Time interval for PSA, other labs, and MO followup appt.

[etenntider]

Interested in what labs and MO visit schedules folks have.

I’m metastatic (11 rib and spine lesions per Jan ‘18 Axumin PET), hormone sensitive on Lupron since Sept ‘17 (2 weeks post RARP) and Zytiga since Feb ‘18. PSA undetectable since May ‘18, and I’ve had labs and followup every six weeks since. Liver function labs are normal; only consistent concern is anemia, though I was routinely slightly anemic prior to PCa diagnosis. Also doing spine MRI every 18 weeks due to location of one lesion.

MO, who I see next week for last time (he’s leaving Cancer Center for private practice), suggested at my last visit that we go to a 12 week interval. I don’t know yet whether new Cancer Center MO will also recommend 12 week interval.

My concern re: longer interval is the potential to fall behind the disease progression when it comes, i. e., an additional six weeks of rising PSA before we know it’s time to change my treatment approach.

I appreciate hearing your schedules and opinions.

BTW, this is my first post, though my wife has posted a number of times with questions and concerns, and I have read regularly for several months now.

[FCoffey]

I'm not a doctor and can't tell you what an appropriate schedule would be.

It's your life and your choice, if you want more frequent tests you can order them yourself. Health-Tests-Direct.com has done very well for me. Ultralabtests.com is a bit cheaper. There are many similar online services. All use Quest Diagnostics or LabCorp labs, the same ones your doc uses. You order online, go to a blood draw center, and get an email a day or so later with a link to the results. Easy peasy.

Keep in mind that you are likely to stress more often when you get tested more often. PSA levels go up and down, sometimes a lot and sometimes quite rapidly. There's a balance between keeping up with the disease and worrying yourself to death. Prostate cancer is almost never an emergency so a 12-week delay isn't likely to harm you. But it is your choice, your life, and your money. Insurance generally won't cover self-ordered tests.

Good luck!

[monte1111 in reply to FCoffey]

Went to Health-Tests-Direct. Did not know you could order all of these tests without a prescription. I learn something new on this site every day. Thanks much. I shall file this into my ever decreasing memory cells.

[Fairwind]

A big hospital or clinic will have its own lab and they can do most blood work in an hour or less..The PSA test takes about 2-3 hours to complete. You can get a blood work-up without a prescription. A complete work-up runs about $85-$100. There are labs in any metropolitan area that will take walk-ins. They will do the blood draw right there..Ask for a CBC, CMP and PSA..That covers almost everything..They will email you a link to your test results and you can print or download them from there..Usually takes around 12 hours for results..

[Hidden]

I agree with FCoffey, you can take a longer time between if you and your oncologist are in agreement. I think it is a good conversation to have with whoever you see next.

[Pmann]

I am curious about the Cancer Center you mention since you are a follower of the Tide?

[etenntider in reply to Pmann]

Hi, Pmann, it’s Vanderbilt. And, yes, I’m an Alabama grad and fan, living in my hometown about 25 miles from Knoxville. I can report that there are fewer big orange flags flying around here since it’s been 4,429 days since ut beat us.

[Peterd110]

Thank you for posting. I have wondered the same thing. My dr said not to come back until feb after our last visit in October. I asked for bloodwork in between and he agreed to order it

[Ldb01]

My hubby has had PSA tests every 6 weeks.