First Oncology Appointment - offered good news

That is a reassuringly slow increase. All that time from 2016 to 2021 it was also doubling, but below a threshold anyone can measure. So over the last 8 years that doubling has been low and not accelerated. I can definitely see why the oncologist is predicting a long life.

Scanning and treatments are constantly improving, some fall by the wayside like immunotherapy, Lu 177 (too expensive), proton beam. Others improve like SABR or get cheaper (enzalutamide). By the time you need treatment (if ever) it will almost certainly be better treatment than it is today.

Hi Folks,

I’m always wary of saying it, but some good news.

My psa has been rising since at least Dec 21 when it was first detectable at 0.06.

Feb 23  psa 0.1

May 23 psa 0.09

Aug 23 psa 0.09 (risen 0.03 in 21months)

Dec 23  0.1.

April 24 0.11.

Aug 24  0.11.

In August a transfer to Oncology was offered so yesterday I met a friendly Consultant Clinical Oncologist with a friendly Macmillan Nurse. 

The consultant said with a psa doubling every 2 to 3 years it could reach 0.8 by 85yrs old, reaching 6 by 93 when I could be offered hormones or wait until it reaches 20.  98yrs maybe?  I was told the doubling rate is normally fairly constant.

The alternatives were to have RT or a psma scan which could happen fairly soon, them not putting a threshold on the events.  The consultant said having RT without a scan was about 50% successful but her figures were 60%.   It’s tempting but doing nothing is more relaxing.

Overall it was a re-assuring meeting, and she said it would be unlikely to die of prostate cancer.

The path now is to continue with a psa test and Macmillan nurse phone call every 4 months.  Reaching 98 isn't something I think about but as I get older horizons stretch a bit further.

Pete2016

That’s great news Peter, I’m very pleased for you.

All the best for the future.

Derek