PSA and testosterone post radiation

[EdinBmore]

Completed 25 IMRT (45 Gy) and brachtherapy "boost" (110Gy, 39 seeds) with ongoing Firmagon/Eligard (5 mos thus far. Btw, hate the hormones.)

Most recent PSA 0.1 and testosterone <3. Methinks both numbers are unreliable given continued hormone therapy but who knows?

Anyone out there with similar experience? Uro and radiation docs recommending continuing hormones for total of 1 year. Not sure I understand basis for this. Anyone?

Thanks for responding.

EdinBaltimore

[Tall_Allen]

No one is sure what duration of ADT is required with brachy boost, if any. There will be more info this year, I think. I don't understand why you doubt the reliability of your PSA and T levels - they reflect that the ADT is working.

[EdinBmore in reply to Tall_Allen]

Thanks. I'm glad you responded to the ADT plus boost part of my questions. Because I find the ADT so awful, I've been trying to find any literature that addresses the "optimal" duration of ADT when combined with IMRT and brachy. I'd like it to be OVER but I don't want to undermine any progress I've made (short term pain for long term gain, as it were). Thus far, I've found nothing convincing or conclusive. The NCCN guidelines provide for 1-3 years, depending upon diagnosis (Gleason, cores, PSA). All that I've found is that this "trifecta" approach seems to be yielding some "promising" results in terms of long term remission/"cure."

Re PSA and testosterone levels. As the radiation oncologist noted, the PSA and testosterone values are obviously being affected by the ADT - yes, indicting that it's working, no doubt - but could easily be masking the "true" values. For that reason, he said he wouldn't even consider them for at least 6 mos. On the other hand, the uro ordered the tests and he seems to think they provide useful information.

Thanks again for the prompt response.

Ed

[Tall_Allen in reply to EdinBmore]

It is useful - it's telling you the ADT is working.