HDR Brachytherapy and PSA numbers (what to expect)

[ocman]

I go back to the RO for my first 3 month check up in May 2020.

Is there a rule of thumb on what kind of drop in PSA to expect or look for?

peace

[Tall_Allen]

No predictions for individuals. It's just a long-term pattern you look for.

[curtisbirch]

Hi I dropped about 2.8 points on my first PSA reading 3 months after my 2nd HDR brachy monotherapy treatment. I was only at 5.3 PSA pre treatment — then I dropped to 2.5. Three months later, I dropped another .8 to 1.7. Six months later I went up to 2.7 then two months later down to 2.2. Three months after that, I was back up to 3.7. I will get my 20 month post treatment PSA reading end of March and I’m expecting another drop. This is what is known as a PSA bounce and it is unsettling even though it’s supposed to happen. I also know that everyone’s path post treatment is a little different in terms of how much the PSA drops each time as well as the highs and lows on the bounces. One thing everyone seems to agree on is the longer it takes for you to get to your nadir the better. This is the point which your RO is telling you that your PSA is at a place where it has finally hit a baseline. For some, I hear this can take four years, even more. Keep us posted.

[ocman in reply to curtisbirch]

Ok thanks...good luck on your 20 month post treatment reading!

[ocman]

I had the first of two sessions of HDR Brachytherapy (Monotherapy) on 2-7-2020 and my PSA was 3.4. I just had my PSA checked after 2 months and it's (0.8). I go back to UCLA for my 3 month follow up on May 18 and will get another PSA test. My highest PSA was 5.3 on 4-2019.