PSA QUESTION: BOUNCE OR RECURRENCE?

Did you have the test done at the same lab?

I vote for a retest. After and around Nadir, PSA can bounce a bit. You need to confirm the measurement. False results are possible and I wouldn't call it a occurrence until you see an upward trend over a number of tests. Also ADT will keep the PSA very low and changes the whole PSA measuring game. .5 would be great with just radiation treatments.

If it were me, I'd wait a couple of months and retest and talk to your doctor.

Andrew

Phil,
I believe the first low PSA was largely reflective of the Lupron, Proscar and Casodex. Over time, the effects wore off and your testosterone levels increased. I would have anticipated the increase in your PSA. The majority of patients will nadir 1-3 years after their radiation is complete but because of the testosterone suppression, you witnessed a very low PSA quickly.
Paul

But three consecutive rises at normal intervals (lets say your three month schedule).

For my uro (and insurance), you test at the same interval, so no accelerated tests up to monthly. Three months is what is considered.

I could get them, and freak out about results, but they would not change anything except my panic level.

Phil,
When your testosterone is low (13) you would expect your PSA to be very low. In fact, there is a good possibility that your PSA will never return to the .064 result. It is fantastic when radiation patients have PSAs less than 0.1. However, many never reach that number and nadir around 0.5 and often remain cancer free.
As long as ADT works, the results ideally will take the PSA close to zero. Surgery does as well as long as the PSA is confined to the prostate. Radiation may or may not reach those close to zero numbers. It is way too early for you to make any conclusions in regard to your treatment. I think your second number actually looks quite good. It would have been interesting to know your testosterone level when your second PSA was done.

Paul

PDL17,
So I can't use the .064 as my nadir? Am confused about what
point (how long) at which you determine your nadir.

Should have had my testosterone level determined when I had
the second PSA. I am starting to feel a tad bit more like I did
before the ADT, so it is most likely rising.

Thanks Paul,
Phil

Break60,

No, Mayo doesn't answer email questions. You have to phone
them.

We have a cancer center where I live. I go there. I would have
had the IGRT here but they weren't going to do any tests to see
if I had metastasis. Mayo had the new C-11 Choline Pet Scan
which detects prostate cancer anywhere in the body. Guys
were coming up to Mayo from all over to get the test.

Phil

An38,

Had my last 3 month Lupron shot on April 28, 2013. So it should
have been only good until July 28, '13. That makes it 6 months
since it should still be in my system.

So shouldn't my second PSA test on January 16, 2014 not be
effected by the Lupron?

Would one of the men who have studied PCa in depth
know approximately how long after the Lupron that a man's
PSA test would not be effected (6 months, a year, 2 years) ?

Thanks An,
Phil