PSA rising

[Chubby42]

Hi all

Just came back from hospital my PSA has risen from .01 to 1.0, I had my prostate removed on March 29 2016.

I forgot to mention to the oncologist that i have just gotten over the flu could that have made my PSA rise a little ? Or are there any other reasons it could rise apart from the obvious cancer.

Cheers

[Darryl Partner]

Have you asked your urologist about this?

[Chubby42 in reply to Darryl]

Hi Darryl

I haven't asked but wouldn't he just refer me back to the oncologist ?

Cheers

[cpcohen]

I think "The flu did it" is wishful thinking.

If your prostate was removed at the end of March, your PSA should be 0, now. I'm afraid that, if it's 1.0, you have a recurrence (that is, there's still tumor in your body).

. . . Did your post-surgical pathology report have "positive margins", or "negative margins" ?

Find out what your oncologist thinks, about when to start ADT and/or radiation.

. Charles

[Vitruviusman]

The FLU has No affect on PSA levels at all.

[Chubby42]

Hi guys thanks for the replies, I will be having another blood test in 4 to 5 weeks if it rises again the Oncologist said they will start radiotherapy, I was hoping for 3 to 5 yrs before it was going to come back 7 months is a real bummer.

[Dr_WHO]

Sorry to say, but it looks like they did not get all of the cancer. What were your values? There is growing evidence that stating hormonal and Salvaging radiation after surgery even if your PSA numbers are low may be a benefit. Since your numbers age going up you may want to discuss getting secondary treatment sooner than later.

My team was aggressive. Part of that was because I have a rare and agressive form of cancer. My values at the time of surgery were Stage 4 T3N1Mx Ductal, prostate was 74 grams. Had surgery April 2016 started Lupron June when my PSA was <0.1 and just finished two weeks ago 38 rounds of EBRT. For me the waiting game now begins. When/if my PSA becomes detectable or if the pick something up on CT/bone scans (Ductal dose no always raise the PSA) I will start Chemo.

[Chubby42]

Hi Dr Who i only know a few basic things like my Gleason score was 4+3 at the time of my op to remove my prostate. My PSA was about 7.5 at the time. If my PSA rises again in 4 weeks time then they will put me on radiotherapy straight away.

Cheers

[JoelT]

Basically, the lower the PSA at the time you have salvage therapy the better your chance of Stopping the beast. The rule of thumb is that if it reaches 1.0 you have lost your best shot at a very long term remission. I urge you not to wait for one more PSA but that you take IMMEDIATE action now.

Joel

[Chubby42]

Hi Joel I will try but as it is part of the National health service I can only do what they advise unless i pay for it myself which may prove to expensive and i don't want to leave my wife with no money.

I understand it just not sure I can do anything about it, any idea how much it would cost if i was to pay for it ?

Cheers

[Desanthony]

Not always so in my experience Chubby. Get in touch with your oncologist as soon as you can. I always research everything and everyone I meet with in the NHS ask questions they have probably never been asked by a patient before so the understand that I want to know everything and want the explanations they rarely give. If you keep asking and making appointments directly they will give you the time and help you have found you need. Go to them with the information and ask. If one refuses make an initial private appointment with another and get the information. This is what I have done and am Going to get the best treatment I can get - due to pre existing conditions this is a bit of a challenge and a consultant I got a private appointment with last week is about to start my treatment in the next few weeks. My situation is also different as I live in Wales where the NHS is devolved and we are discouraged from going outside our health care area for treatment - which I am also doing. It can work.

[Chubby42]

Hi Desanthony

The Oncologist said they will re-test me in 4 weeks time as it takes that long for your system to recycle its blood then if it risen again they will start radiotherapy so do you think if I call them I may get action sooner ? I will call tomorrow anyway i think as I now have a slight ache / pain around my prostate area.

Cheers

[Desanthony]

Hi,

Sorry been away and no internet access. Hope you are OK?

To be honest what your onc. has said sounds feasible but you are worried and have every right to be worried in the circumstances definitely contact the oncologist or his secretary again. Get in touch with your Macmillan nurse or key worker too or contact Macmillan cancer nurses - you can find their helpline number online and they are open weekdays from 9am until 8pm I believe but the online site will tell you that too the prostate cancer forum on the Macmillan cancer site also has an ask the expert e mail service which I have used and it is very good. They do say that you can wait up to 2 days for an answer but I never waited a whole day and Prostate cancer UK nurses on 0800 074 8383. They are open 9am to 6pm Monday to Friday and open until 8pm on Wednesdays. They also have an online forum and you can e mail them too again they say you can wait up to 2 days for an answer but I have always got an answer - by telephone rather than e mail because the nurse concerned realised I was very worried within a day. You could also contact your local cancer support group or a "Maggies" group if you have one locally I think they are brilliant as they have professionals in their centres everyday and you can get advice on everything from them from the actual disease to finance and housing.

I have no experience of what you have gone through or are going through but in view of what others have said I would check this out. Your PSA seems to be rising when it definitely shouldn't be and it seems to me that the sooner another treatment is started the better.

Keep in touch so we know how you are getting on.

Des.

[Desanthony]

Actually just realised that your reply did not come up in my notifications which is worrying as realising you posted this the same day I posted my first answer I should have seen the notification and your reply before I went away on Thursday? It has made me feel guilty for not answering sooner even though it is not my fault if I received no notification - typically a British thing!