New Guy On The Block

I'm not used to posting on a message board so bear with me.
I have been reading here for the last six months or so and have learned a lot from others posting. My specific lab data is listed below ,I hope lol.
As you can see my PSA was up and down with two treatments of CIPRO.
I have a very strong family HX of prostate ca on my fathers side with several dying from prostate ca,father,two uncles and cousins. After the biopsy my urologist suggested AS. I told him I was not comfortable with that taking my family history into account. Before I go any further I am not able to have a MRI biopsy because of some internal metal from a IPP. DNA testing showed a non aggressive ca. I suggested radiation therapy and he agreed with that. Fast forward and I have finished my 40 treatments of IGRT. Three weeks after treatment I had a follow up appointment with a PSA. My RO is happy as I have few problems except for a burning in my bladder, hesitant start to urine stream and some mucous loose BM. My concern is instead of my PSA going down it went up. Started RT at 2.4 ate the 3 week post RT it was 2.8. RO said congratulations in 20 years of practice I'm only the 4th patient to have his go up instead of down. I told her I was concerned and she said I would be fine since I was dealing with some prostitis before I started and may still have some. So now I'm just waiting for a six month repeat PSA and hopefully it goes down. Anyone else have this happen? Thank for reading my rambling post.
Mike.

Thanks Andrew,I'll press the signiture button and hopefully it will show up.

Hey Andrew, I'm 5 weeks from my last IGRT.
Mike

Hi RH. The thing that I understand about RT is that it typically doesn't so much kill the cells as it does alter the DNA of the cells to prevent their reproducing. Cancer cells are whiny butt babies, so they are more prone to being altered by the RT. Since they aren't actually dead, they will still be active and produce PSA until they try to reproduce. At that point, when the cancer cell tries to divide, it will then die. I believe what the Onc will be looking for in terms of your PSA activity is a relative stabization, then decrease over a few years.

The other hope is that the healthy cells will survive to some extent and reproduce. In that case, you may always have "some" PSA present, but on a much lower scale.

The RP guys who have SRT is a totally different kettle of fish. The Onc has a much more stringent expectation in terms of fast PSA reductions.

RoswellHog,

You made the right choice in deciding to be proactive and take care of your GS7. I completed 39 treatments (71 grays) of IGRT right after this past New Years day. I had ZERO problems and continue to have zero problems. Don't worry about the PSA increase, it will come down. And in the future you might have a rebound PSA which again doesn't mean anything. In fact studies show people that have PSA rebound actually have a slightly lower chance of recurrence.

Hang in there and I guarantee your next PSA will be down.

RoswellHog said...
br /> I have a very strong family HX of prostate ca on my fathers side with several dying from prostate ca,father,two uncles and cousins. After the biopsy my urologist suggested AS. I told him I was not comfortable with that taking my family history into account.
Mike.

Ros, Given your age and family history, I think that you were correct to have treatment. I am a major supporter of AS, but probably have done the same if I were in your shoes.