A Strange Case?

By RevDen

1 min read

Prostate cancer strange case

I went 10 years post RP before a slight rise. Now, I am 23 years post-op. My PSA seems to double every 3+ years and my current total is 1.3; I am 72 years old. The way that I understand it, I'll never live long enough to worry about prostate cancer. I continue reading this website to learn and help others.

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Sue Franke Moderator & Contributor
My husband is in a similar situation. He's 14 years past a radical protatectomy followed by several years of chemo. During the last two years his psa has been rising, almost doubling every three months, but the doctors still tell him that because the psa continues to be low, like you, prostate cancer is not life threatening. Here's to a good long life for both of you.
RevDen Member
Thank you Sue. I pray the same for him.
Dennis E. Golden Moderator & Contributor
<inline-mention username="RevDen" user-id="4558740"/> ... I was diagnosed at age 70 and after surgery PSA was 0.02 Then 5 years later it came back and I underwent radiation when it reached 0.13. I am age 79 now and amazed I am still here especially after a run in with non-Hodgkins Lymphoma and a serious case of Covid pneumonia. !!! YIKES !!! I will say there is quite a difference in a regular PSA reading of 1.3 vs a post-op reading of 0.13. Do you know if you are getting a standard PSA test or a post-op Test.?? Dennis(ProstateCancer.net TEAM)
1. Sue Franke Moderator & Contributor
 <inline-mention username="Dennis Golden" user-id="3259730"/> Sounds to me like you're a fighter! Recurring prostate cancer, non-Hodgkins lymphoma, Covid pneumonia. You have quite a story but you've fought it all and share what you've learned to help others. I think that's how we can take some of those "bad" things that happen to us and use them for some kind of good. Keep staying well and keep sharing.
RevDen Member
Hi Dennis, I don't know the difference between the two PSA tests.
Jim Early Moderator & Contributor
<inline-mention username="RevDen" user-id="4558740"/> I would agree to an extent. 20 years after my prostatectomy my PSA started to rise, doubling every 2 years. When it reached 0.41, without any symptoms, I got a PSMA done to see if we could identify any area of recurrence. The scan revealed a hole nearly the size of a dime in my S2 vertebra (just above the tailbone). I had this met irradiated because if it kept growing it could have destabilized my pelvis! Having said this, I think it might make sense to ask your doctor if a PSMA might be of interest. If there are no significant areas of cancer then continue on your merry way. But if they would find a significant or important metastasis that could be treated, it would help assure your outliving this disease!
1. Richard Faust Community Admin
 Thanks for writing what I was thinking <inline-mention username="Jim Early" user-id="4566171"/>. <inline-mention username="RevDen" user-id="4558740"/>, if nothing else, the PSMA might help provide additional peace of mind. At a PSA of 1.3 you are a prime candidate for the PSMA to pick up any areas of recurrence (see: <a href='https://prostatecancer.net/clinical/psma-imaging-scan' target='_blank'>https://prostatecancer.net/clinical/psma-imaging-scan</a>). Of course, your doctor can provide additional guidance. Wishing you the best. Richard (ProstateCancer.net Team)
2. Jim Early Moderator & Contributor
 <inline-mention username="Richard Faust" user-id="3268931"/> Thank you for backing me up on this. It just seems a shame to allow this disease to sneak its way back into our good health when we have such good techniques to keep a better eye on it.