Action for Rising PSA?

Hi Spaull,

You don't say if your husband is still on HT.

I also had RT and HT and my HT treatment lasted for three years. The HT treatment was stopped over 2 years ago and my PSA has since risen from undetectable to 0.4 ng/ml. I was told that the PSA would rise on stopping the HT and I am assured that my current PSA reading is not a cause for concern.

Additionally I have been told that treatment will only be offered if my PSA rises to 2.0 ng/ml. i.e. 2.0 plus my lowest level (effectively zero).

As far as I understand this is standard practice and as you suggest you can expect some intervention if you husband's PSA rises to 2.16 ng/ml

Tom

In some hospitals, they only re-start treatment when the PSA reaches 10 or 20 - this is because the treatment would usually be to re-introduce HT which is then a pretty permanent feature. As your OH is already on long term HT, the game is slightly different and discussion would be about at what point to accept that the HT is no longer working and either add something extra or change to a different treatment. Either way this is likely to be at a much higher point than he is at the moment.

Just to let people know, Neil's PSA is at 2.2 and they are adding Bicalutamide to his existing Zoladex implants.  Having read through various posts this morning I am aware of so many different treatment paths and would be very grateful for any suggestions for questions I should bring up at the next appointment.  For example, I've read of people that have had additional scans but a specialist nurse advised a scan is only really necessary if it might change the treatment (but surely you need a scan to know this!).  I realise Neil's PSA is still low but I want to be prepared for the appointment. 

Edited by member 27 Aug 2016 at 07:51  | Reason: Not specified