PSA rise DURING chemo

Dmc695

New Member

Joined : Nov 2016

Posts : 14

Posted 9/25/2017 10:17 PM (GMT 0)

My dads's PSA started rising this summer after a four month break from Taxotere. His MO started him on a weekly treatment plan at a much lower dose - 3 weeks on/1 week off beginning in August. Today was his first PSA since this new plan and his PSA has gone up to 7 from 2.2. Could this be bc of the consistent lower dose spread out or is it time to look at another drug? MO had already left for the day when my parents got the new PSA result ☹️ He is scheduled for scans in 3 weeks.

Also, during that time he was switched from the 3 month Lupron injection to the 6 month injection. His PSA started rising after the 3 month mark.

He looks great, feels good, has had no side effects from this lower chemo to except a little fatigue. Dr. couldn't believe how good he looked today and asked him if he was sure he even had cancer.

Any thoughts are welcome and appreciated!

Thanks in advance!

Tall Allen

Elite Member

Joined : Jul 2012

Posts : 10645

Posted 9/25/2017 11:07 PM (GMT 0)

When prostate cancer cells die, they release PSA into the serum - so it's a good sign that it went up so quickly. The question is - what happens next. Your MO has to look at PSA and other biomarkers, as well as a CT scan to see if the tumors have shrunk. Maybe he will want to add in carboplatin, maybe switch to Taxotere.

If the PSA is rising on Lupron (and his testosterone is castration level), it's time for the bigger hormonal guns - Xtandi or Zytiga. Provenge may help too. There are some really promising clinical trials too.

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