Rise in ALP level, PSA continues to ... - Advanced Prostate...

Advanced Prostate Cancer

22,369 members28,133 posts

Rise in ALP level, PSA continues to fall, what can it mean?

Cheerr profile image
12 Replies

My dad's ALP went down to 81 last month after 6 cycles of chemo. He then moved on to Lupron + Casodex.

After 1 month, its now risen from 81 to 121. He also has little pain on and off in his back and thighs from 4 days. He has stopped taking his painkiller since a month and doesn't need them yet.

His PSA level is 0.024 now (lowest so far). His blood levels like Haemoglobin have improved.

Our MO doesnt want to consider the ALP levels now, he wants to monitor PSA and Blood Levels only and any significant change in these numbers he will then shift to a more serious treatment.

Should we be concerned about the increase in ALP levels? Its been a month post chemo, could it be bone healing?

Written by
Cheerr profile image
Cheerr
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Read more about...
12 Replies
NurseRatched profile image
NurseRatched

My husband no longer expresses PSA. It was his complaints of pain + ALP rise that prompted the MO to do scans, which showed new tumor activity on his bones. Best of luck to your father.

Cheerr profile image
Cheerr in reply toNurseRatched

Thank you. I’m glad you rectified it in time and did not depend on just the PSA scores.

LearnAll profile image
LearnAll

Most likely ,his ALP is due to high bone turnover which is part of bone healing. PSA reflects quantity of live prostate cancer cells. And his PSA is only 0.024 which is very very low indicating that most cancer cells have died and can not produce PSA anymore.

His intial PSA was 149 which means his cancer cells were producing a lot of PSA and therefore he does not come under the heading of low PSA aggressive variant.

Your MO is right to ignore ALP at this time. I will check ALP every 4 weeks to see it will start falling again..very likely scenario.

The state of live cancer cells can best be assessed by checking PSA, ALP. Hemoglobin, Albumin and ALP. If most of these biomarkers are going in right direction except ALP then,

we are totally fine and just need to wait for falling ALP. Its called ALP flare phenomenon...rise of ALP sharply followed by spectacular fall.

Cheerr profile image
Cheerr in reply toLearnAll

Thank you for the detailed explanation. Learnt a lot. Yes I’ll monitor it and hope it’ll fall down soon. Will monitor all the parameters together.

Cheerr profile image
Cheerr in reply toLearnAll

Hi LearnAll,

The ALP is now fallen from 121 to 118

Seems like a small fall. But PSA is further declining. So I assume I can relax for now?

LearnAll profile image
LearnAll in reply toCheerr

Glad to know that two most important biomarkers are going in right direction....of course ...you can relax now.

We want to see ALP below 80 to declare victory. Also, keep an eye on HB%, Calcium level, Albumin. High protein diet along with plenty of vegetables and fruits can get the nutritional parameters in good range and boost immunity .

Best veggies include cruciferous veggies, tomatoes, Guava, sweet potato, Soursop,

and above all ..Ginger, Turmeric ,scallops and Garlic...all anti inflammatory and Anti Cancer. Good luck to your Dad.

Cheerr profile image
Cheerr in reply toLearnAll

Thank you, we recently started making a drink that consists of turmeric, pepper, garlic etc as a immunity booster .

LearnAll profile image
LearnAll in reply toCheerr

chronic inflammation initiates and promotes prostate cancer. Therefore, plant based diets ,herbs and roots are beneficial because they reduce inflammation. Also, have anti oxidant,immune boosting and anti cancer effect.

Black Pepper incrases bioavailabilty of turmeric (curcumin) multifold.

Tall_Allen profile image
Tall_Allen

ALP may just showing some mild liver toxicity from the chemo (ALP comes from the liver and bone primarily). You might want to ask for bone-specific ALP.

Cheerr profile image
Cheerr in reply toTall_Allen

Thanks. Yes I want to do a bone specific ALP. Although the doctors never suggest it, maybe the next time I’ll get it done for peace of mind.

michael00 profile image
michael00

My ALP went from 782 to 109. Then it started to rise to 169. Got me concerned but MO wasn't excited about it while PSA still dropped. Happy to say it now came back down to 128. It was said to me it can fluctuate with rate of bone healing

Cheerr profile image
Cheerr in reply tomichael00

Thank you for sharing. This is exactly what I though might be happening. So yes bone healing is good. Congo on the drop in alp finally.

Not what you're looking for?

You may also like...

PSA rising while ALP continues to drop?

Hi, Is it possible to have PSA rising during Chemo while ALP keeps dropping? And what could be the...
hzang2027 profile image

Reaching Castrate Resistance? Increase in PSA,ALP.

My dad completed chemo in Jan and was on Lupron + Casodex for next 3 months till April. It’s been...
Cheerr profile image

Chemo v/s Zytiga ?

Dad is currently only on ADT - Firmagon. Since his PSA is almost 0 and blood work has improved,...
Cheerr profile image

Told to discontinue Casodex (Bicalutamide)

My dad was put on Casodex for 3 months immediately post-chemo. So he was on Lupride + Casodex....
Cheerr profile image

Slight rise in psa - is it normal

Hello everyone. We got what i think is good news this past week at my father’s oncologist...
Stumpgirl profile image

Moderation team

Bethishere profile image
BethishereAdministrator
Number6 profile image
Number6Administrator
Darryl profile image
DarrylPartner

Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.

Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.