Rising Psa After Rp - Opinion On When To Start Rp

On 4/25/2008 wgekw wrote:

I am currently 49 and had RP 5 years ago this month.  Gleason 6 with positive margin.  PSA was <.1 until a little over a year ago.  Tests every three months have been .10, .11, .13,.13 and last week .14.  I am getting conflicting information from different doctors and radiologists on whether to start salvage radiation now or wait until the PSA hits .20. 

I do not want to have radiation unless I know I need it due to the potential side effects but also do not want to risk waiting too long and having some cancer relocate somewhere else in my body.  Wondering it the PSA rise could possibly be some benign prostate tissue left behind that is growing slightly.

Recovered well from the RP and have good erections and no incontinence so I am concerened that radiation will make those areas worse.  If anyone has some opinions please let me know.

Thanks