After surgery ongoing urology care

[doubletee2]

Here I am almost six years after successful prostate cryosurgery still seeing the surgeon every six months for DRE, PSA and urinalysis. My PSA's have been level around 0.3 over the entire time. It doesn't cost me anything out of pocket BTW.

Do I really need this level of care and vigilance? It seems very redundant as I have primary care from both Medicare and VA that also do the tests at alternating intervals.

What do you think?

[Cooolone]

My thoughts? Absent knowing your original diagnosis and pathology, prognosis, etc... Ehhhh...

You have cancer! You treated your cancer! And you want to explore the necessity of continued vigilance and effort to keep it from progressing to any point that may interfere with your OS or Life Expectancy, QOL?

Hmmmmmm, I'll answer by asking a question then. Why did you treat to begin with at all? You are fortunate and have had a good response, but what were your expectations when's deciding to treat? Didn't you accept the fact it might not work and there may be continued efforts to battle the disease? If the minimum you need to do now is just having follow up tests I would think that you would be rejoicing at that, rather than question it's necessity, lol.

But yes too, sure, you could stop it all and just eliminate the anxiety associated with the continued exams, tests, etc., as those do weigh heavy for some patients. Don't get me wrong... Bottom line is it's an individual decision in a situation like this.

Good Luck and Best Regards

[addicted2cycling in reply to Cooolone]

Cooolone wrote --- "My thoughts? Absent knowing your original diagnosis and pathology, prognosis, etc... Ehhhh... "

I see from FIRST POST >>>

" doubletee2•5 years ago•........

Hi, I was diagnosed in February 2015 after gradually increasing PSA warranted a biopsy. PSA of 4.9, Gleason 6 & 7 upper sectors. ... "

So 6 and 7 but no mention as to second opinion so who knows if it might have only been 6's AND if so it's not a big issue.

[Cooolone in reply to addicted2cycling]

???

[addicted2cycling in reply to Cooolone]

Just replying to your statement of >>> " My thoughts? Absent knowing your original diagnosis and pathology... "

In a post 5 years ago *he mentioned* "...PSA of 4.9, Gleason 6 & 7..."

[Cooolone in reply to addicted2cycling]

I don't look back at everyone's profile or check their posts from years ago, I rely on the post that contain all relevant information, especially because things always change and I don't want to assume anything... But thanks for the info.

[addicted2cycling in reply to Cooolone]

It's cool 😀 Thinking that a little bit of info about dx can be helpful when asking for advice

[Cooolone in reply to addicted2cycling]

Hahaha, usually yes, is why I asked. Just for a better picture of where the journey began

[doubletee2 in reply to Cooolone]

I am joyful and very grateful, it's just that I humbly think 4 PSA's, DRE's and associated labs per annum seem excessive in my case. I am extremely fortunate to have the level of healthcare that I do because I earned it through 40 years of military and government service. I don't want to stop all tests, just reduce by 50% which means stopping the urologist visits. If my future PSA's are elevated I will be referred to a urologist so no worries there. Thanks for your input. Excuse me for not providing enough information in my original post.

[1Ubspaine]

I am only 6 months out from treatment, but looking forward, I anticipate getting to a point where I check my PSA with a simple blood test every six months and wean off the other so often.

[j-o-h-n]

Cant' hurt.... doubling up on stuff........

Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.

j-o-h-n Sunday 12/12/2021 7:12 PM EST