PSA tests after surgery

[PhillyProstate]

Hi I am wondering how frequently doctors test PSA after a man has had surgery.

[JLINSCHEID]

My doctor followed up with a PSA test 3 months following surgery.  It was undetectable; so he next followed up in 5 months.  It had spiked; and since then my oncologist is following up every 3 months.

[Darryl Partner in reply to JLINSCHEID]

sorry that your PSA has spiked.  Did your doctor suggest any change in treatment.  By the way, every three months is totally appropriate, but with a significant change in PSA, checking in every two months, so that you get three measurements instead of just two within six months, might be a strategy that you discuss with your doctor.

[JLINSCHEID in reply to Darryl]

The oncologist is watching both the rate of increase and the numbers.  She suggested that given my history, I should start Lupron when the PSA passes 1.0.  She has me scheduled for CT and bone scans in late May/early June.  I had scans a year ago when it first spiked and nothing showed up then.

[JoelT]

JLINSCHEID,

How high has your PSA gone post surgery?

Joel

[TonyLV]

Mine is tested every 3 months.