel treatment 5.

Below are my initial and 3 weeks later PSAs for the 5 Docetaxel treatments that I have taken so far (one treatment every 3 weeks):

Iniitial PSA prior to beginning Docetaxel: 28.35

PSA 3 weeks after 1st Docetaxel trtment: 26.50

PSA 3 weeks after 2nd Docetaxel trtment: 23.36

PSA 3 weeks after 3rd Docetaxel trtment: 20.07

PSA 3 weeks after 4th Docetaxel trtment: 17.94

PSA 3 weeks after 5th Docetaxel trtment: 23.02

[rococo in reply to EdMiller]

If not getting results after third round some mos would suggest trying something else. Rocco

[EdMiller in reply to rococo]

Thanks for you thoughts and reply.

[Dan59]

I had several times where it rose on one cycle and went lower than it was on the next,lets hope it stays stable for a long time. I assume you are now done with 6 treatments as psa was 3 weeks after 5th and just before 6th. Will you do more now?

[EdMiller in reply to Dan59]

Thank you Dan. I have the 6th and final treatment this morning. My blood sample was yesterday where I learned my PSA from the 5th treatment 3 weeks ago.

[Shooter1]

Mine jumped slightly after number 5 after steady 25% drop for each one before, Added Xtandi and went right back to 25% drop for #6, Smaller drops for 7&8 then hit the wall and stopped after #9.Might mention Xtandi or Zytiga concurrently to your Drs, especially if you plan to press on past #6. Good luck.

Doug

[EdMiller in reply to Shooter1]

Thanks Shooter1

[Gary94]

After 6 of 10 treatments my psa has been fluctuating from 10 to 9.5 with a short detour to 11. So I understand your frustration.

[Raymonda100]

What are your scans showing? My husband's MO said he is not concerned about the PSA, and that what is much more important is whether his scans are showing no progression or further progression of mets after chemo.

[Mollygrace666]

I just received my 7th docetaxel treatment , my PSA went up for the first 5 treatments , my oncologist said it might spike , but now it is on the way down and hopefully that trend will continue

[Peterd110 in reply to Mollygrace666]

Wow! What made y’all hold out that long ? I thought if it didn’t start coming down after 4th then it was considered a failure???