Increase in PSA Level 7 yrs post Operation

Hi guys. Am an aussie guy who had prostate cancer detected 8yrs ago when i was 46. I Underwent surgery and had the prostate removed. My biopsies pre operation gave me a gleason score of eight. My psa level had risen from 3 to 8 in 3months. It was shown that my prostate was 80% cancerous. Post surgery wasnt too bad some of the usual post op effects but having had some nerve sparing after about 2 yrs was able with the help of cialis and a cock ring began to obtain reasonable errections. This has improved with time i now only take cialis prob twice a week. After having what I had hoped was final PSA check in Dec 2011 my level came back slightly elevated. Readings post op had been <.04 i then had two sunsequent readings of .04 with a third just last week showing .05. My eurologists is one of canberras best if not the best. Looks like I will be reffered to an oncologist for evaluation and decision on next steps ie possible radiation therapy. Just wondering if anyone else out there has been in a similiar position and would like to know outcomes. i will keep you all posted as this journey unfolds as if nothing else it may be of value to any younger person contracting prostate cancer.....cheers.....Greg

On Jun 23, 2012 6:20 AM Greg.McRobe rts wrote:

Hi guys. Am an aussie guy who had prostate cancer detected 8yrs ago when i was 46. I Underwent surgery and had the prostate removed. My biopsies pre operation gave me a gleason score of eight. My psa level had risen from 3 to 8 in 3months. It was shown that my prostate was 80% cancerous. Post surgery wasnt too bad some of the usual post op effects but having had some nerve sparing after about 2 yrs was able with the help of cialis and a cock ring began to obtain reasonable errections. This has improved with time i now only take cialis prob twice a week. After having what I had hoped was final PSA check in Dec 2011 my level came back slightly elevated. Readings post op had been <.04 i then had two sunsequent readings of .04 with a third just last week showing .05. My eurologists is one of canberras best if not the best. Looks like I will be reffered to an oncologist for evaluation and decision on next steps ie possible radiation therapy. Just wondering if anyone else out there has been in a similiar position and would like to know outcomes. i will keep you all posted as this journey unfolds as if nothing else it may be of value to any younger person contracting prostate cancer.....cheers.....Greg

Greg good luck with it, hope it works out for you. But if it dosent, let us know .As a lot of us here use holistic  to control our cancer. It realy work, realy well for us. It  work for me and keep me alive for five years now I just know  Im beter now then I was back then just remember your not alone.  all the best Ray 

I had prostate cancer detected when I was 45 years old. I then had nerve sparing surgery. My Gleason score was 7, but I have not had a detectable psa since then.

After a psa rise they sometimes will recommend radiation after the surgery to the prostate bed. Sometimes they also include the abdominal area. Generally, this is “blind” radiation in that they do not know where the cancer is, but they are making a reasonable guess. They will usually do a bone scan to “prove” that the cancer has not moved to the bone. 

Have a discussion with your doctor about the side effects of the radiation. You have already had surgery and that has compromised your erectile function and urinary function to some degree; but offset by your young age which allowed you to bounce back.

Some doctors, using muti-parametic MRI are attempting to identify where the cancer actually is located and radiate just the location of the cancer, whether it is in the prostatic bed or the pelvic area or the lymph nodes. This approach is controversial and not recommended by all doctors.

If radiation is not in the cards, at some point they will recommend hormonal therapy, which comes with its own set of side effects.

You could try the holistic approach and see if it has the result of stabilizing or reducing your psa. I would not wait to long to begin if you wanted to go this route.

Please let us know how you do as that will be instructional and a benefit to the on line community.

Best of luck to you.

Gene

Hi gene,

thanks for your feedback. Hoping to hear from my eurologist on wed to find out next steps. It seems a little all unreal to me given that my levels are so low but my specialist has been amazing over the last 7 yrs so i do have a high degree of confidence in him. Will cerainly read over previous blogs on the site to have a look at some of the alternatives used. Many thanks for your advice and support will keep the site informed re my progress...cheers