I’m up to fraction 20, today, 8 to go. (YAY!)
I’m sure my RO will fill me in in upcoming appointments, but was wondering what I could expect in terms of monitoring results of my treatments afterwards. I’d imagine routine blood panels, monitoring PSA, but should I expect another PSMA PET scan at some point? A MRI?
Thanks in advance .
Very little monitoring is necessary. In 3 months (not before!), you will have your first PSA test, and testosterone. It will probably show nothing until you come off Orgovyx and your T rises. Then your PSA may come back up a bit before it sinks back down.
I learned to get my bloodwork done before my meeting so we would have something to talk about. I had PSA and T every 3 months for a year and then every 6 months, and then annually.
Thanks.
I was also scheduled for bloodwork (probably more related to the Orgovyx) shortly before I finish my sessions. I’ll have it before my oncologist appointment.
I heard (from someone here getting proton therapy for his PC) that I can expect my PSA to be higher during therapy - something about shedding? Was he right?
That's why the first PSA should be 3 months post treatment. It's meaningless before then. Dead cancer cells dump PSA into the serum.
Hmmm… just got blood panel today. Still have 2 RT sessions to go. PSA is at .25, down from 2.13 in January. Effect of Orgovyx, and maybe some of the radiation? Not taking it seriously until I hear what my Oncologist says.
Testosterone test still pending.
Everything else looks okey-dokey, except Lymphocyte and red blood count low, guessing from RT.
"...will probably show nothing until you come off Orgovyx ..."
Is it safe to stop ADT after EBRT? I did not get ADT until two years after IMRT, when it was found the cancer had re-grown in the prostate and spread to two nodes. I wish I had gotten and stayed on Orgovyx from the beginning, as it is very tolerable.
ADT in your case was not given to be curative, but only to prevent progression. If you are fine with continuing on Orgovyx, you have little reason to take a vacation.
In addition to what Tall Allen wrote, my RO schedules an MRI one year post RT (will be in April for me).
Do you also see a Radiation Oncologist? If so how often?
I live in GA and my RO is at UCLA, so we have done quarterly video calls to review blood work, any SE's, how I am and answer any questions. The annual call is to review results of MRI. All is well so far so assume we will go to semi annual on the calls until if and when things change.
Sorry I was thinking Medical Oncologist and typed Radiation Oncologist. I was curious if you are seeing a MO how they work together?
No, haven't really had a need yet for an MO as all appears contained. Hopefully it will stay that way!
Funny I am almost 21 years older then you and in some ways envy what you consider normal but for me is really out of my reach. Video conferencing would be such a huge stretch for me.
My son who is just slightly younger than you and he does that stuff and deals all over the world buying and selling heavy machinery.
Good luck with your journey.
psa and T test’s quarterly. Scan only if psa rises to between 1.0 and 2.0.
Hate to answer a question with another question but your bio doesn't say you have metastases, so I wonder, why you are on ADT? I had rad therapy and went 4 years before PSA rise showed metastases. Then I went on ADT.
At least some PSA history would help me to understand.
Are you asking me, or some other commentator?
If it’s me, my cancer has spread to the pelvic lymph nodes.
Okay I got that by reviewing your earlier questions. Anyway, just follow your PSA and oncologist recommendations.
Screening versus monitoring PSA test question.
HIFU After Failed EBRT
Body changes after EBRT and Lupron
PSMA PET 2 weeks after EBRT
