Psa on the rise

[Fight11]

I tried to go back and search some of my older post for this question. Been having trouble logging into my account had to pretty much start at square one. My husband has had two round of chemo. His psa before chemo was 34.5 it is now 66.4. Should we have seen a decline after two chemo infusion or could this be normal and just a flare. He did say he doesn’t seem to ache as much as he did before chemo. For any of you That have been on chemo how long did it take before you saw some decline in your PSA?

[tango65]

It just may be that the chemo is doing its job and killing cancer cells which are putting PSA in to the blood. If there is not any other evidence of progression and he is tolerating the chemo consult with your MO and see if continuing with chemo is the best option for him.

[CAMPSOUPS]

A couple months on Lupron brought my PSA down from 1621 to 204.

So I started chemo at about a PSA of 204 (probably a little lower).

My PSA went from 204 to 280 after the 2nd chemo infusion then started a downward trend.

That's anectodical of course. Just my experience.

It has been brought up here often that the initial "killing" of PC cells by chemo results in those dead cells being picked up in the PSA blood test.

The fact that his bone pain is better is an excellent sign.

I was just looking at my online records from late 2019/early 2020 when I started treatment and when my PSA went up during the first 2 infusions my ALK PHOS number (which was high in relation to my bone mets) went down.

I hope his treatment knocks down his PC enough to enjoy some more time with you/us.

As has been said as individuals our DNA is different between us as is or PC DNA. There are not guarantees that what works for one works for another. We just take it a step at a time and hope. (I'm not the first person to say this).

[DarkEnergy in reply to CAMPSOUPS]

" As has been said as individuals our DNA is different between us as is or PC DNA."

Exactly, the DNA of our Prostate Cancer cells are unique to each of us. I've been on this forum for a few years and have read the experiences are random. Meaning, no pattern from diagnosis, treatment and PSA.

Myself, diagnosed, 2 years ago: PSA 1000+ with scans depicting numerous tumors swarming the pelvic area. Then, in a few months with just a single shot of ADT, scans showed massive necrosis and PSA <0.02.

My recent visit with my Oncologist, was told that my primary tumor rapidly cloned itself, thus the massive necrosis, been off treatment for a year....

[CAMPSOUPS in reply to DarkEnergy]

That is really great news you have. Yes, I have nosed around, snooped around your bio and posts/replies since I got on HU.

Your response to TX in light of your high PSA, volume, DX has been very good and gave and continues to give me hope for good results.

You are one of the examples as to why I wanted to start Zytiga sooner than later. Your path matched up well with the eventual results of the PEACE-1 trial. But your turn around after just the first ADT shot is spectacular.

I Finally started Zytiga about 2 months ago which is about a year after my last chemo infusion. (wanted to start way sooner but it took a major PSA rise before offered).

Now at last as of a couple weeks ago I have a PSA of 2.4 vs. the 8 to 9 it was at for during a year after chemo.

Allow me a moment to vent: I thought it was crazy not to try to reduce my 8 to 9 PSA bounce. I could feel tumors festering in my leg bones and my right shoulder which was an issue at diagnosis. Those symptoms have now dissipated in relation to my Zytiga treatment. Word to wise anyone listening don't assume pain etc. is ADT related. Complain to your MO.

But as the subject of our conversation points to I cant look to others to identify what will happen with me. But none the less even though anecdotal combined with indications from trials hope for myself arrives (for lack of a better word). However you are pretty close to what we might have to call a one off case lol.

I still think I am pretty lucky. PSA 1621. Bone mets from skull to almost ankles. Lymph nodes from pelvis to collarbone and here I am in a month it will be 2 years hanging out. Or on ha. Hope to ride the Zytiga for a long time.

[DarkEnergy]

"Your path matched up well with the eventual results of the PEACE-1 trial"

I know, grateful to have a great relationship with my Dana Farber oncologist, from the start, we've established a team spirit, understood my knowledge (research) and aggressive stance to treatment. Can you imagine, I suggested Taxotere up front, my doc said, yes! - chemo up front is the idea, make the metastasis burden low. I've said here many times, chemo is not as bad of having cancer spread (metastasis) unabated!