PSA Numbers

[PARKER3237]

Is the PSA number always dropping when in treatments? Mine was at 2.77 last month and now at 1.07.

[ulfhbg]

Hi !

Normally it drops yes which of course is a good sign that the actual treatment works.

So, a good sign and make sure to enjoy it 👍

[spencoid2]

although a successful treatment should result in lowering PS over time, there can be reverse directions changes as cancer cells die. this can happen with nuclear medicine, for example. it makes the waiting for PS to drop real fun.

[Mgtd]

Good sign! Just be aware it will drop UNTIL it does not.

[stangoldberg]

I had a prostatectomy 27 years ago (Gleason of 7).

My oncologist and I not only tracked my PSA but also my testosterone. The rationale was if testosterone feeds the cancer cells, and if testosterone is lowered by hormone treatments, everything should be managable if the two were in sync (lower testosterone with lower PSA.

If testosterone went down and PSA didn't, that was a sign that the cancer cells were getting their nutrients from other sources and that would be a concern since it might indicate that the hormone treatments weren't working.

Only twice in 27 years did the PSA rise when the testosterone didn't.

Since I was on (and still am) intermittant injections, it was a signal to begin injections again. Throughout the years my criteria for when to resume injections regardless of the relationship between PSA and testosterone intially was a PSA of 1.6. As I got older and saw that the PSA-Testorone relationship held, I went higher. Now in consultation with my oncologist it's 3.5, although he doesn't believe I need to be concerned about the development of bone tumors until it goes much higher.

So my advice is track the relationship between your PSA and testosterone levels and if your oncologist says that isn't necessary--I would look for another oncologist. Statistics rarely lie.

[Mike65g in reply to stangoldberg]

Never once since the original high psa test was testosterone level checked. Nor was it suggested when I had my second and third opinion following the biopsy. It was one of the questions I asked. The second opinion was from UW Cancer center one of the top ones. Advising or urging people to look for another oncologist over this is absurd. PSA levels are checked regularly and they are low u deko5uldyn4uk4yjrhm4uj4yheyfhmr .2 and steady.

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

stangoldberg's. writings:

Loving, Supporting, and Caring for the Cancer Patient.

Leaning into Sharp Points.

Lessons for the Living.

“I Have Cancer”.

Keep posting, we need you. Thanks.

Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.

j-o-h-n

[Mgtd in reply to stangoldberg]

Interesting at least from my prospective. I am starting to see a rise in PSA after radiation to the prostrate and pelvic area. Currently it is very very low e.g. 0.07 put it has been a steady rise from 0.00 over the last 12 to 15 months.

Currently my testosterone is back to my pre cancer diagnosis level of around 700. They stopped testing when it was over 500.

My MO and RO told me to expect my PSA to rise as my T returned and it has.

When I stopped ADT I really did not even need to test my T, I could actually feel the T coming back when off the ADT. There was such a dramatic difference in my body. This maybe because I have always been a jock and attuned to what my body was telling me.

My first question was at what PSA initially did you restart the ADT the first time?

My second question is has the time off of ADT been decreasing?

My third one is what T lowering meds are using during your “on” cycle?

Thanks