Intro

[Passportman]

Good day! I’m 62, male living in South Carolina. Was diagnosed with Prostate Cancer (PC) last year. Had a Radical Prostatectomy with clear margins, and for a year have had PSA tests less than the 0.1 level. Most recent test jumped from 0.047 to 0.075 concerning me that the surgery was not fully successful. Joined to increase my knowledge about PC and treatments to be a better advocate for myself and hopefully share my experiences and knowledge with others. God Bless and good health to my brothers fighting the Cancer!

[Tall_Allen]

3 clinical trials have proven that it is safe to wait for biochemical recurrence before beginning salvage radiation.

[RJAMSG in reply to Tall_Allen]

Hello Tall, I always appreciate your input, do you have links to those studies? Also, doesn’t it give the cancer time to spread from the prostate bed area to other locations and metastasize?

[Tall_Allen in reply to RJAMSG]

"Also, doesn’t it give the cancer time to spread from the prostate bed area to other locations and metastasize?"

Apparently not for almost all men in that situation:

prostatecancer.news/2019/09...

There are a few situations where earlier radiation is beneficial, but not for most. And many men never need salvage radiation:

prostatecancer.news/2021/10...

[Grandpa4 in reply to Tall_Allen]

just saw an article where outcomes were worse when PSA was above 0.25 when radiation was started.

cancernetwork.com/view/psa-...

[RJAMSG in reply to Tall_Allen]

I’m curious if Decipher Score changes the variable as to whether or not to start early salvage. One Urologist recommended adjuvant for me (42-months ago) and a couple others said to wait including a pathologist at Hopkins Jonathan Epstein so I decided to wait and heal and follow PSA closely. I get tested every 4 months now, up a little from every 3 months. Thanks for any information on that.

[Echotango51]

Hi Passportman,

I live in SC also, had surgery 12/2913. My PSA never got any lower then 0.07, negative margin. I had a biochemical recurrence 6 months later, PSA 0.2. Hopefully you will have some time before BCR. Good luck

[dhccpa in reply to Echotango51]

What indicated your biochemical recurrence? PSA rose or scan results? I get confused on that term. Thanks.

[Echotango51 in reply to dhccpa]

PSA rose to 0.2. My uro told me that was considered a BCR and sent me to talk with a radiologist oncologist.

[Echotango51 in reply to Echotango51]

PSA rose no scans, scans will not pick up at a PSA of .2

[Fightinghard]

Still very low. Enjoy. try to remain calm. One test can not show a trend. Normally need to have 3 consecutive increases in PSA to indicate a concern.

I would ask your dr to schedule a repeat test monthly for awhile. Also be sure the test samples are being processed by the same lab.

[Hidden]

Hard decision when to do it. I had RP, and 4 years later .2 then .4 at 3 months later.

Found a hot lymph node.

[j-o-h-n]

Greetings........ Take deep breaths...... again........ again.......... again........and again. Ok now relax and Keep posting here and ask questions..... Get a good Medical Oncologist (M O) and take one day at a time. You'll be around for a very long time.... long enough to be a pain in the ass with your grandkids..... Try to laugh,,,,,,,If you don't you get fined here.....

Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.

j-o-h-n Tuesday 04/25/2023 11:11 PM DST

[dhccpa in reply to j-o-h-n]

Should he provide the usual relevant information?

[j-o-h-n in reply to dhccpa]

My Bad..... my post was intended for User/Member "Terminal"...... Sorry but my hair got in front of my eyes.............

Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.

j-o-h-n Wednesday 04/26/2023 11:29 AM DST

[jackcop in reply to j-o-h-n]

😆

[j-o-h-n in reply to jackcop]

gotcha..... now call me when you hit the jackpot....................regards.

Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.

j-o-h-n Wednesday 04/26/2023 5:39 PM DST

[Kaliber in reply to j-o-h-n]

yayahahahaya 😁😁😁

[MNFarmBoy]

If my PSA rises above the limit of detection, I plan to make a list of the best candidates for radiation oncologists and radiation treatment facilities; and also initiate genomic testing of tumor samples, so that upon PSA increasing to 0.1-0.2 ng/ml, I will be in position to finalize treatment plans and pull the trigger on salvage radiation treatment. I wouldn't want to have to rush through that selection process.

Best wishes!

[Hidden]

Hi, Passportman and Echotango. I too am from S. C.Spartanburg to be more precise.

My prostate cancer has been dormant" since dx in September 2021, but has now become castration resistant.

In addition, I was diagnosed with invasive bladder cancer a few weeks ago. Now both need chemo at same time but that's not possible.

I have been very happy with the folks at Gibbs Cancer Center here, but have now set up appointment with Dr. Daniel George at Duke Cancer Center.

[OldGuysRule in reply to Hidden]

Hi TreeDLeader, I live in the Greenville SC area and receive care at Gibbs Cancer Center at Pelham. I have been seeing Dr. Adidaran for about 8 months now and have been happy thus far. I’m sorry to hear about your bladder problems and the castration resistance. How long had you been on ADT before that occurred?

I am 62 years old, first diagnosed for PCa at age 54 and then diagnosed for stage 4 metastatic about 10 months ago.

[Hidden in reply to OldGuysRule]

I have Dr. Adediran also, and have been perfectly happy with him. He takes a lot of time to cover anything I need to know. Have also been evaluated/treated by Dr. Monitto for one targeted radiation to L3. He is great also. I was diagnosed in September 2021 at age 77 (I am now 79).. Began Lupron, Zytiga and Prednisone early November. PSA dropped from 15 to . 04 and remained in that area until March of this year, when it started doubling quickly, now 2.0.

I reached out to Duke because at this stage I want the very latest and best options available. So I'm not sure what treatment is next.

[OldGuysRule in reply to Hidden]

please keep me and all of us posted on your progress at Duke. I’m very interested to hear how things go for you. Thanks!

[ron_bucher]

You're relatively young, and few if any studies have covered guys for 15+ years. I got 7.5 years of undetectable PSA from my salvage radiation with very minimal side effects. If you think you might need it at some point, the sooner you get it the better chance you have of a long remission.

[jmarsh]

I'm 57 now and in NC and being treated at Duke. Similar situation. Rad prostatectomy in 12/21. Clear margins, extended lymph node dissections clear. PSA never went to zero and began to rise. PSMA PET scan showed some lymph nodes affected. Started Lupron and Abiraterone + Prednisone in 6/22. Did 33 whole pelvic radiations last summer. So far, so good. PSA is undetectable. Radiation wasn't that hard, by the way. I never missed a day of work and had very minimal urinary/bowel side effects. The future is bright - even if i have to stay on ADT beyond the prescribed 2 years (but of course, even better if i can stop)

[chefjlu]

Diagnosed in July 2018 Gleason 9, RP in February 2019 - 1 lymph node removed showed some cancer activity, no further treatment just monitoring (PSA undetectable) until PSA showed a slight rise in November 2021, PSMA in January 2022 showed one spot in the same area as the lymph node that was active and removed, started Abiraterone & Orgovyx (ineffective for me at 6 weeks) / Firmagon for 1 month / now Lupron 6 month shot and radiation treatment in May & June 2022. Plan is Abiraterone for 1 more year - since radiation PSA undetectable. No real issues w/any treatment.

[HopingForTheBest1]

Find out about getting genetic testing. It will help determine future course of treatment.