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Brachytherapy – 6 Month PSA result

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Posted 8/15/2011 10:41 AM (GMT 0)

Pre implant    11
3 months       3.83
6 months       3.18

darn it, was hoping for a much lower reading at 6 months.

GP says fine as falls within the ‘normal’ range for Jeff’s age group (which here in the UK is under 4) but after such a huge drop at 3 months from 11 to 3.83, I was expecting it to be lower (or am I expecting too much?).

As the radiation dies off completely between 6 and 9 months does that mean that the PSA won’t reduce any further, or does the treatment still continue doing its bit?

Jeff has his 6 month follow-up consultation at the end of this week so will have to wait and see what the Consultant says. 

Any thoughts?

Posted 8/15/2011 11:53 AM (GMT 0)
With radiation it can take a few years for the PSA to reach the low point, or nadir, for two main reasons.

First, it is likely that some healthy prostate cells survived and will continue to emit PSA. Second, the radiation primarily damages the cancer cells' DNA in such a way that they can not multiple, but can survive for awhile. Eventually, hopefully, the damaged cells will die and the radiation has done its job. Then you would see the PSA become low and, most importantly, stable

It is also expected that you will see an increase in PSA,nown as the bounce, somewhere from 18-36 months following treatment. The doctors should watch this and as long as the PSA comes back down it is allright.

There is great information on two websites. One is for permanent seeds, like you have (www.prostrcision.com), and the other is for HDR temporary radiation like I had (www.cetmc.com). I hope they are helpfull.
Posted 8/15/2011 12:25 PM (GMT 0)
Dear Over:

....not to worry...that 6 month result is just fine.  What the GP said is a little irrelevant but there are two key things here. First is that the PSA dropped by more than half in the first six months.  That is definitely what you want to see.  Second is that the number continues to drop...which is also what you want to see.  The median time to nadir is about 44 months for permanent seeds.  So, stay patient and be thankful for your continuing good news.

Tudpock (Jim)

Posted 8/15/2011 1:16 PM (GMT 0)
Oh guys, thank you both so much for your replies. I was feeling like a whipped dog this morning but can breathe easier now.
Thanks for clarifying re the radiation part. I was worried anything still there at 6 months wouldn’t get zapped, so good to know that isn’t the case.
Thanks again for the support.
x
Posted 8/15/2011 1:49 PM (GMT 0)
OTP, I have no experience with BT, but the guys you have heard from have plenty and what they are saying sounds like good news to me.

Just wanted to drop in here and say congrats on the downward movement. Hope everything else is going good for you two. Living life each day is really the goal of any of the treatments we go through.

Enjoy them all,

Sonny
Posted 8/15/2011 2:03 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you for your good wishes Sonny3.
Indeed we know how fortunate we are in comparison to others, yourself and Lynn included of course.
Wishing you both the best in your own journeys and sending a hug from over the pond.
x
Posted 8/15/2011 7:55 PM (GMT 0)
OTP,

Glad to hear that things are still going down (even if not as as much as you had hoped ).  It sounds as if you are within the limits and heading for a good end result.  Let us know what the doctor says after the 6 month consult.

Best of luck.

G6

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