PSA increase after 7 years:

Only time will tell...
Did you use the same lab?
All the best.

I agree retest for confirmation. Since your lab's sensitivity only goes down to .05 you can't know if there has been a slow increase over the past 7 years. But even if there has been, the long time may be a good sign even if your latest reading is confirmed.

Like you, I had several years of very low readings after surgery. Unlike you, my lab tested down to .01 so I was able to see there was a very slow increase in PSA readings. If increasing PSA is confirmed you will probably be heading into salvage radiation (SRT). And because we know more now than when I had my recurrence, you are in a position to have SRT sooner than I did, which may improve the odds of success.

In my case, the SRT eventually failed, but it bought me so far at least 7 additional years without further treatment. And as of my last visit with my medical oncologist, he was inclined to hold off on further treatment (ADT) for a while because I've had a history of such slow increase both after surgery and after SRT.

So, here's hoping your latest test was just a fluke. But even if not, you still have a good shot that SRT can be curative. And even failing that it may buy you quite a few more years before needing systemic treatment.

Jim

you are talking 100th of a point; well within the normal distribution of any measurement.

Just normal fluctuations because tests are imperfect. After 7 years and with your excellent path report, you'd have to show a clear pattern of marked progression before there is any cause for concern. By that, I mean several consecutive increases and an increase of .05 in a year.

Hello, I want to thank all of you for your advice and positive remarks. I appreciate it very much.

I went to PMH in Toronto on Friday to redo my PSA test just to confirm in my mind that it was .06 or a lab error. Later that evening I received an e mail confirming it was again .06

I pretty much expected this and as you all know it is a real kick in the balls. My frustration is also the lack of any previous PSA results so I have no idea when it actually started to rise or how fast it got to .06.

I am like a duck on a pond, on the surface appearing quite calm but under the water the feet going 100 mph. I have read so many articles on the prognosis with my pathology, time of PSA increase etc. and it appears PSA doubling time is a big factor. Unfortunately at this point I don't have any of this information.

My biggest fear is of course survival rate. I am in excellent physical condition, always weight trained, play ice hockey, swim etc. I am not a body builder but always tried to maintain muscle mass. I am 5 10 and 175 pounds. I also have a caring, loving wife who is 1/2 my age. My quality of life is as good as it could get.

I do fully realize how lucky I am to be in this situation compared to most and have the utmost respect for the courage and preservation of the members on here. However it doesn't reduce the effects of feeling like one is doomed.

I have an appointment with my urologist on November 1 to have him tell me my PSA is .06. He is a well know respected surgeon but unfortunately has so many patients that when he walks in the room to see me I get about 30 seconds of his time. I drive 4 hours to get to Toronto and I already know my PSA and am told I need to attend my appointments. I will attend this time as I will attempt to ask many questions.

I am also going to attempt to arrange an appointment with a medical oncologist specializing in prostate cancer. I am thinking I should hold off for a bit and see what the PSA does in the next few months. So I can get some idea of the rate of increase which may assist in making a decision.

I would again appreciate any comments, suggestions from the knowledgeable folks on this forum.

Cheers,

Jack.

I agree there is no reason to worry, yet. Of course, that doesn't mean we won't worry anyway, but there is no good reason to do so. For all you know, you have been .04 for most of these 7 years. If that is so, it took you seven long years to increase from .04 to .06. That is a minuscule change. Even if you were way lower than .04 all of these years, you are still dealing with a very slow increase. Considering your pathology, you should stop worrying about this for a while. So do that!

Hello, I just wanted to post and update on my psa increase. I had a retest scheduled for six months after my PSA of .06 I had my blood drawn on Thursday April 5 and got my PSA results online that evening. It was surprisingly <.05

I have an appointment with my doctor on May 9 to discuss this result. I will be interested to hear his take on what is going on. I am finally learning to take one day at a time and enjoy the moment, it is a process and does take time.

I am very pleased however and it is certainly moving in the right direction. I wish everyone on here all the best and good luck, one day at a time.

Any comments or opinions would be appreciated,

Cheers,

Mcloud

It sounds to me like you're getting pretty good healthcare. As far as PSA level going up and down, you can see in my history below that this has happened to me (though unfortunately for me, at a higher level than you). My docs (I've had few) have said this is not at all unusual. After all, everything else they measure in your blood varies in the same way. Sometimes it can be related to your level of hydration.