Persistance Of Psa

Hi all,

 I am a 49 yo diagnosed with PC last spring confirmed by biopsy.

I had a robotic radical in July 07

My first post surg PSA in Sept. 07 was 1.4, I was put on Lupron and further diagnositics where performed including prostascint at MUSC (Med Univiersity of South Carolina), it was determined that there was no metastisis.

I commenced external beam radiation in November 07, completed first week of Jan, 08.

My first post radiation PSA in Feb, 08 was 0.1.

My latest PSA 3 months later is 1.0.

I am scheduled for another PSA in six weeks.

Does anyone have an experience with such persistance of PSA after both a radical and radiation?

Thanks much.  Scott 

Hi Scott,

I am 46 yo. I was diagnosed with prostate cancer at age 44. My PSA was at 96 and a biopsy shoed my cancer was stage 4, gleason 9.

After Di Vinci radical surgery my PSA was still 10. So I went on chemo. After the chemo my PSA was .1. It was working but to be sure I was put on Lupron. One injection every three months. For over a year my PSA stayed under control remaining below 1.

About six months ago my PSA started raising first to 1.5, a month later 2.6 so I was prescribed Casodex along with the Lupron. The first month it seemed to work lowering my psa to below 1. However my last blood test showed my PSA at 3.5. I see my Oncologist in June.

I am confused right along with you. I don't know if he will triple the dose of Casodex (which was mentioned) or what. I don't think I will have radiation because they don't know where to radiate.

My oncologist keeps telling me that they don't have a whole lot of dat for guys as young as us because Prostate Cancer is normally an older man's disease.

I wish you the best. At Least we are still here. Sex life is gone, but I'm still here.

God Bless,

Dave B.

Thanks alot for the reply Dave and very sorry to hear of your situation.

 Yes, we are both in a limbo of sorts, I can find almost nothing about studies after RP and then radiation.

 In your case why did they not radiate shortly after surgery.  Have they confirmed metastsis of the cancer elsewhere?

 Best to you.  Scott

Sorry forgot, and I am new on this board and see no way to edit a post.

We are going to repeat the PSA on Monday next week to rule out lab error, after all it is a difference of 0.1 to 1.0, not a stretch to believe that it is a notation error.

Scott

On 4/24/2008 gpgscott wrote:

Thanks alot for the reply Dave and very sorry to hear of your situation.

 Yes, we are both in a limbo of sorts, I can find almost nothing about studies after RP and then radiation.

 In your case why did they not radiate shortly after surgery.  Have they confirmed metastsis of the cancer elsewhere?

 Best to you.  Scott

Hi Scott,

Yes - there is confirmation of matastsis but they don't know where. Nothing could be found in bone scans, MRI.... all they know is it was in my lymph nodes and many nerves were lost.

I guess because they couldn't pinpoint where it was they couldn't be sure where to radiate.

I have asked my doctor so many questions and he always tries to give an accurate answer but it seems as though there are alot of unknowns still.

wish you the best,

Dave B.

Dave, don't wait until June, go and see him now.

Good luck,

K.D.