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Posted 3/30/2015 1:12 AM (GMT 0)
Had radical prostatectomy in 2013 followed by radiation and by Nov. that year PSA reading was .01, and remained that was until Nov. 2014 when my PSA test indicated it had jumped to .011, the radiation oncologist basically gave me the results and said if it reaches 2 then we will put you on drugs thus end of visit, I have a appointment to see him in Nov. 2015, , I am headed back to the surgeon in April for a follow up visit with him, is there another specialist I should be asking to see such as a medical oncologist, I might add my gleason score was 7 and I was diagnosed as T3 after surgery, adivice would be appreciated.


Thank you

Jim
Posted 3/30/2015 1:38 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Jim,

Sorry to hear of the jump in your PSA, after RP and Radiation.
The job however with your surgeon is done unless you need a referral and you should be looking for a medical Oncologist.
Many others may chime in if needing help with that Specialists in your area.

Good Luck,

BOOGEE
Posted 3/30/2015 1:43 AM (GMT 0)
Jim, welcome, I see this Ian your first post.
I'm not an expert, others with more experience will weigh in, but I would assume by "Drugs" he meant Hormone therapy?

I would think you should be seeing a medical oncologist with a focus on Prostate Cancer. If you post your location, some of the more experienced guys here, could probably give you names of prominent practitioners in that area
Posted 3/30/2015 1:43 AM (GMT 0)
Welcome to HW, sorry you need to be here.

You might want to talk to one of the oncologists who specialize in PC, but you're still very far from needing that.

While your RO sounds a bit brusk, he's basically correct and it's out of his area of specialty to deal with. A URO would more likely do the drug therapies, sometimes in consultation with a oncologist.

I'd follow up with your surgeon.

Also the change from .01 to .011 isn't that big a shift. Before starting to think about follow up treatments, you really need to see a pattern of rising PSA numbers. This could be a false reading.

I'd retest in 3-4 months to confirm a rise.

In the mean time, go live life and don't worry about it.
Andrew
Posted 3/30/2015 2:11 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Jim
Welcome to HW forum
Your PSA result is still <0.1.
The increment is very marginal. As mentioned, need another couple of tests to read the trend.
Wishing you all the best
Posted 3/30/2015 3:00 AM (GMT 0)
Did you type the numbers correctly?

A change from .01 to .011 is a very, very small change.

I'm not sure that any concern is justified for such a difference. That could be the same sample being tested at two labs, or even a second time at the same lab.
Posted 3/30/2015 3:35 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Jim,

Unlike some on this board I am a believer in the value of ultra-sensitive PSA tests--especially for people who have had both surgery and radiation. But .01 and .011 are essentially, and probably are exactly, the same number. If the first test was measured out to a third decimal it might well have been .011 also. Unless you entered the numbers wrong in your post up above, I see no increase at all. The second test shows a possible increase of one one-thousandth - a fluctuation so small that it is almost certainly not above the noise level at the bottom of the test's sensitivity.

Jim
Posted 3/30/2015 3:36 AM (GMT 0)
Its not even statistically worth a penny. the Rad Onc should look ashamed.
Posted 3/30/2015 10:18 AM (GMT 0)
Jim, I have to go along with the others, if your numbers above are correct, you have no need to be concerned at this point. Your Rad Onc doesn't appear to be too concerned since your appointment is 8 months down the road in November. A Med Onc may be required at some time but I think you have a long way to go before that happens. Stick around and keep us informed!

Cheers, Doug
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