Probable Reoccurence

Hello All - have not been posting on the forum for a few months but have kept up. For the past six months or so, I have been having my routine PSA tests and it appears my PSA is once again rising. It started at 0.1 a couple of months ago and latest PSA is 0.2. My urologist wants me to wait another three months to see if it goes up or stays at 0.2 then he said "we may want to consider radiation therapy".

I'm a little bummed about it given my pathology results after robotic surgery indicated cancer cells did not escape the capsule and my margins were clear.....really thought I had this thing conquered but apparently not. I'm not happy with the hospital complex my urologist goes with (Wellstar Medical in Marietta, GA) and have decided if I am to undergo RT I am going to go with Winship Cancer Centers which is a branch of Emory.

So a question - I feel like I'm treading water here just waiting for another PSA in three months which I'm pretty certain will be .2 or higher. I have researched radiation oncology doctors at Winship and wanted to know if you guys thought it would be imprudent of me to seek an appointment in order to lay out the whole saga of the past 2 years and see what he says......or do I just sit here until next PSA test and when my uro says we want to go to radiation break the news to him I'm going somewhere else other than the hospital he's affiliated with?

Diagnosed 12/15 after three PSA's of 7.4
Preop biopsy - 12 cores: 2=90% 1=35% 1=10% 1=30% 1=20% Remainder benign
All cores rated Gleason 6 (3+3) except 1 90% core which was Gleason 7 (4+3)
Post Op Path - Overall Gleason lowered to 7(3+4), gland 30 -40 % involved, one tumor confined to gland, cancer confined to gland, margins clean, 8 lymph nodes all clean, no seminal vessel invasion, no EXE.

Sorry - thought for sure I was getting the signature thing down.

I'd be layin' out the whole saga to the RO of my choice right now.

Here's one more vote for seeing an RO now. As part of the consult with the RO you can ask for another PSA sooner than the one your uro has ordered to help both you and the RO decide on further treatment. If your PSA is confirmed at 0.2 starting salvage radiation sooner than later is a good idea because the probability of successful treatment is better at lower PSA.
Jim

Forget about 0.2 as a benchmark. It is outmoded. You should be treated at the lowest possible PSA where the pattern is consistent. I think it's a great idea to talk to an RO right away.

Yes.you should be able to call the hospital where you had your surgery, ask for the “Slide Room” and tell them you need the surgical slides sent out. They’ll send you a form to sign, it’s easy. But first speak with the RO’s assistant, who will tell you what’s needed. Some RO’s only need the pathology report. It’s the major hospitals/Cancer Centers that more often want their own pathologists eyeballing the slides.

Good decision. Got similar advice from HW veterans and was able to start HT and SRT while psa was .14, six months after surgery. Just two more treatments, then the wait for testosterone to recover. To prepare for treatment, try to get as fit as you can and stay active — at least walking 3+ miles a day — as the people offering counsel above thankfully advised me — made the journey much more tolerable.

so in other words the guy that recommended surgery is recommending SRT at probably .3 or higher? my advice is to run from this guy and find someone who will treat you NOW. good luck man.

Thanks everyone for all the insight. Am anxiously awaiting call back from Emory RO.