PSA Rollercoaster Ride

petervdb · Posted: Fri Jun 17, 2005 12:29 pm Post subject: PSA Rollercoaster Ride

PSA 8/2003 = 1.24

PSA 10/2004 = 12.4 age 60

PSA 11/2004 = 15.7, Biopsy positive, Gleason 7, t2a

LRP 1/24/2005. Cancer confirmed and confined, 2 tumors, Gleason 5, cure
prognosis excellent.

PSA 4/24/2005 = 0.24

Scheduled EBRT to begin 5/31/2005.
Scheduled another PSA for 5/25.

PSA came back as <0.1
Nobody knows why.
Postponed EBRT.
Scheduled another PSA for 6/14.

PSA came back as 0.12

Not sure what to do and am all ears (and PSA)!
Of course I'll talk to my urologist and oncologist.

I'm concerned about not taking immediate action mostly because of my
2003/2004 PSA readings. IMHO an order of magnitude jump in one year
may indicate an aggressive PCa strain.

Anybody out there versed in PSA acceleration statistics and
indications?

I guess it boils down, in my stupid head, to three questions.

1) Does measurable recurrent PSA mean there are cancer cells remaining
(e.g. I still have cancer) or is it just that prostate cells are
present and may or may not be cancerous?

2) If the cancer is still there what are my risks for it spreading beyond the
prostate bed if I ?leave it alone? for a while?

3) Is my understanding correct that EBRT has a cure potential while
hormone therapy simply slows down the growth?

My point is that if it is relatively certain that I still have cancer (no matter
how little), if there is a cure potential, and a wait and see process decreases
that potential, then I will not hesitate to take the cure path unless the therapy
involved incurs higher risks than watchful waiting.
_________________
Pete Van Denburg

gonogo · Regular Joined: 18 Jun 2005 Posts: 25

1) Does measurable recurrent PSA mean there are cancer cells remaining
(e.g. I still have cancer) or is it just that prostate cells are
present and may or may not be cancerous?

You have biopsy stating you have cancer, you still have cancer.

2) If the cancer is still there what are my risks for it spreading beyond the
prostate bed if I ?leave it alone? for a while?

For a while? Well I don't think a Doc would touch that one. Its not going to go away by it self.

3) Is my understanding correct that EBRT has a cure potential while
hormone therapy simply slows down the growth?

EBRT may cure the cancer, hormone is just a delay treatment. I would say RP would my choice, but that is a decision only you can make.

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