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Just got my first PSA results after Brachytherapy.

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Posted 9/2/2010 12:31 AM (GMT 0)
Today I received the news that my PSA is 0.12 this being three months after receiving the seeds. I have been assured that the first PSA results after the procedure are usually not extremely low but will drop lower with the next few PSA tests which will be taken in another 3 months and then 6 months periods. Hope that is correct and I really hope that the figure 0.12 is acceptably low for the first three months of the seed radiation. Can anyone assure me that the above is correct. Thanks.
Bob in Colorado
Posted 9/2/2010 12:39 AM (GMT 0)
Anything below 1 should be considered good.
JT
Posted 9/2/2010 12:42 AM (GMT 0)
Bob, that sounds great. Congrats. I've got my three month test coming up in 3 weeks. Hope I come in as low.
Posted 9/2/2010 12:49 AM (GMT 0)

erbob,  In another thread, Casey provided this link  http://www.auanet.org/content/GUidelines-and-quality-care/clinical-guidelines/main-reports/psa09.pdf  to a paper with very good info on PSA guidelines.  Scroll down to page 39 for some very interesting and surprising (to me anyway) info on PSA after Brachy.  I'm glad to see you have had a very good outcome.

Carlos

Posted 9/2/2010 1:01 AM (GMT 0)
Congratulation, sounds like a real good post-seed PSA report to me, hope it continues downward for you.
Posted 9/2/2010 1:21 AM (GMT 0)
carlos -- thanx for the info.  so how would the doc know if you are having a benign bounce or recurrence?

F8

Posted 9/2/2010 1:33 AM (GMT 0)

WOW erbob, nice number but where did you start from. Mine seems to drop in half every three months. Each of us is different and should expect different results, but I would be very pleased if I were you.

Posted 9/2/2010 2:35 AM (GMT 0)
Congratulations, Bob.

What a great start! yeah

Barry
Posted 9/2/2010 2:52 AM (GMT 0)
Wishing you all the best erbob - I am still learning what is what here - and that seems like a good result for starters ... here's to lower numbers and an upcoming membership in the zero club -
hugs
BRONSON
Posted 9/2/2010 3:05 AM (GMT 0)
Bob, not only is that "acceptably low" but it is excellent.  You should be very pleased!!!

Tudpock (Jim)

Posted 9/2/2010 3:08 AM (GMT 0)
Bob,

That is a great number if you are not on hormone therapy.

If you are on HT, or were on it to reduce the size of the prostate before the seed implant surgery, the number would be less meaningful. I don't know what to make of my own numbers. The medical oncologist seemed very pleased with the latest reading but my understanding is that it needs to go down to 0.02 or lower for a more favorable outcome. And even in that case I believe the subsequent rise after nadir is potentially more significant.

Sancarlos
Posted 9/2/2010 3:46 PM (GMT 0)
F8 your question:
carlos -- thanx for the info. so how would the doc know if you are having a benign bounce or recurrence?
F8

Here is the basic answer as I understand it, you monitor you psa's consistently, usually a bounce is a significant psa rise (like a radiation induced prostatitis is mentioned). This phenomena can happen 6 months out post radiation or maybe up to 2 years+ post radiation. (If bounce)This sudden psa rise is also followed by a siginificant psa decline right afterwards (somewhere with in those types of time frames). Thus psa history and monitoring it the key, if it doesn't drop somewhat soon afterwards, that is recurrence issues. If this were to happen 3-4 yrs.+- out most likely is recurrence.

 

Post Edited (zufus) : 9/2/2010 9:51:33 AM (GMT-6)

Posted 9/2/2010 4:14 PM (GMT 0)
Bob,

Looks like a great start....congratulations! Be sure to take a look at the link included by Carlos above. It's important for BT guys to understand the "bounce" effect about 18 months out (See pages 39 and 40). Regards,

Joe

Posted 9/2/2010 7:26 PM (GMT 0)
In a post above, Sancarlos said, "That is a great number if you are not on hormone therapy.
If you are on HT, or were on it to reduce the size of the prostate before the seed implant surgery, the number would be less meaningful."

His thoughts on this are certainly appreciated and I suddenly got more than a little concerned about the accuracy of the current PSA reading.
I just got back from the three month follow up visit with my Urology Doc (a prostate cancer surgeon for over 25 years) and furnished him with my PSA score of 0.12. He indicated that this figure is very good and was happy to see it. I asked him about the number not being quite as significant if Lupron were used to shrink the prostate before my brachytherapy. He checked my records and saw that I had the Lupron six months ago. Said that since it was a three month shot on a one time basis, that drug would be well out of my system now six months later so the 0.12 should certainly still stand. So, I felt much better after hearing his views.
Many thanks to all who sent their congratulations for my LOW PSA number. Now, I'll strive to keep it that low or lower. :-)
Posted 9/2/2010 7:47 PM (GMT 0)

erbob -- i will be on lupron for 9 months.  one of my docs says my psa will be accurate 9 months after my last 3-month shot but like you said you only had one shot.

F8 

Posted 9/2/2010 8:05 PM (GMT 0)

From what I've read, that is a great number. Congrats and may you have many more lower!

Mike

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