Prostate Cancer Survivors

 

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Re: Very slowly rising psa

Thanks Don.
the lowest my psa ever got down to 0.95 in 8/2015, ever since it has slowly risen to the current level of 2.95. Not enough to worry about at my age (close to 70). I have a psa test every 6 months
& have not had any treatment for PC since EBRT.
Bob

Re: Very slowly rising psa

Bob:
What I was attempting to get at is whether or not your PSA increase is gaining momentum. I suspect you are aware of the worrisome characteristic of a doubling time of less than one year.
Stay vigilant, keep us posted and best wishes Don O

Re: Very slowly rising psa

G'day Bob,
A little bit of info for you. Your current doubling time is 3.42 years based on your 2015 reading (0.95) and 2020 (2.54). Are you absolutely certain that the 2015 reading of 0.95 was your lowest ever post treatment reading, leaving aside the first 6 months following your last Lucrin injection? Usually the lowest PSA reading occurs in about 12 to 24 moths following ADT plus EBRT. Most unusual for your lowest reading (Nada) to occur 9 years following treatment.

Biochemical recurrence following EBRT, which I think we are both on the path to, occurs at 2.0 ng/ml plus your nada, which in your case would be 2.95. Given the amount of time we have both had post treatment (Rx), we have both done very well indeed. PCa will always come back, we just need to live long enough for that to happen. The longer it takes to return, the better the outcome usually.

So what to do? Terry and I whilst good mates did have differing perspectives on treating PCa, which is well documented on here, so no need to go into that all again. But the position that we now find ourselves in (you are a bit ahead of me Bob) gives rise to the need for some considered thought. What to do? Do I really want to know if it is back? Do I have any co-morbidity? And a three and a half year doubling time is hardly a tiger, more like a pussy cat.

Back then it was a easy decision to get treated for both of us, given our gleason scores and PSA levels. Simple choice really, get treated or die. Now over a decade later and with advancing years (I am also in my 70th year), treatment choices, if any, are a tad more complex. I understand where you are coming from re choosing to adopt Terry's strategy, whilst your doubling time and velocity remain static.I am not surprised re your bone scan result Bob. In all likelihood a recurrence in both of us, given the time post Rx, would most likely be localised.

When I reach the biochemical recurrence threshold, in about 5 years time at my current rate of increase, I do intend to confirm the tumor grading/staging. A bit academic I know, but hey that is me. At that time, if a localised recurrence, brachytherapy would probably be considered.

So there you go Bob, hopefully some useful info among the waffle.

John Bonneville

Re: Very slowly rising psa

Day John
My numbers are right, PSA went down very slowly, before slowly heading back up.

When my journey began information on PC was not so easy to find and doctors opinion was always right.One internet site gave me a 75% chance of cure with the treatment I chose.Quality of life after treatment was a major factor in deciding the type of treatment.

Having joined the PROSTATE CANCER AWARENESS GROUP (promoting awareness of pc in Adelaide)in 2018
I have noticed very little attention is paid to the side effects on the quality of life after treatment. The same can be said for treatment after the return of PC.

Bye for now & low psa to all Bob

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