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User
Posted 21 Feb 2025 at 10:38

I had my tumour treated by Cyber Knife just over 12 months ago. 

Since then I have been having 4/5 monthly meetings with my oncologist to check my PSA levels. These have come down to 0.4 but my PSA was low already at around 1 when I had a tumour diagnosed. 

I would like to have another MRI to confirm that there is no remaining cancer but they seem reluctant to do this saying that there won't be anything to see. 

Is this the norm. Just PSA tests and hope it's all gone? 

I would be interested in the experience of others.

User
Posted 21 Feb 2025 at 11:52

That is normal. We have had posts in the past where patients have asked for more detailed follow up and doctors refused.

I can understand that resources are limited. Perhaps more relevant is the fact an MRI doesn't see cancer it sees different water concentrations in soft material. A radiographer then determines if something doesn't look normal. I suspect nobody's prostate looks normal after treatment. An MRI scan would be about as useful as looking at a battle field and saying there was a battle here, that doesn't tell you who won.

Dave

User
Posted 21 Feb 2025 at 11:56

I'd say +1 to the above, if your PSA is staying low then that indicates that there's no active tumours.  The consultants usually look for a doubling in PSA levels over 3 readings, for example if your PSA went from its current 0.4 to 0.9, then to 3 over a period of 3 or 4 months. 

 

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User
Posted 21 Feb 2025 at 11:52

That is normal. We have had posts in the past where patients have asked for more detailed follow up and doctors refused.

I can understand that resources are limited. Perhaps more relevant is the fact an MRI doesn't see cancer it sees different water concentrations in soft material. A radiographer then determines if something doesn't look normal. I suspect nobody's prostate looks normal after treatment. An MRI scan would be about as useful as looking at a battle field and saying there was a battle here, that doesn't tell you who won.

Dave

User
Posted 21 Feb 2025 at 11:56

I'd say +1 to the above, if your PSA is staying low then that indicates that there's no active tumours.  The consultants usually look for a doubling in PSA levels over 3 readings, for example if your PSA went from its current 0.4 to 0.9, then to 3 over a period of 3 or 4 months. 

 

 
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