Prostate cancer but normal PSA?

[Sagewiz]

HI All. I had my first ever PSA at the age of 62 and it came in at over 26. I took a repeat and it came in at 25, then a week later I took another and it was 29.

I had a biopsy that came back positive (cancer in 11 of 12 samples) and even though both my CT and bone. However, they indicated that since the cancer covers the entire prostate the chance of it metastisizing beyond the confines was too great so they are treating me as though it is metastisized.

I am on Zytig and Prednisone, and they will do the HDR (temporary brachytherapy) after the external beam is complete.

However....

A month after my diagnosis and prior to any treatment, I modified my diet and started supplements and dropped my PSA by 30% from 29 to 20 just with diet and nutrition.

Yesterday, they did a follow-up 1-month blood panel and my PSA came back as 2.7!!!

This is after 2 months of diet an supplements, 1 month after my first hormone injection and 3 weeks of Zytiga.

Anyone have any experience with correlating a "normal" PSA with a positive cancer diagnosis? I am puzzled about the ramifications and implications.

thanks

[Gl448]

Your PSA dropped from 20 to 2.7 after a month of Lupron and 3 weeks on Zytigia? That’s not surprising to me.

For some of us there’s little correlation between the extent of our cancer, and our PSA blood readings. For me, my PSA never got over 1.1 despite extensive metastases throughout my pelvis and spine, lymph nodes and bladder, and of course the entire prostate and it’s various plumbing attachments.

PSA isn’t always a good indicator.

What was your Gleason score? Any other mentions of interest from the biopsy?

[Sagewiz in reply to Gl448]

Thanks for the info! My Gleason is 4+3=7. It seems like the drop in PSA takes me for stage 3 to stage 2C.

[Tall_Allen]

Your hormone therapy achieved exactly what it was supposed to. There is no mystery.

[Sagewiz in reply to Tall_Allen]

much appreciated.

[fireandice123]

I had the same thoughts when I started treatment. After a month on Zytiga and Lupron my PSA dropped from 58 to 2.8. A couple of months later my PSA dropped to undetectable. Since it was below the ‘normal’ PSA level I started wondering if I was cured. Afraid not. It doesn’t work that way. PSA level becomes less important once you’re diagnosed and the old threshold of 4 doesn’t apply. I’ve taken vacations from the ADT but my PSA starts comes back as soon as my T level recovers and scans show the cancer is active again.

It’s good news that you’re responding well to ADT though!

[Sagewiz in reply to fireandice123]

Thanks for the additional clarification! Good to know that the indicator now has to shift.

[Jewelrylady in reply to fireandice123]

If PSA level becomes less important once you’re diagnosed, why would it matter if your PSA starts coming back up?

[fireandice123]

What I meant but didn’t state clearly was that the ‘normal’ PSA threshold doesn’t apply after having treatment. Treatment that causes the PSA to fall below 3.5 or 4 doesn’t mean there is no longer PCa in the body and that there is a ‘cure’.

[Sagewiz in reply to fireandice123]

Thanks. I Did understand that and it made a great difference in my perception. I was encouraged that my diet and supplements took the PSA down 30% but it seems it is not the indicator I had thpught it was.

[j-o-h-n]

Ask a sage you might know "Prostate cancer but normal PSA?"

Good Luck, Good Health or Good Humor.

j-o-h-n Wednesday 10/11/2023 6:43 PM DST

[Oceankayaker]

my experience is similar that after two injections of degarelix and one month of zytiga PSA dropped from 89 to <0.1. I take supplements also to augment conventional treatments.

[Sagewiz]

Best of luck! I am taking BCQ, Modified Citrus Pectin and 5 Defenders mushroom caps along with my basic naturopathic protocol.