Post IMRT PSA Check

Hello,

I went for my 6 month PSA check today. This is my 3rd check since IMRT was completed in May 2023.
Prior to IMRT, I was at 4.31. They next 3 results were 2.12; 1.12 and today's 1.15. So I know its gone up 0.03 this time. I'm aware there are bumps along the way as explained by my medical team and it takes awhile to reach the nadir. It's only been 15 months. My NP-C knows I am a bit anxious. 7 years on AS should have prepped me for this as my PSA has always bounced up and down. If I were still on AS, I wouldn't even give a 0.03 increase a thought. Missing her call, she left a message stating that it's stable. She's ok with it. She's happy it didn't significantly jump. It's stable and this happens. We will recheck in 6 months. I knew all of this but I guess you always want it to drop some more in the post treatment world.

ejc - Hundredths are meaningless after RT, your old testing was actually more appropriate after RT IMO. As you know, the failure criteria is +2 (not 2.01) over nadir so you have to have some pretty large and sustained swings of PSA before anyone would be concerned. That same prostate that was giving you erratic readings previously should not be expected to behave after RT and just lie there. It is like those guys that got shot in the westerns and do backflips and rolls for a while before they die.

EJC, It’s my understanding that radiation messes with the PCa’s DNA making it unable to reproduce rather than killing it immediately. As the cells die off they can still express various amounts of PSA so the numbers can bounce around a little especially as they die off over time. Your drop looks good. For some guys it can actually go up a little before continuing the slow path down. If you look at my signature the ride down has been a little bouncy. It’s best to stay vigilant with your testing and always a good idea to stay with the same lab and avoid sexual stimulation, bike riding etc. a day or two before testing to avoid any influence on tests results. Best wishes…Terry

Post Edited (Terry's Cellar) : 8/31/2024 10:28:34 AM (GMT-4)

You're playing the long game now. Settle back, put the rear view mirror down, and enjoy the ride.