Latest PSA results on possible BCR

Well, I got my much awaited psa results this morning. Background: post open RP, 3 years .04 psa's, then in April an increase to .06, In Sept., an increase to .09, and now Jan ..........

.09, no increase! Relieved, yes, thankful, yes, a little scared of waiting for the other shoe to fall (the next test Feb. 2). Overall, a big relief and very grateful for that result. Now on to worrying about the next. If it is the same, then I think I will relax somewhat.

The Radiation Oncologist had predicted, using my doubling rate, , if this was a true BCR, a result in the .16 range this time. My GP told me he had 3 post surgery guys who all went up to around .2 and never any more increase. I didn't really buy that then, but I just might be willing to listen now... So, I'm not never saying never, but so far, so good.

If this next one stays the same, I'm gonna try out some of the recently discussed alternatives, such a Pom juice, maybe some Vit. D. or a complex all-in-one pill. (Turn from the dark side Luke, turn from the dark side) Seeing as it won't screw up my statistical history.

James,

I view this as more good than bad in that reading. After 3 years, you are still under that magic .1 mark, no matter how close. Definitely not in the class of nearly instant BCR like some have had to deal with.

Close monitoring seems to be in order, as you have been doing. Other life changes as you see fit.

Despite a 2nd .09, and knowing first hand the risk and odds involved in SRT, I wouldn't be eager to pull the trigger at this point. You have more reasons not to in my opinion. So slowly let your finger off the trigger, lol.

So glad you didnt get a big jump, I figure you would be in the .12 or above range on this last reading, glad to be wrong.

david in sc

David, I am still holding with the trigger point of the second .2 to start.

James,

Great news!  Your doctor talking about the patients that hit .2 and held is not as uncommon as we might think.  I know of another guy on yana.net doing the same thing.  He is has been holding at .2 for years.  Also, Epstein at Johns Hopkins says what your Dr. is seeing happens.  

“Even for the rare true organ-confined, Gleason score 6 (no pattern 4) tumor with supposed biochemical progression, some may be false-positive progression based on low post-radical prostatectomy prostate-specific antigen levels and minute tumors that seem highly improbable to progress.”

Full article.

http://prostatecancerinfolink.net/2009/09/22/surgical-outcomes-for-patients-with-organ-confined-gleason-6-prostate-cancer/

It makes it difficult for us G6 OC guys to decide when to have radiation if our PSA rise after treatment.  It may level off around .2 That is why I will wait until at least then if I have BCR.

James - congratulations and best wishes for a permanent plateau at 0.09!

I'm just back from picking up my three-year post-op result today and it was still <0.01. Not too shabby for a guy with microscopic positive margins! Now if I could just control daytime urinary leakage and a willy that doesn't respond, life would be sweet!

Roadracer

That's great news, James!!!

Always good to put things off, hopefully forever on this!

Mel

Yes James wonderful news. Hope you never see that .2. BB

Jim, sadly I have been on the M&M diet too long now. I find myself becoming diet-resistant, and actually gaining weight, my blood sugar and A1C levels are up. So I think I am gonna have to stop them for a time, to allow my metabolic clock to reset itself. Fortunately I have discovered the health value of peppermint, and have been supplementing and even replacing the M&M's in my diet with small candy canes left over from the Christmas three decorations. Seems to be working fine.

James,

Terrific news to start a New Year! Hope that your PSA stabilizes or trends downward. All the best....Tim

I will be keeping my fingers crossed for you. I had to give up sugar. Post prostate removal, I seem to keep failing a glucose tolerance test and blood sugar is going up as well. I guess I am going to learn how to become a mulit-task worrier (or come to the realization that worrying doesn't help anything).

This is great news and it certainly makes my day!

You must be so very happy!

Good for you James and hope is eternal for your possible cure. I don't want you to join the Twilight Zone club (LOL)....but you got a taste of it already...so you know what I'm sayin'. The not knowing is almost like suspended animation.

James, Great and encouraging news. Hope you've hit a plateau for good.