PSA going up

[PabloK]

So after being on lupron/zytiga for 2 years and having a PSA of <0.1, I stopped ADT last Feb. It took until about September for my testosterone to start to reappear.

My PSA went up to 0.1 in September so about the same time my testosterone came back. I just got my results back and it is up to 0.2.

I see my urologist Friday but he isn't the best so I'm reaching out for advice.

How worried should I be?

Also need recommendations for a doc in phoenix, AZ. we have a mayo here but I've heard they no longer take medicare?? I also understand there is a center in Goodyear

I appreciate any inputs

[treedown]

I am at a similar type and stage of treatment as you. I stopped ADT last Oct and my most recent PSA took a smaller bump than yours, but an increase none the less. My MO said that they would wait until .5 and than setup scans. Recurrence is determined by 2 above nadir or 3 consecutive increases in PSA. Are you get 30 day PSA tests?

[PabloK in reply to treedown]

I'm on a 3 month schedule now but I have been at ND for two years. that will change now, I would suspect.

Is it normal to bump up during an ADT vacation?

Thnx

[treedown in reply to PabloK]

You were off ADT a bit longer than me but my T came back quicker. They are watching for a trend now. You still have a prostate so there could be some PSA still, but if they suspect recurrence only a scan will show it. Right now we are in the void where we could still go either way, assuming there is a chance for a cure still or ever was.

[Tall_Allen]

Why are you worried? You expected PSA to go up as your testosterone returned, didn't you?

[JRPnSD in reply to Tall_Allen]

Is this because one assumes that in APC, there are always cancer cells present?

[Tall_Allen in reply to JRPnSD]

Yes, always.

[PabloK in reply to Tall_Allen]

So to clarify, if your PSA increases after radiation and ADT, it indicates that there are active cancer cells - as opposed to whatever is left of your prostate producing PSA?thnx

[Tall_Allen in reply to PabloK]

If you are talking about healthy prostate cells left behind, they very quickly stop producing detectable PSA.

[6357axbz]

Get an MO. I doubt Mayo stopped accepting Medicare. Call them to confirm.

[DesertDaisy]

We are in the Phoenix area and my husband goes to Mayo. They do accept Medicare. There is a Mayo Primary Care near us and they don't accept Medicare though.