On Eligard just finished RT and psa remained same. Now what?

[4020jd]

My husband was diagnosed in Sept 2011 at age 43 with Prostate cancer. Had it removed 12-11. Told clear margins. Had psa a few years undetected. Missed a few years, 2016 PSA .2. Missed going back until sept 2018 when PSA 1.1. Had Eligard shot Nov 2018, 40 RT Psa done 2-13-19 and PSA is 1.07. So nothing changed with the treatment. Now what? He's now 51. Any similar stories that can shed some light?--

[Tall_Allen]

It's a big mistake to have a PSA taken right after radiation - you should wait a minimum of 3 months. I'm surprised your RO allowed it. Radiation destroys cancer cells. Dead cancer cells release their PSA into the serum. So the PSA you just took may only be telling you that the radiation worked. It may take quite some time for the PSA to come down to its nadir.

[4020jd in reply to Tall_Allen]

I am so new to all this. The RO, is the radiation onologist, correct? Hes the one that wrote the order. We were told the PSA would drop to 0 while on radiation and eligard, is that not always the case? Can explain nadir? Thanks

[Tall_Allen in reply to 4020jd]

It should drop to undetectable eventually, and hopefully will, but not now. Nadir means the lowest PSA you will reach.

[Hidden in reply to 4020jd]

Give it time. God bless

[Hidden]

I am surprised that “0” was used and not undetectable or <0.1. PSA or prostate-specific antigen, is a protein that now is known not to be prostate-specific; however, prostatic tissue does produces extremely high levels of PSA or the vast majority of PSA. There are other sources which are non-prostatic specific. Some sources of PSA outside of the prostate: salivary glands, pancreas, and adrenal glands. Very small numbers, but certainly enough to be over 0.0.

Did you know that PSA is found in women?

In 2003 after 25 sessions of IMRT, a type of external radiation, my RO told me that we would do a PSA test in three months. I asked why not now. The response was that cancer cells would be dying over the next 30-80 days. These cells release PSA and other waste into the blood stream as they die. The result would be an increase in PSA. And that my friend would likely make you very nervous.

Gourd Dancer

[j-o-h-n]

Greetings, you've come to the right place for help and information. We know your husband is 51 years old, would you tell us where your located? treatment center? and Doctor(s) names(s) and specialty? This info helps us help you. Thank You.

Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.

j-o-h-n Tuesday 02/19/2019 6:30 PM EST

[4020jd]

That gives me hope. Thank you all for that. The Dr.s probably said undetectable. My mind went to 0. We live in southern IN. UO said PSA unusual that it remained same. Usually PSA increases or decreases. But wasn't alarmed. Said we wait three more months for real numbers. I might had understood wrong, but thought the eligard was supposed to drop the PSA. I get that the RT may be ridding those suckers, but expected some type of change. Just anxious I guess. Going to try to ignore till May. Appreciate hearing from those in the trenches. Makes a difference. God Bless.