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PSA after salvage radiation therapy/lupron

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Posted 11/30/2018 2:08 PM (GMT -5)
My dad had his first checkup with his oncologist today after having the lupron shot and salvage radiation therapy. I believe he had one initial Lupron shot to see how he would tolerate it, then an additional 2 that lasted longer. I believe he received his last one in August. Radiation ended I believe in August as well. The doctor today said PSA isn't completely undetectable, but low enough that they don't assign it an exact value when under .013. Said the hormones will take about a year to get out of his system from the end of this last 6 month one. Then levels will be more accurate, but everything is looking really good right now. Does anyone have any experience with being at this point?
Posted 11/30/2018 2:23 PM (GMT -5)
While the lupron is still working, the PSA isn't all that meaningful regarding the SRT. Lupron keeps PSA low.

When his T-levels start rising, then you'll likely see a rise in PSA as the Lupron wears off. Once that is completed, then you'll know how much the SRT has lowered his PSA.

At this point, it's a waiting game - an annoying game.

At some point over the next months/years, his PSA should stabilize.

Andrew
Posted 11/30/2018 2:30 PM (GMT -5)
So if they rise does that mean the cancer is back somewhere else? It was just found in the fossa this last time, right at 5 years of being free of this nasty disease.
Posted 11/30/2018 2:57 PM (GMT -5)
not necessarily as SRT can take a long time to be effective, so a slight rise wouldn't be horrible - just an indication the that Lupron stopped. It comes down to how much, over what time period, etc.

What you're looking for is the PSA to stabilize. If get to a year or two after the end of lurpon/SRT and it's still rising, then he might have to go back on lupron.
Posted 11/30/2018 3:01 PM (GMT -5)
After salvage radiation you hope to see his PSA remain undetectable. Yes, if it rises significantly it means there is active cancer. He's young, so you'd be monitoring for tertiary therapy - which would depend on scans and PSA velocity.

Best to you - you know everyone here is hoping for enduring "<"

Wilderness
Posted 11/30/2018 3:11 PM (GMT -5)
Thanks so much. This is yet another new step for us and getting input from all of you is so very helpful! I try to read up as much as I can so that I can stay educated and on top of it all. I do know it was a good thing that it took 5 years for it to come back and that we were on top of it as soon as it came detectable. God bless all of you who fight any form of cancer! And thanks again for helping us to understand this!
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