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What's the chances of cancer returning after 10 years of 0 psa?

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Posted 4/19/2017 4:39 PM (GMT 0)
I had my robotic surgery in 2007 for G6 cancer and ever since then my annual PSAs have been 0. I am 66 now and I was wondering if I can stop doing PSA tests?

Is there still a possibility that the cancer could return even after this long? My pathology was negative margins and still G6.

Does anyone know of a person who had the cancer return after 10 years of 0 psa's?
Posted 4/19/2017 4:45 PM (GMT 0)
No such thing as "0 PSA," but you probably just mean "undetectable."

You should continue having monitoring PSAs. It's very uncommon, but yes I have heard of people having recurrence 10+ years after treatment. Make them a regular part of your annual check-up, then they are no hassle. PSA testing is a poor predictor of prostate cancer in an untreated man and it's use is filled with controversy. However, post-treatment is a completely different story; there is no controversy and it is an effective monitoring tool.

Post Edited (JackH) : 4/19/2017 10:49:38 AM (GMT-6)

Posted 4/19/2017 4:54 PM (GMT 0)
It would be rare to come back after all this time. I've not heard of a case like that.

Likely you could drop the testing, but it's only a blood test, you could just keep it as part of your regular physical check ups.

Andrew
Posted 4/19/2017 5:06 PM (GMT 0)
the way I see it, chances are 50-50. it either will or won't come back. don't understand why you would want to quit PSA since it's just a check of a box. now, DRE, I could understand lol!

ed
Posted 4/19/2017 5:18 PM (GMT 0)
Please continue to have your PSA checked at least once a year. While not stated, it appears that you do not have one of the forms that give off little to no PSA (like small cell or Ductal). That said, you may want to discuss having scans perhaps every five years or so. Sometimes when "normal" prostate cancer comes back (and I hope for you it does not), it is more agressive and less likely to give off PSA.

In any case, your news is great! Hope you celebrate!
Posted 4/19/2017 6:51 PM (GMT 0)
As a G6 you have little to be concerned about. As to a future PSA increase, yes it can happen, but you appear to be at a very low risk for it. We know that G6 is very unlikely to cause problems. Prudence dictates that you include a yearly PSA test. If it does start going up there are good ways to deal with it.

I do have a client whose PSA started rising 15 years after surgery, but this is fairly rare, particularly for a confirmed G6.
Posted 4/19/2017 8:46 PM (GMT 0)
I believe it would be nice to not ever feel the PSA-anxiety again after so long time. It seems pretty safe also.

www.jurology.com/article/S0022-5347(11)03520-8/abstract

"Furthermore, these results suggest that annual prostate specific antigen testing may be safely discontinued after 10 years for men with a prostatectomy Gleason score 6"
Posted 4/19/2017 8:51 PM (GMT 0)

JNF said...
As a G6 you have little to be concerned about. As to a future PSA increase, yes it can happen, but you appear to be at a very low risk for it. We know that G6 is very unlikely to cause problems. Prudence dictates that you include a yearly PSA test. If it does start going up there are good ways to deal with it.

I agree ----

Bobby Mac
Posted 4/19/2017 8:59 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for that link, Gemlin. That looks like good counsel. I stand corrected.
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