PSA Rise

[Hillwalker87]

Hi everyone,

My dad had a PSA test last week and it has risen from 1.7 to 10. He has recently come off a month course of radiotherapy to his so although we're hoping it could be to bounce, think it would be prudent to monitor this. His nurse has responded to me this morning saying that the oncologist doesn't want to test his PSA until after his next consultation with her on 20/04/21. The question I have is if you see a rise in PSA, how often should this be checked thereafter to check for trends etc? Thanks in advance!

[fireandice123]

If it were me I'd want an appointment as soon as possible just to get an assessment of what's going on, After that, assuming a further treatment plan is in place, I would expect followup appointments about every month. Forcing you to wait almost a month for an appointment when the PSA has spiked seems to be a bit uncaring. Maybe the oncologist really needs some time to let things 'settle' before making an assessment but if that's the case they should say that to relieve some understandable anxiety.

[Hillwalker87 in reply to fireandice123]

Hi, thanks for your response. Those were my thoughts but not sure how these things are usually monitored. The response I received was pretty much 'wait until next consultation and we'll discuss it then.' But depending on what is advised on here, I'll ask my dad if he wants to either bring his appointment forward or formally request another test on the run up. I'm not sure what they are thinking with him having just finished radiotherapy but they're not the most transparent which I find a concern. I'm finding out more from his reports than what the oncologist mentions face to face

[Magnus1964]

This could be a PSA bounce but that's a big bounce. Have a test next week.

[Hillwalker87 in reply to Magnus1964]

Thank you, I will relay this to my Dad

[Hillwalker87 in reply to Magnus1964]

Sorry, should his result increase from this, how often should he look at having it tested?

[Magnus1964 in reply to Hillwalker87]

Look for three rises I a row. If the next PSA is up, have it checked again in three weeks.

[Hillwalker87 in reply to Magnus1964]

Brilliant, thanks for the advise!

[Hillwalker87]

Thanks for your concise response nalakrats! I will pass your response onto my dad. He may have to undermine the onc and get the PSA test done through his doctors. I think they're obligated to if he asks for one

[Hillwalker87]

He'll get more joy through his docs I think. Though it has to be said that it unnerves me his oncologist has refused one for a month. My parents say they've been getting the impression she doesn't really seem to care in his consultations throughout the past year.

[Hillwalker87]

I hear what you're saying. There is a bio on the hospital website and it looks as though her speciality is PCa. She does seem to have that 'it's the end of the line' attitude towards him, that's for sure. I daresay we'll need to have second opinions down the line but to be fair, we have had what we have asked for so far (aside from a PSA test.)

[Hillwalker87]

Hahaha. I'm UK based and it's NHS. You wouldn't be surprised if you lived here. Having said that, the Rosemere where he had his radiotherapy were brilliant so it'd be unfair to tar everybody with the same brush

[Hillwalker87]

I can understand why! It's despicable having someone dictate your life to you like they do just (presumably) to make their own lives easier!

[Tall_Allen]

Who requested a PSA test that soon after radiation? Radiation kills a lot of prostate cancer cells and releases PSA into thee serum. The standard is to wait 3 months before the first test.

[Hillwalker87 in reply to Tall_Allen]

Hi TA. He has one as standard a week before a shot of zoladex. That's good to know though, I will pass that on to him

[Justfor_]

My daughter is working in the UK and I know first hand that the NHS is nothing like 30 years ago when my brother was treated there. Sad but true.

[Hillwalker87 in reply to Justfor_]

I'm not surprised to hear this!