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PSA bounce following radiation

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Posted 1/9/2016 11:43 AM (GMT 0)
I saw in some reading last night that there may be an association between proctitis and PSA bounce. My next PSA test is Monday, January 11. I’ve had proctitis for a few months with minor pain and bleeding which has gotten better recently but after reading the article last night I’ve become a bit more anxious about the upcoming test.
The protitis connection is just a theory, but I’m curious as to how the connection is made. How could inflammation of the rectum cause PSA to increase?
Posted 1/9/2016 4:21 PM (GMT 0)
Glad to hear your bleeding and minor pain are subsiding. If you are going to the UFPTI luncheon next week, maybe I will meet you. It will be my 3rd year anniversary. Glad you are doing well.
Regards,
Kris
Posted 1/9/2016 5:24 PM (GMT 0)
Kris, I have appointment on Friday the 15th for my annual. I do plan to be at the luncheon on Thursday the 14th. Maybe we will see each other. I will look for badge with Kris in it.
Posted 1/9/2016 6:56 PM (GMT 0)
Sent you an email. cya
Posted 1/9/2016 7:13 PM (GMT 0)
Radiation is irritative and causes inflammation, some places more, some places less, in the entire pelvic area. The prostate inflammation is usually symptomless. It may or may not cause higher PSA. You just have to track it for years to see what the long term pattern is.
Posted 1/9/2016 8:30 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks Allen for your thoughts.
The association of a PSA bounce with radiation prostatitis is easy to understand. What’s not so easy to understand is the suggested link between proctitis and the bounce. The rectum doesn’t generate PSA. Wouldn’t it be simpler to say what you said, that radiation to the pelvic area can cause prostatitis and therefore possibly a bounce. The bladder, rectum, and urethra to some extent experience collateral damage during radiation. It seems to me that their inflammation would not be a direct cause of a bounce, but rather an indication that the whole area suffered from the radiation enough to inflame the prostate and cause a bounce.
Posted 1/9/2016 8:52 PM (GMT 0)
I don't really understand what you find hard to understand, but most of the radiation hit your prostate, so that's likely to be the site of the most inflammation, even though, unlike proctitis, cystitis or urethritis, you may be unaware of it. Damaged prostate tissue releases PSA into the serum.
Posted 1/9/2016 9:44 PM (GMT 0)
What I find hard to understand is why list proctitis as a possible cause of a bounce? Why isn't it sufficient to list radiation prostatitis as one possible cause, along with other non-radiation causes like ejaculation, catheterization, biopsy, etc.? As you said, damaged prostate tissue releases PSA into the serum, not damaged rectum tissue. It seems superfluous to list proctitis since it's included in radiation induced inflammation to the prostate. It's not a separate cause; no reason for an and joining it with radiation prostatitis.

Post Edited (hrpufnstuf) : 1/9/2016 2:49:35 PM (GMT-7)

Posted 1/9/2016 10:08 PM (GMT 0)
I have no idea what you read, but there's a lot of misinformation on the net. Maybe you can post the reference. Association is not causation.

- Allen
Posted 1/10/2016 12:15 AM (GMT 0)
From Harvard Medical School-Harvard health Publications

Doctors aren’t sure what causes a PSA bounce, though several theories exist. Studies have shown an association between recent ejaculation and higher PSA levels, for example, as well as proctitis (inflammation of the rectum) and the insertion of a catheter. Age and radiation dose may play a role as well. There can also be variability among laboratories in determining PSA levels. Another theory is that a patient may be experiencing a late reaction to the radiation, such as radiation prostatitis.
Posted 1/10/2016 1:07 AM (GMT 0)
They use the word "association" not "cause."
Posted 1/10/2016 1:48 AM (GMT 0)
Yeah, so they can't prove it, but they think it may/might have something to do with it since it is associated with it. They have no idea how, why or if really... just saw it.
Posted 1/11/2016 8:09 PM (GMT 0)
PSA results in. Down from 2.5 in July to 1.28 today. What a relief!
Posted 1/11/2016 8:55 PM (GMT 0)
That's great news!

Andrew
Posted 1/11/2016 9:53 PM (GMT 0)
Take a victory lap!
Posted 1/12/2016 4:53 PM (GMT 0)
Great news!
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