Rising PSA after surgery
My husband had surgery 2 years ago followed by radiation with 1 hormone shot before radiation. His PSA continues to rise an d the oncologist seem to be waiting for it to get up to 1.0 right now it is 0.789 and has increased every three months since surgery. Anyone have any suggestions?
, I'm sorry to hear you're still dealing with a rising PSA after several treatments. I'm curious what the doctors see as the next step? While I can't advise on your husband's specific situation, I will share some thought on medications we've heard about: Many community members being on combinations of hormone therapies. There are many different types of hormone therapy, so perhaps they will try others?
I believe there are also immunotherapy options for metastatic PCa specifically.
Keep in touch with his next PSA, we are wishing you luck and I hope your docs are supportive too! - Nina, ProstateCancer.net Team
Sometimes you can get a radiation bounce with psa. Usually if you can get three psa tests consecutively very close you will establish a baseline number.
Any increase after that might signal something going on. I’m not a Doctor just a 16 year survivor that went through similar circumstances. The number below 1 is not a bad thing. Good luck!!Thanks for commenting,
- we're not medical professionals either, but that sounds similar to what I've heard. let us know what you hear! - Nina, ProstateCancer.net Team
Following my final external beam - # 40 - I met with my radiation oncologist to discuss what I might expect in the months ahead.
He explained that I had received a 6 month shot of Lupron prior to the radiation treatment. The purpose was to lower the PSA and to help the radiation be more effective He explained that it could take 18 to 24 months before it would be know if the radiation was effective.
He went on to say that it was during that crossover time period when the effects of the Lupron wear off and PSA levels can rise. He noted that the PSA level ideally should drop as the radiation takes effect and impacts the cancer's ability to reproduce. I am not an MD --- only repeating what i was told. As always it is best to bounce questions off the pros ... Dennis (prostatecancer.net) Moderator
Following my final external beam - # 40 - I met with my radiation oncologist to discuss what I might expect in the months ahead.
He explained that I had received a 6 month shot of Lupron prior to the radiation treatment. The purpose was to lower the PSA and to help the radiation be more effective He explained that it could take 18 to 24+ months before it would be know if the radiation was effective.
He went on to say that it was during that crossover time period when the effects of the Lupron wear off and PSA levels can rise. He noted that the PSA level ideally should drop as the radiation takes effect and impacts the cancer's ability to reproduce. I am not an MD --- only repeating what i was told. As always it is best to bounce questions off the pros ... Dennis (prostatecancer.net) Moderator
