I remember when I was in the procedure room and ready for my prostate biopsy when 5 or 6 first-year residents came to the door of the room to watch the biopsy. Of course, the urologist asked me if it...
I know the Lab Quest post-prostatectomy is 0.02, but I don't know how the test increments from there....
Does the Quest Labs post-PSA test increment in thousandths (0.02, 0.021, 022, 023, etc) or only in hundredths (0.02, 0.03, 0.04, etc)?...
I am an identical twin. My brother's PSA is very low while mine climbed to 6.2 when I had my prostatectomy eleven years ago. I believe my PCa was caused by environmental exposure (natural and at the...
Well, it has been over 7 years since IMRT and it looks like I might be getting a case of irritated bladder. My symptoms only occur at night, usually 4 to 6 hours after falling asleep. The problem...
I had robotic prostatectomy 10 years ago and because of a small positive margin and PSA hit 0.2 ng/ml I underwent radiotherapy two years later (IMRT/IGRT 39 sessions at 1.8 grays totaling 70.2...
Sorry to hear that. I completed 39 fractions for a total of 72.0 grays and haven't had any GI issues. I can say this past year I have experienced slight bladder irritation which only occurs at night....
TJ123, You would think that all of the tests would be reading the same values, but they don't. I guess there aren't any "standards" on PSA testing. I guess the bottom line is to use one lab that you...
Guys, thank you for the good words....
Having the prostate removed back in 2013 and radiation in 2015 (thanks to a small positive margin) my PSA stayed undetectable (<0.02 Quest Labs Post Prostatectomy test) for 6 years. Then at the end...
DougS, Very interesting! I was told that once radiated, re-radiation isn't doable. Can you elaborate on the Proton treatment such as the number of treatments and radiation dosage? Thank you!...
Your urologist sounds a like my urologist, not much talking. You have to remember urologists are surgeons, they love to cut but many don't have the best bedside manners. Your post-op PSA is...
Prior to CERN's Large Hadron Collider becoming operational, there were a few people who theorized that there was a chance that it could destroy the world either by creating a black hole that consumes...
I have a 3 lead portable ECG and it can be used with the three leads, or held up to your chest. When using the leads it is very accurate. I printed out several strips and sent them to my brother who...
I had robotic surgery with nerve sparing. If he is a robotic surgery expert, I assume he has done over 600 of these procedures. I was told by my oncology urologist that performed the surgery that...
Fiddlecanoe, I had a prostatectomy 10 years ago and then radiotherapy (IMRT) 7 years ago. Up until this past year, I would drink 10 to 12 cups of coffee a day without any problems. But this past year...
After a robotic prostatectomy 10 years ago and radiotherapy (IMRT) two years after that my PSA has become detectable (0.02ng/ml) for the past two years, I might inevitably require focal therapy in...
Zzarth, First off, 0.013 is extremely small. I truly believe the third decimal place is mostly noise, and unreliable for qualitative purposes. But it is GREAT for making people anxious and...
Before retiring, I worked at a large teaching hospital and then at a dental school. Students learn or I should say get a custom to the sight. I am surprised that a few of these students haven't...
Fred 61, What is salvage radiation? It is radiotherapy after surgery had failed., I had approximately 1mm positive margin (determine by a post-surgery biopsy done by a pathologist). It took 2 years...
Compiler, Several years ago I had a complete whole genome sequence done (WGS). I had one single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) for prostate cancer in BRCA1 which was insignificant. I also had an SNP...
The answer to both questions is very dependent on your surgery, age, and your health. For some yes, and for others no. I can only speak for myself, I had nerve-sparing robotic surgery. Amazingly I...
Five years ago I did a whole genome sequencing (WGS) for the hell of it. Surprisingly, I had several Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) for prostate cancer, among a couple of other cancers. In...
I had salvage radiation (39 treatments for a total of 70.2 grays) a little over 7 years ago. I worried about GI and urinary side effects, but the R.O. told me not to worry, and that if any side...
As you already know, knowledge is power. It is great to see people being proactive and taking ownership of their health. It sounds like you are doing a GREAT job managing your health. Much success in...
RM, Surgery or radiation is good! The only problem with radiation is age-related. If you are young getting radiation increases the chance of secondary cancer caused by the radiation, the odds are low...
FYI: If anyone needs a great oncology urologist in the New Orleans area, you can check out Dr. Scott Delacroix. He is a great surgeon and affiliated with Touro, University Medical Center New Orleans,...
Yes, I had robotic surgery 10 years ago and radiation 2 years after that (I had a small positive margin). My PSA this past year lost its less-than-sign. The past 2 sensitive PSA tests came back as...
I have been getting Quest Labs' sensitive PSA test every 6 months since my surgery back in 2014. Three years ago I moved two states away (170 miles) from my oncology urologies, so now we do 6-month...
I had my second colonoscopy several months ago. First, one was10 years ago they found nothing, this time they found one adenomatous polyp, so GI doctor said I should have another one in five years....
I notice there are a couple of great videos on Youtube on this subject including ones from the Cleveland Clinic....
Could I have driven home after surgery? Yes. But would I want to drive home after surgery? Hell no! My surgery was in the late afternoon and was released the next morning at 7 am. Luckily, my wife...
I am 69 and had robotic surgery ten years ago and two years later had radiation. I still am able to have sex without a problem much of a problem. Drugs can help, but not needed....
Taylor 1154, I had a small positive margin resulting in two years after the prostatectomy my PSA hit 0.2 ng/ml so I had IMRT/IGRT (39 sessions at 1.8 grays each) salvage radiation 7 years ago. I too...
I had a colonoscopy a couple of months ago, which is about 7 years after my IMRT/IGRT radiation treatment. The doctor said he couldn't see any radiation damage. But he did find one polyp so it looks...
Possibly there might be a vaccine for a particular type of cancer by 2030. Most cancers have many variants (mutations) for example GIST (Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors). For example, "GISTs harbor...
Ten years ago I had daVinci surgery, and two years later I had IMRT/IGRT salvage therapy (72 grays). My PSA just became detectable (0.02 ng/ml) and my oncology urologist mentioned that in the future...
There have been quite a few papers published in medical journals concerning secondary cancers. I question my RO prior to receiving salvage radiotherapy and he said "yes, there is an additional risk"...
One receiving radiation at an early age usually has a longer life expectancy and an increased risk of secondary cancers caused by radiation, usually bladder, rectal, or colon....
I would suspect that he would have to find a great surgeon that has a good track record for salvage surgery. Also, the risk of urinary and rectal complications will increase....
I had IMRT/IGRT (39 treatments for a total of 70.2 grays) two years after my robotic surgery. I can tell you I had zero side effects during and after the radiation. I didn't change my diet, zero GI...
I had robotic surgery and took 4 weeks off since I had a lot of sick time. I could have gone back after the second week, but I am glad I didn't. The first 2 days are the hardest, after that, it...
Paxlovid is metabolized by the liver by CYP3A and is involved with drug metabolism and synthesis of cholesterol, steroids, and other lipids. This gene can increase the risk of adverse reactions with...
I withheld information that I had prostate cancer from my mother. My brother did the same for a couple of melanoma moles on his body. She was elderly and living alone, and we didn't want her to worry...
SteveF, Four weeks is still a little early. Kegel's are your best friend right now. Being dry at night is a HUGE plus! Do you know if both nerves were spared? This is a correlation between...
I enjoy a glass of fine red wine every evening, as per my doctor's orders. Yet, the SOB would never write me a prescription for it....
Sparky9 I had a stricture about 1/2 inch from the tip of the penis. I can tell you it is definitely caused by the catheter which is too large. There was a study done by a urologist group that found...
This is a desdecision that only you can make. But I believe the standard protocol for GS8 is ADT and radiation. You have a normal size prostate good and should minimize any urinary issues....
Stephanie, Thank you for the information. I like many others my age don't fear death but the pain, the agony, the costs, and the toll sickness places on a loved one. Hopefully, when the time comes I...
My oncology urologist told me that if my biopsy came up with Gleason 6 that he would not do any surgery but will start active surveillance. Mine came back as GS 7 (3+4) and had surgery. The one thing...