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Billmac,
I can only speak from my own experience. I still have a significant amount of prostate tissue in me and my PSA was rising when I had the prostascint scan. The intent of the scan is to detect any PSA within the body. It detected nothing. That alone tells me that it does not work. You'd think that a test that costs $10,000 would be able to show what a $5 blood test detects. If the test shows nothing, then linking it (nothing) to an MRI will not help the diagnosis. My doctor has stopped using this test after it failed for me.
Mike,
I'd suggest you go for the radiation soon, if your docs think it appropriate. Studies show that radiation results are best when the PSA is still quite low. I had surgery in July 2007 and started radiation in October, I also had extracapsular penetration. Just google on prostate salvage radiation and you'll find good stuff to read. My radiation was 23 doses to a larger than prostate bed area, and then the final doses just to the bed. I think that sort of regimen is standard now. Of course you are stuck knowing that if the cancer has spread out of the area then this will not be curative. But at the low PSA level where you are there won't likely be any way to reasonably locate it. Hence you go with the statistical likelihoods and hope for the best. I also know that some docs will suggest you get hormone treatment along with the radiation, but I didn't and I do not think that is the standard. Keep yourself on good diet and exercise during the radiation, likely you will get through it easily enough. It went very easy for me and I have no significant after effects.
By any chance is pomegranite juice part of your diet? My case is very similar to yours. Had daVinci in January 25, 2008. PSA has been >0.1 since. My uro is currently doing a clinical trial with pomegranite juice on those that have a rising PSA. He said I was not a canididate for the trial because it was too soon after surgery and my PSA was stable. He said to have at least 8 oz per day, so I have done that since February.
Mike:
Go to the search function of this board to see the information using "swog 8794". There were two posts in March about this important trial. Or just use the term to find the full free study in JAMA.
