PSA 14 yrs after Radical Surgery

[Ireanna]

Has anyone had a loved one whose PSA level returned after Radical Prostatectomy?  My dad, who just turned 65,  made it past his 10th year free and clean and now has a reading of almost 3 PSA.   I'm not confident in his doctor, who sent him for bone scan and when he returned for results he forgot he even sent him!!  After refreshing his memory he found them but they showed nothing really and HE actually said "you have cancer somewhere in your body, we just don't know where!".  Not only that, but he didn't even send him for another test, like an MRI (do they show cancers?)

  I made him get 2nd and 3rd opinions, but this confused him more as one thinks it is in lymph node and the other thinks it's in his 10th rib (this from reading the same bone scan report as dr#1)!  Frustrating.  Anyhow, any feedback from others on treatment would be appreciated.  He is currently just doing hormone pills (without shots - which I found odd from reading so much) and is to return for PSA testing in 3 months. I'm scared the lymph nodes spread quick and feel like they are wasting his time waiting around like this!!!

[dave734]

My PSA just rose to .03 after 8 years and a radical prostatectomy.I am being told the same as your father and I am 70 years old.I just had a Prostatscan,which is more accurate in detecting where the cancer(if Present)is.My scan came back normal but my doctor is still recommending I have 37 radiation treatments to the prostate bed area.I am still undecided if I am going to undergo this tratment.i am gathering as much information as I possible can to help me make my decision.I am sorry this message is getting to you so long after your posting,but my diagnosis is just recent.I would appreciate any other information regarding your fathers case.I have a couple of other sites concerning prostate cancer and radiation therapy that I can post if you would like.

[riley180]

Unfortunately there is no imaging test that can perfectly detect recurrent disease. The usual scenario is a rising PSA followed by overt evidence of disease on imaging. While there is confusion as to whether or not the bone scan shows disease in the 10th rib, I don’t think this changes the treatment plan (the presence of disease in the 10th rib will not trigger a consideration for removing the rib surgically or using radiation over the rib). The choice of using pills instead of shots you should discuss with your doctor and your father, in general shots are more effective but of course less convenient/more painful (some people sometimes do decide on a less effective therapy – an individualized approach is always best).