Thoughts??

[Gulfrider]

I was diagnosed in November of 2021 and had a radical prostatectomy on 7 March 2022. However, my pathology showed positive margins. I have not had any other treatment since my surgery. My PSA has changed from undetectable to .04 in the year following my surgery. I have been having quarterly consults with my Doctor, and we are now trying to determine the way ahead. Any thoughts?

[Tall_Allen]

You should feel comfortable watching your PSA. It's only necessary to have salvage radiation if your PSA exceeds 0.1.

[allie2020]

I'm sure TA is right. Any chance there's a < sign before the .04? That would be nice. Just keep monitoring your uPSA and IMO, stay as healthy as possible with diet and exercise.

[Gulfrider in reply to allie2020]

Thanks for sharing allie2020. My PSA rose from <0.02 to 0.04 in just over a year after RP with no other intervention.

[Golferforever]

I had 3 years of undetectable PSA <.02 after RP. Then PSA rose to .03 and within a year .12. I started Salvage RT. 36 sessions plus Orgovyx for 6 months. After that PSA returned to <.02 where it remains 9 months after treatment. I monitor PSA every 3 months.

Only problem with SRT is more incontinence which RO says is typical. It’s improving with kegels and planks.

My PC was fully contained, negative margins and no lymph node or seminal vesicle involvement. PET scan clear. Gleason 4+3.

I thought I was cured after RP but the cancer cells are lurking.

Good luck on your journey.

[Gulfrider in reply to Golferforever]

Thanks for sharing. What is SRT??

[Hockeyforever in reply to Gulfrider]

Salvage RT

[Golferforever in reply to Gulfrider]

salvage rt.

My RP was in 10/2018.

[Hockeyforever]

After radical prostatectomy on 7 March 2022, did your pathology show cancer was specimen confined and not extend to circumferential margins?

[Gulfrider in reply to Hockeyforever]

Pathology shows positive margins and at least one lymph node affected

[Hockeyforever in reply to Gulfrider]

Ask Tall_Allen how long you should wait before your next PSA test.

[MikeyVilla]

Two years after RP, my PSA went from 0.01 to 0.07 in 15 months, a bit scary and they wanted to do Salvage Radiation. I said can we wait three more months, and I quit my job, started taking a few supplements and my PSA went down to 0.02. Could all be a coincidence of course, but I keep taking the supplements and I try to manage my stress (i needed to get another job for insurance reasons). I can't see any harm in trying to help our bodies out! . Realistically, it's either benign tissue that comes and goes in its activity, or it is a tiny cancer that my body is fighting pretty well. Fingers crossed as next PSA is due in June

Background - I had two tumors, one had broken into the margin and there was neural invasion, the other was a slow growing 6. Double nerve sparing, so for sure there should be benign tissue left behind.

[Gulfrider in reply to MikeyVilla]

very interesting MickeyVilla. I had a PSMA scan in January…neck to thigh and no visible cancer was detected. Can you share some of the supplements you’ve taken? Appreciate your input. Thanks

[MikeyVilla in reply to Gulfrider]

Nothing special on the suplements, I think all commonly recommended - but without formal statistical evidence they work: CO Q-10. Pomegranate Extract. Tart Cherry Extract. I do also take a men's one a day multi-vitamin, mostly to be sure to have enough trace metals - it's the normal thing with metals, if you have too little then it can cause problems, but above a certain amount brings no benefit.

[Gulfrider in reply to MikeyVilla]

awesome..thanks