Post Prostatectomy Treatment

By cheeny

1 min read

I'm 63 and had my prostate removed 1 and 1/2 years ago. It was definitely cancerous (14.6 score). Besides no sex, I'm feeling pretty good. Gleason score was about .35 after but has risen in small increments over a year 1/2 to 3.5.

The urologist did a biopsy and showed negative as well as a CAT scan (same). He calls critical and recommended me to an oncologist for shots and radiation. Asked so you think I might have cancer somewhere but not sure where it is? I'm not feeling bad and choose not to let treatment put me in that state just yet. Getting second opinions. Hope time is on my side and to all🤞

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Richard Faust Community Admin
Hi Cheeny. It is certainly understandable to have concerns about the rising PSA at this point after the prostatectomy. It is good that you are staying calm and looking at getting second opinions. Finding the actual location of the recurrence can make a huge difference in treatment. First, I want to share with you an article on what is called the PSMA test, which is the current gold standard on locating recurrent prostate cancer: <a href='https://prostatecancer.net/clinical/psma-imaging-scan' target='_blank'>https://prostatecancer.net/clinical/psma-imaging-scan</a> While this test has been available in Europe for a while, it was just recently approved in the U.S. In addition, I want to share with you this article on the Axumin test for recurrent PCa: <a href='https://prostatecancer.net/clinical/axumin-early-detection' target='_blank'>https://prostatecancer.net/clinical/axumin-early-detection</a> At higher PSA levels (like your 3.5) it has been just as effective at locating the cancer as the PSMA test. The doctors you see should be able to provide additional information and how these may apply to your situation. Wishing you the best and please feel free to keep us posted on how you are doing. Richard (ProstateCancer.net Team)
Guy Meredith Moderator & Contributor
It is easy to understand how you feel. In the earlier stages quality of life issues come from the treatment rather than the cancer and we take it on faith dealing with them is necessary to prevent worse. Prostate cancer doesn't give us an obvious nudge to let us know when it is time to do something. Do you have details? Are the shots hormone therapy / ADT? To use radiation the oncologist would need a target so I am curious about that as well. Going to the oncologist and others for more information will leave you less uncertain and maybe with a plan. I am personally big on second opinions and third opinions; I once avoided random castration via testicular cancer biopsy by getting a third opinion. Share your experience as you learn more--other men likely have the same questions.
martinwilson2 Member
I had my prostate out sept. 2020. Psa 6.8. Form 2.5 in 2019. My psa went from 6.8 to 5.5,3.3 (1 month each test) then 9.9. I tried to get an axium pet scan. Insurance wouldn’t pay for it $6,000-8,000. In stead the had bone and ct. at $5,000 each. And they could only tell me that my hip lymp node were suspicious? Eligard shot and zytiga for six months and see if radiation therapy is next. I guess I didn’t have to wait to see if it had spread. Side effects aren’t too bad. My first psa now was .07. 🤓Good luck🙏🏻
clark Member
I have been down the same path. I had an RP in 2012, and then a recurrence in 2017. I then did 33 days of radiation and Lupron (yuck). In the last 4 PSA tests which I do quarterly, I have gone from undectable to .04, .05, .06, to .07. Next checkup is in May. If it goes up again, I guess we are going to have that Talk again. Not sure what the next step would be but maybe a PSMA like Richard suggests, one of the other approaches to identifying where it might be, or more Lupron until that stops working. I have to say that I definitely emphatize with you. I know it is probably on your mind a lot, because it is definitely on mine. Keep the faith and be well!