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Posted 5/20/2011 12:11 PM (GMT 0)
1st post

I was diagnosed late september & had robotic last november.

post surgery Gleason 7 (3+4), no seminal or lymph node involvement, 2 seperate 1mm surface spots.

3 month psa .04

6 month psa .09

not great news at 6 months - seems like more than just a blip but still under .1

check-up with surgon next week - any thoughts what i can expect?

(subject added by site staff)

Post Edited By Moderator (Steve n Dallas) : 5/20/2011 6:21:34 AM (GMT-6)

Posted 5/20/2011 12:22 PM (GMT 0)

Welcome to the site and sorry you have to be here..

I'd guess that you can expect the surgeon to want to do another PSA test in a month or two.

Posted 5/20/2011 12:38 PM (GMT 0)

Thats what I was thinking.

Guess I left a few things out.

I am 53 yrs. & only had one psa prior to biopsy & diagnosis (6.7)

Due to my age I would hope to be agressive.

I would think any follow-up treatment should  be done if I go over .1 - is that more or less correct?

Should I be looking for a treatment center & Dr. for radiation now (I live in a rural area)?

Posted 5/20/2011 1:14 PM (GMT 0)
Welcome,

The norm in my area, was to have 3 consecutive readings above .10 to consider it reccurance. From looking at your numbers, it looks like you may be on that path. Be a good time for a referral to a good Radiation Oncologist to at least talk about your situation and the possibiliy of needing radiation in your future.

Good luck and keep us posted.

David in SC
Posted 5/20/2011 1:42 PM (GMT 0)
 

ejc

Best of luck. As I see it, you have work to do.  Independently obtain a consult with a medical oncologist that is an expert in prostate cancer. You can initiate this process now. Depending on your location it may require some travel, and the oncologist may want to review your pathology prior to your visit.  You can aslo follow the suggested path of your surgeon...but I would have my own second opinion in the mix.  Just out of complete curiosity what was your pre op pathology in terms of Gleason and number of positive cores. This is snooping on my part. Our age and numbers were similar and given your positive margins I was wondering about your cancer volume.

Hero

Posted 5/20/2011 1:46 PM (GMT 0)
I think you're getting good advice. It's better to start doing your research now for follow-up treatment and who could provide it, than to wait until you get higher PSA readings. Hopefully, you won't have to act on your research, but it's better to be prepared. Good luck.
Posted 5/20/2011 1:46 PM (GMT 0)
Hero,

Dont have the paperwork with me but as I recall it was a Gleason 6 & 2 of 12 cores @5%
Posted 5/20/2011 3:18 PM (GMT 0)
ejc:

You might want to meet with a good radiation oncologist to discuss the matter and get set up as a patient. Then when/if your PSA rises again, you can start radiation quickly.

Mel

Posted 5/20/2011 3:35 PM (GMT 0)
Mel,

I did call a (reasonably) close medical center that has a well respected cancer treatment center & learned
the procedure to be refered/accepted. I thought it would be best to have the info at hand at my follow-up
so they have it on file in case I need them to refer/transfer my case.

ejc
Posted 5/20/2011 3:54 PM (GMT 0)
If radiation is in your future, be sure to ask how old the linac (treatment machine) is that will be used to treat you...Try to be treated on as new a machine as possible as the newer equipment is far more accurate and hopefully more effective than some of the older stuff that's still in use in the outlying areas..
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