Post Da Vinci Surgery Increase In Psa

I am 63 years old.I was diagnosed with early stage prostate cancer after my PSA reached 4.3.Biopsy revealed a Gleason score of 3+3.Pathology after surgery confirmed that the tumors were well confined with nothing at the margins.PSA test at 3 months was 0.03, but at 6 months had risen to 0.5.Bone,Prostacint and CAT scans have not shown anything, but another PSA test after another month showed it had risen to 0.6.A digital rectal exam shows no sign of anything in the prostate bed.Any thoughts on the cause and the course of action?

Charlie:

This is not the news you wanted to hear about that psa. A serial rise to a level of 0.6 at this point after surgery, apparently less than a year, is suspicious for manifestation of the disease. I believe that any further treatment would best be directed by an oncologist, especially if one who has experience in prostate cancer can be found. Your urologist is essentially out of the picture at this point.  

I assume that your doubling time now is more rapid than before surgery? Sufficient psa readings to enable you to determine reliable doubling time will assist in determining treatment options. Many men benefit from very low risk behaviors such as pomegranate and vitamin D supplementation, and diet changes. This is your choice and can be initiated at any time at nearly no cost.

Hello Charlie,

I am in a kind of similar position as you. I had surgery over four years ago: my initial PSA after surgery was 0.008.........three months after it was 0.03.........and after over four years our cancer clinic took over at 0.53.

I did have a positive margin after surgery.

I am currently on Lupron and Casodex with a tentative radiation date of August.

I fully agree with what Thoosier has said.

 Good luck....................Stan.