recurrent prostate cancer

[hunziker]

I had prostate cancer and had a radical prostatectomy Feb 2009. Gleason 3+4, PSA 4.2 preop, 0 of 18 nodes positive, largest tumor 1.5 x 1.1 x 1.0. right margin very close but no residual tumor- Stage T2c No. brother died of prostate cancer Gleason 4 + 4. Psa on April 2009 zero and remained essentially zero at 3 month intervals (except occasional 0.01) until June 2013. Psa Sept 2013= 0.03, psa Jan 2014 0.03, psa May 2014 0.04, and psa August 2014= 0.05. The question is " should I be concerned with this elevation and if not, then at what point should I be concerned about recurrence and then what workup should be pursued and what treatment should be considered. Thank you.  

[Life360_Dave]

Hi and sorry the late reply, When a person has their prostate removed and still shows psa levels only means some of the prostate cells are still there. The prostate is not growing and only the prostate creats psa not cancer.
Psa is by no means to used as a absolute guide for prostate cancer but regualar followups with your doctor.

[Kencm]

In a word, yes you should see your urologist. I am a recurrent prostate cancer survivor orginally 4+3 psa 4.8, radical prostectomy and after 6 years recorded a psa of .05, doubling time 3 months. Had radiation and ADT. Now cancer free 1 year, psa undetectable. Radiation and ADT have serious side affects for me but better than cancer.