Cancer Returns

By jlocklear0651

1 min read

Long story short I had prostate surgery in 2007. Ten years later my PSA increased to .02 and I went through radiation treatment and hormone therapy in February 2018. I was tested in February of this year and my PSA was .02, in June it was .04. I was tested yesterday and my PSA was 1.3. Since June, I have had a whole-body bone scan, PET scan skull to mid-thigh, chest scan w/contrast, CT abdomen pelvis w/contrast, and nothing was found (Great news!).

Why is my PSA on the rise and nothing is found? I see an Oncologist next week. My concerns are he may recommend more hormone therapy or castration. Your thoughts or comments? I'm at a loss here.

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Dennis E. Golden Moderator & Contributor
Yes. You can have a rising PSA and also have a scan that does not show the presence of cancer. I was also diagnosed with an aggressive prostate cancer that has been treated with surgery and then LUPRON and radiation - so far so good but I take it one day at a time and may be facing what you are experiencing. So know you are not alone. Basically what happens is the cancer has not grown large enough to register on the standard scan and yet it is producing PSA. You will want to look up and ask your MD what he knows about PSMA PET scans using 18F-DCFPyL which were approved on May 27, 2021. Commercial production is underway and several PET scan facilities such as PET Imaging Institute of South Florida have been performing PSMA PET Scans for several weeks now. This new testing allows the scan to see in much grater detail what is going on and may allow your MD to try different kinds of targeted approaches and not just offer you hormone therapy. Dennis(ProstateCancer.net TEAM) 
1. jlocklear0651 Member
 <inline-mention username="Dennis Golden" user-id="3259730"/> Hi Dennis, thank for your input. I saw my oncologist today. we discussed several things that can be done to include the PSMA PET scan which finally arrived, but the insurance companies aren't approving it yet here in Texas. So I have elected to do Lupron again. At least it should lower my PSA. I don't like the wait and see aproach. Joe
2. Dennis E. Golden Moderator & Contributor
 <inline-mention username="jlocklear0651" user-id="3264210"/> Yes the Lupron should lower your PSA - -It is just the side effects ( and i think I had every one) can hit you hard physically and emotionally I am one of those who... when told NO ... politely begin to ask many questions and keep kicking things up the line - asking for written clarifications while trying to find who has the authority to help or make a decision. A call to a senator or governors office or a local patient advocacy group or to your local newspaper consumer advocate can sometimes do wonders. Often as you move up the chain of influence ... suddenly folks begin to appear who can help move the process along. Texas is a state where I suspect things can move along and for the better
Will Jones Moderator
<inline-mention username="jlocklear0651" user-id="3264210"/> I don't have an answer for you, but I hope that your oncologist and you can get to the bottom of it soon. Best wishes!
jlocklear0651 Member
thank you!
Guy Meredith Moderator & Contributor
 <inline-mention username="jlocklear0651" user-id="3264210"/> How old are you? Surgical castration is pretty passe, but if the alternative is long term ADT I'd want to ask the doctor the pros and cons. ADT may affect more of the endocrine system than surgical castration would. I've not seen any articles on this so it's a good question for the doctor. Guy B. Meredith, moderator. 
1. SamuelTaylor Community Admin
 Thank you for this update. It's good to hear that you're not experiencing body temperature side effects yet, but I'm sorry to hear about your pain. Please keep us posted on the results of that test and how you're doing. Our thoughts are always with you. -Samuel, Team Member 
2. Richard Faust Community Admin
 Hi <inline-mention username="jlocklear0651" user-id="3264210"/>. Injection site reactions can occur with Lupron (see: <a href='https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/lupron-depot#side-effects' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer ugc'>https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/lupron-depot#side-effects</a>). If you haven't already, you should make sure to let your doctor know about this. Do you know what test is being done to look for specific genetic biomarkers? I ask because there are now a number of assays out there. This article has a brief description of genes connected to inheritance: <a href='https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/condition/prostate-cancer/#inheritance' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer ugc'>https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/condition/prostate-cancer/#inheritance</a>. Please feel free, if you like to keep us posted on what is found and how you are doing. Best, Richard (ProstateCancer.net Team)
jayvomshvac Member
Has anyone taken the hormone Xandi along with Orgovyx? Ofgovyx has been keeping PSA at 0.11, urologist wants to add Xandi?
Dan Franke Moderator & Contributor
Hate that feeling when PSA wakes up again. Diagnosed 13 years ago, relapsed three times so far. My PSA level has been rising this last time since 2018. My current level is .26. Doc tells me its okay to stall treatment for a long time for me. In no rush to treat again. Had heart issues the last time. My PSA growth is like drivng 20 in a 55 zone-so so far so good. Like you no metastasis is visible yet. Thanks for sharing. DanF, moderator, <a href='https://prostatecancer.net' target='_blank'>ProstateCancer.net</a>. Good luck.
Dan Franke Moderator & Contributor
jlocklear0651. Right there with you. In the midst of my 3rd biochemical relapse. PSA rising since 2018. Never have been able to locate any signs of metatasis. Not complaining-think thats a good thing. Doc says too small to identify. So for me I just count it as a positive that it cant be located. My Oncologist says normal path would be to the spine, but who knows really? Keep our fingers crossed that we never really find it. Dan, moderator, <a href='https://prostatecancer.net' target='_blank'>ProstateCancer.net</a>.
jlocklear0651 Member
Hello everyone. last time I posted I think it a was about having received a Lupron shot. Well today I has a PSA test conducted. My results were great.down from 1.7 to 0.1. Oh how happy am I Thank you Jesus. I've been battiling the for 15 year in March. 
1. Richard Faust Community Admin
 Great to hear <inline-mention username="jlocklear0651" user-id="3264210"/>. Enjoy this for a while. Best, Richard (ProstateCancer.net Team)
2. SamuelTaylor Community Admin
 That's awesome to hear, <inline-mention username="jlocklear0651" user-id="3264210"/>. My best wishes to you always. -Samuel, Team Member
jlocklear0651 Member
Thank you!
Sue Franke Moderator & Contributor
That's wonderful news. Good reports are so welcome and encouraging to hear. Best wishes as you go forward.