After Prostatectomy??

[Chuck67]

So I had a prostatectomy in 2021, I am now 57. Everything went back to normal....if you get my drift! I thought that this cancer diagnosis was behind me....it still is but I think something is looming ahead!! You see I have stuck religiously with 3 monthly PSA tests. When I first had my Prostatectomy my results after 3 months were 0.014 back in 2021. In the first year they stayed the same, the second year they went up a bit. In the last 12 months the 4 last results were 0.07, 0.08, 0.09 and a few days ago 0.14. My consultant has previously said that the standard is to do something at equivalent to or higher than 0.2. Judging on these figures I will be at that point in 3 or 6 months from now. Am I correct in this or am I just being hysterical!!?? 😆

[rsveeneman]

Hi Chuck, I am not expert, but I would test out your assumption with an urology expert. A second opinion seems in order. I too had a full prostatectomy, with numbers that had some flex, I was told not an indicator of reoccurrence. Best to you always, Bob

[JetBoy]

No, you're not being hysterical because you are concerned. The doubling rate is high and, frankly, after having an RP your PSA should be undetectable. I believe a PSA of .2 is the point when imaging can be useful. Anything lower than that number isn't guaranteed to be found even in a PSMA PET scan. (Not completely sure, but I think most doctors focus on the .5 level as the moment you can wait no longer for treatment)

But that's what I think you should be pushing for- imaging. You've got "chemical recurrence," and now you want to figure out where that cancer might be. (Cancer is all very treatable at this point, as often the recurrence is local) So you want to go to your urologist/oncologist and push for a PSMA PET scan.

[CPGeek]

Yes, you're slightly hysterical. Your results are undetectable after 3 years. I'm surprised your care team hasn't apprised you of this. Different labs will return slightly different numbers based on how sensitive their testing equipment is. That's where the variability lies. I'm a year ahead of you and at my last semi-annual consultation, we decided to cut back testing to annually with my regular check up, just like before. Still undetectable after all these years.

[DalTx]

I can understand your concern, I think many of us would feel the same in your situation. If you're going to a center of excellence, I belive it's going to be tested on the same equipment each time. Probably true if your always tested at the same office. Don't compare results from different offices. Try and stay positive because theres nothing to do until your PSA reaches .2 (pressty sure that is right). Avoid worry and stress, those negaively effect us. Best of luck to you.

[Tall_Allen]

I agree with your consultant.