After Radiation Therapy

[Roger2Dodger]

After radiation therapy, How long does it take for the PSA level to drop to an acceptable level,assuming that the radiation was successful in killing the cancer cells that were targeted.

The different types of radiation therapy don’t kill all of the cells in the prostate gland, so they’re not expected to cause the PSA to drop to an undetectable level. The remaining normal prostate cells will still make some PSA.

My Radiation was completed March 31. I will be getting a PSA reading April 15. Is this too soon for a PSA test? one would think the PSA level would drop some. Assuming the treatment was successful. But how much??

[telboy15]

I had a random PSA check back in August 2015 although I had no symptoms at all but wifey said to have a test. My PSA in August was 5 (the top end of normal for a man in his 70s, I was 74). Fingers up backside showed a small lump. Bio gave Gleason reading of 8 (quite high). CT, MRI and bone scans were clear. I Decided against radiotherapy because of time and distance involved for treatment. I opted for a radical prostatectomy by Da Vinci key hole surgery. Had that in Nov 2015. Since then PSA readings have been un-recordable at 0.1. I can't comment on RT. The main point is that we are all different and opt for different treatments. Stick to it, take the advice of the medics and try not to be TOO worried.

Terry

[eggraj8]

I had radiation therapy combined with ADT. The ADT kept PSA very low until 9 months after I stopped ADT and year and 9 months after final radiation treatment. Then the PSA started to rise and the cancer spread. I had Gleason 9 PC which was all over my prostate and since it is very aggressive it is probably different from yours.

As i understand it the first few PSA tests are meaningless except in establishing a baseline for you. Once you get that baseline you need to worry if the PSA starts to rise.

[Roger2Dodger in reply to eggraj8]

Thank you eggraj8,

I had no hormone Therapy. The first PSA would be a baseline for future tests, for the cancer that was treated.

I will not go for any more treatments regardless of what ever PSA readings I get. Just my opinion based on my experience with radiation.

I hope the best for you.

Roger

[Bazzasearle in reply to eggraj8]

What treatment do you have now? . My PSA six months after my last hormone therapy was 0.02. I had radiotherapy 3 years ago. My oncologist said he expected my PSA to rise to up to 2 but that would be ok. I am concerned that the The cancer will return but the oncologist thinks that unlikely.

[MelbourneDavid]

For PSA to reach its lowest level after radiation takes about two years, and with three monthly tests there's often a single reading which is higher than the previous one before the downward trend resumes. That single elevated reading is called a PSA bump and may be associated with cancer cells finally dying off from the radiation damage and releasing PSA as they die.

I didn't have radiation therapy and I'm not sure of the significance of the first few PSA readings. Sorry.

[BtheBear in reply to MelbourneDavid]

Radical prostatectomy 4 years ago, every looked good but then PSA crept up to .205. Just completed 7 weeks of radiation. They immediately tested PSA, which came back at .072. Lacking any good counseling, I was hoping for .000. Your post is the first thing I have found that clearly describes what I should have expected, so thank you. Can you point me to the source of your information so I can dig into it further?

[MelbourneDavid in reply to BtheBear]

The two years is here: cancer.org/cancer/prostate-...

I've more recently read that the 'bounce' might be due to radiation effects on the blood vessel in the prostate.

I've also talked with (online) and seen the PSA histories of a number of men after radiation.

[Desanthony]

I finished my radiotherapy on Jan 31st and am due a PSA middle of May for a follow up appointment with onc on 25 May. The nurse who made the appointment after seeing lead radiologist thought this was too early so who knows?

[Roger2Dodger]

I am getting mine 6 weeks after Radiation. I would say there is no definitive time to get one. Different Doctors, different opinions.

[whatsinaname in reply to Roger2Dodger]

I was recently told by my uro-oncologist that the optimum time to get a PSA done would be 6 months after radiation was completely finished.

[Chubby42]

I was told 6 weeks after your RT treatment finishes, my next PSA test is the 3rd May.

[Hidden]

No A. D. T. For you yet?

[040951]

I had 5 days intensive radiotherapy using fisudial markers 3 months after treatment my PSA was 0.4 this is a trial treatment I am ok at the minute but I have been through hell bowell and bladder probs but getting better the staff at Weston Park hospital were superb