Looking for confirmation of my test results

Diagnosed with PCa the end of 2016 -
09/16 PSA 7.0
Had SBRT at MSKCC in 02/2017
Post tx test results:
06/17 - 2.13
12/17 - 2.44
03/18 - 1.66
06/18 - 1.63
12/18 - 2.43
01/19 - 1.63
07/19 - 1.22
01/20 - 0.86

I am pleased that my PSA is dropping but is it happening quickly enough or does that not matter as long as it's going in the "right direction" ?

Yep, your trend is looking very good. 👍

JNF said...
.... it takes time for all the PCa critters to die off.

This cracked me up!

I'd say you're doing just fine, Bosco. As I've mentioned in some other recent posts, my PSA trajectory is similar to yours. My RO, uro and I are all fine with things as they are. I was treated in November of 2016, and my PSA has gone down from 5.69 to 1.5-ish, with a couple of bounces. As long as the trend is downward, and the bounces are up/down, we are fine to ride it out.

The tall fellow who used to be here related to us that his PSA took about 6 years to nadir after SBRT, and my RO said that she has a patient who was treated (again, SBRT) over 7 years ago, and his is still going down.

Let's just enjoy the ride!

Bosco, I echo what others have said, the trend is your friend.

I was treated at MSKCC , salvage radiation, (very different than SBRT) and I too was amazed at the lack of side effects, so far. Finished radiation 14 months ago. I believe it’s in part, due to the skill of the technicians there, as well as most u- to date hardware and software. I hope that continues for us both

Bosco... All looking good... Enjoy your life...

pasayten

Down is good.

I'm not a radiation patient but....my doc does 6 month PSA and visit up to 5 years, then annual thereafter. My 5 year RALP anniversary is Feb 17, my next blood work and dr visit is in late March.

My RO discharged me back to my PCP right after treatment ended. I had six month tests until about 7 years out when I've been switched to once a year.

Unless you're having problems, there's no real reason to be followed by the RO post treatment.

My PCP has been able to help me manage all the post RT issues and refer me to the correct specialists.

Andrew

Reflecting back on my follow-up RO visits there was a significant routine the clinic followed. It would start with me filling out rather extensive questionnaires regarding urinary, bowel and sexual functions. Then the main nurse wold get my vitals, height weight etc. Then she would take me throughout the clinic and check in with the various team members that shared in my treatments for a “hi, how are you, good to see you” discussion. Then I would spend about 30 minutes with the RO. He would review my treatment with as much detail as I wanted, go over areas that I would be watchful for negative treatment damage and side effects, and then show me charts of their clinical results going back many years and showed how I was doing versus their treatment population. He would also share new studies, papers etc. regarding the treatment I had. Very thorough and always informative.

In one visit I remarked about meeting with the team members and he explained that often they ask about how people are doing post treatment. After all, they usually see the person every day for several months. So he started including them in the follow-up routine. He said it did a lot to help them see the fruits of their work with the successes and kept them respectful and humble regarding the patients that did not do as well. He managed a completely patient centric clinic and made sure that every patient was a person not a wrist band and chart. All the team members were respectful, pleasant and very attentive to each patient. Thus, I always enjoyed the follow-up visits so I could also learn how they were progressing with families and such.