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Post-treatment PSA test frequency?

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Posted 10/9/2017 7:41 PM (GMT 0)
I'm interested to know how frequently you were told to get PSA tests after surgery.

Presumably, this varies based on the surgical pathology report, with higher risk guys getting re-tests more frequently than low-risk guys.

As you can see below, my post-surgery pathology is G7 (4+3) with negative margins and no EPE.

Dr. Tewari told me to get PSA tests every 3 months for the first 5 years, after which he will reduce to every 6 months if my results are undetectable. Is that a typical protocol?

Gedman
Posted 10/9/2017 8:17 PM (GMT 0)
Somewhat common in higher risk cases. Six months is another common frequency.

Sounds like your doc wants more monitoring. It's just a blood test, so why not?

Andrew
Posted 10/9/2017 8:36 PM (GMT 0)
I was getting them every 4 months with my Lupron shots.

But with progression things change. I get them every 2 months now.
Posted 10/9/2017 10:14 PM (GMT 0)
My husband was every 3 months through the 1st 6 months. They were all undetectable so the doctor said he is now moving him to every 6 months. We have been getting our own ultra sensitive test through an online lab and we will continue to test every 3 months at least until the one year point, maybe longer...
Posted 10/9/2017 10:27 PM (GMT 0)
My first year was every 3 months. Year two was 6 months and have been yearly since. When I questioned yearly so soon, he said he'd be happy to take my money if that would make me feel better. I stuck with yearly. Will be 6 years this February and all good so far.

Tom
Posted 10/9/2017 11:54 PM (GMT 0)
^^ Same test frequency as Tom ^^
Posted 10/9/2017 11:55 PM (GMT 0)
To answer your question, first year, every three months, 5 years every six months, annually after that.

But I'm curious, your surgery was 4.5 years ago. Why is this an issue now?

Post Edited (nyc lawyer) : 10/9/2017 6:25:54 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 10/9/2017 11:58 PM (GMT 0)
Gedman, you know my story, but 'to answer your question, Tewari had me at every three months for the first year, then every six months for the second year. He told me at 18 months, that at the two year mark, another undetectable would spread me out to once a year.
But at the two year mark, I was detectable, now at .033 the last two tests, so now I'm back to every 3 months.
Posted 10/10/2017 12:01 AM (GMT 0)
I'm doing every six months and have been thinking of just incorporating PSA testing into my annual physical instead. I think whatever guys decide is partly a medical decision and partly a personal decision.
Posted 10/10/2017 12:04 AM (GMT 0)
I was every 3 months for the first year, then 6 months and then I moved. The guy I'm with now does every 6 months till 5 years out.
Posted 10/11/2017 3:06 AM (GMT 0)
It seems that my doc's protocol of every 3 months for the first 5 years is a rather aggressive/cautious approach. (It surely isn't a money-making scheme for him, since his office has never once submitted a claim to my insurance for the blood test.)

As nyc lawyer points out, I'm at 4.5 years - so I'll soon be shifting to a every-6-months frequency (assuming my next test is also undetectable).

Gedman
Posted 10/11/2017 1:00 PM (GMT 0)
I am still quarterly )after seven years) due to my risk factor at dx. My uro hasn't said when we might go to less frequent tests.
Posted 10/11/2017 4:03 PM (GMT 0)
That seems high, but your Doctor knows more than I. Right now, I would go with the testing program he is recommending.

Good luck!

Bob
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