PSA results after radiation.
Posted , 8 users are following.
Hello. I am one of these health anxiety people, so I apologise in advance. My biopsy last year showed G7 (3+4) Intermediate Favourable and I had 60 gy in 20 fractions in January. My PSA was 7.4 July '18 and dropped to 3.1 early June this year. My consultant said it could have been higher than 7.4 by the time rt started. I shall have another test in September. My question is whether it will continue to drop from the 3.1 this time. Of course, nobody knows and we are all different etc, but generally, does it usually keep going down with each test from some of your own results? I know it can take up to two years to reach its nadir (?) and I have heard of the 'bounce' thing. I try not to worry and take it as it comes etc, but I have had a scare from bowel cancer. Thankfully I've passed 5 years from that so now have to put up with this new one! Sorry again, I just wondered what to expect. Thanks.
0 likes, 26 replies
joshuapryce1987 TheToad
Posted
Its seems your body is treating you well. Keep treating the body as you have and it will keep being kind to you.
david41094 TheToad
Posted
Mine went down steadily over a few years after RT. It is now stable at 0.2 and I never think about it - just go for an annual PSA
TheToad david41094
Posted
That's good. I am due for another test in a month or so. My rt finished almost 25 months ago and I get tested every 6 months. If this one continues to fall I'll see if yearly is possible. I'm already starting to stress but I've been told a bounce is quite common.
barney34567 TheToad
Posted
Stress does not help, nor does constant PSA checking as some folk do.
Go again as you say in 6 months.
Please advise again the dates of your last two PSA tests, their results and when you started and finished radiation.
TheToad barney34567
Posted
Thanks for your interest. My last two psa tests were 5 March 2020 and 14 September 2020. Results were 2.7 and 1.5 respectively. Quite a pleasing drop. The three drops before that were only by .2. Radiation was 60 Gy in 20 fractions and finished at the end of January 2019, i.e. 25 months ago. It was called Intermediate Favourable. Stay safe, John.
TheToad
Posted
Hi Barney. Any thoughts on my results? I'm planning to have the test in about 12 days time. John.
TheToad
Posted
Monday's psa was 0.83, down from 1.5 six months ago. I'm happy with that so will shut up for a while. Thanks to all those who helped.
barney34567 TheToad
Posted
Hey there, sorry for my late reply, but I was tied up in family matters and had no time for this website and other sites I am involved in.
After RT, the PSA should drop, but not to "undetectable" levels as is the case with a good outcome from surgery.
The drop after successful RT is SLOW and steady.
It takes maybe 24 months or even longer for the PSA to reach its lowest level, so it seems that you're doing well.
I recommend PSA testing every 6 months.
Keep well. Again, sorry for my late reply.
TheToad barney34567
Posted
Thanks Barney. Yes, I asked the Dr if yearly would be ok but 6 months it is. I hope your family matters are now sorted.
barney34567 TheToad
Posted
Family matters.... being sorted out 😃
In my experience 6 mthly tests is preferred to annual or say to 3 mthly.
This way you can stay on top of things and heaven forbid, you see an unwelcome rise in a 6 mthly test, you have more time to think and decide what to do if anything, than if you checked annually.
3 mthly tests IMHO, will drive a person crazy.
Keep well.
barney34567 david41094
Posted
Good attitude. If it is stable over time, that's good news. It does not warrant hyper vigilant PSA testing.