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Posted Today 6:51 PM (GMT 0)
Just got home from my husbands 6 month checkup. He had BT July 2011. His PSA was 0.6 in July and today it was 0.7. The Dr wasn't concerned. Should we be? He also has bladder and bowel problems not to mention ED.
Posted Today 6:56 PM (GMT 0)
EJO, welcome to HW.  I would not be too concerned re a PSA reading that is essentially the same as the last one.  There is frequently a "PSA Bounce" after brachytherapy and that is probably why your doc is not too concerned.  If you get three increases in a row there may be a reoccurance of the cancer.

Re the ED, brachytherapy patients usually respond pretty well to one of the standard 3 drugs.  You should be working with your urologist on the issue.  Likewise with any urinary or bowel problems both your RO and urologists should be working with you re solutions.  While those problems are infrequent at this point post-brachy, they do occur and should be addressed.

Good luck,

Jim

Posted Today 6:59 PM (GMT 0)
Welcome to our corner of the world. Sorry you need to be here but it's a good place to be.

After any radiation treatment the PSA can bounce around a bit. What would be of concern is a consistent rise in the PSA. A single test isn't that significant - it's the over all trend you need to look at. A change of .1 could be explained by a number of things and not necessarily because of any thing bad. I wouldn't be concerned until you've got a couple of PSA tests that show an upward trend. If you are still concerned you can ask for a retest or test again in three rather than six months.

The other problems you mentioned would be more of a concern to me. Is he getting any treatment for those issues? There are things that can be done to help in those areas.

All the best,
Andrew
Posted Today 11:16 PM (GMT 0)
does sound like that anticipated bounce when one has any form of radiation as a primary treatment. the next several psa readings should show what is really going on here.

david
Posted 12/4/2012 12:14 AM (GMT 0)
Any radiation treatment as primary leaves prostate tissue. One has to consider that some level of PSA will remain for that reason. As others have mentioned, you are looking for a fairly stable value over time, not a specific value.

My IGRT after DaVinci has caused bowel issues that remain 18 months later. I also had some radiation cystitis that has become evident over the last year. Talk to your doctor.

Posted 12/4/2012 12:49 PM (GMT 0)
Welcome EJO.
If my math is right he is about 18 months post Brachy so the PSA reading looks fine to me. Quite typical to experience a bounce around this time and, as stated above, it can bounce around for a while.
Regarding the ongoing bladder, bowel and ED issues do consult with the RO/Uro to get these resolved.
Wishing you both well.
Susan
x
Posted 12/4/2012 1:10 PM (GMT 0)
Ditto to all of the above - a .1 uptick in PSA at this point in time post-treatment should not be a concern, but rather look for an upward trend over 3 or more consecutive readings. Do also keep in mind that a PSA "bounce" is quite common 1-2 years down the road after BT. Bowel and urinary issues do occur, but are rare with BT - did your hubby have problems in these areas before treatment? Clearly work with your Uro and Dr to address. Best to you both.
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