Slight increase in PSA post surgery

Hi, Darren.

Welcome to the forum.

I'm sorry that despite surgery and salvage treatment there is still a slight PSA rise. Unfortunately, his happens too frequently, but it is still treatable.

Only in the last couple of weeks there have been people posting with similar issues.

https://community.prostatecanceruk.org/posts/t33961-journey-begins-again

https://community.prostatecanceruk.org/posts/t33954-PSA-after-surgery-and-RT

I can't really add much to what has been said on these conversations. It may be a idea to contact our specialist nurses.

Good luck, mate.👍

Edited by member 18 Sep 2026 at 11:50  | Reason: Add link

Hi Tony

My PSA went up about a year after my surgery. Oncologist said it was likely due to leaking cells from surgery. I quickly had 3 rises in PSA and then straight in for Radiotherapy to the prostate bed and that was it for the last 6 years not 5 PSA <0.025 which is as low as the lab test goes. 

June's scan was a bit of a shock as didn't expect it. I had knee surgery in May and Google searches said it could be down to the trauma of that causing a rise. Not sure how that works so was hoping may have returned to previous level, unfortunately not. Only a rise of 0.013 in 3 months but still a rise.

I am fortunate that I work in the hospital I was treated in and know my oncologist from a previous role I love his positivity and it does make me feel more positive. But as you say it's not easy to be positive. I must say the radiotherapy did the trick for me and I was thankful to be off the hormone therapy. 

I think that's my fear now I have worked so hard on my fitness and health in general probably the best I have been for a long while and now this. I am keeping a positive attitude as I know that is the best way to move forward.

I have read some studies on low dose aspirin being supportive of slowing progression so will be looking at that and will most likely start taking those again.

I did so much research when first diagnosed and was taking lots of repurposed tablets and fasted for my chemo due to the benefits of that and came through it ok. Mentally it's exhausting but coming out the other end for the last 6yrs was great and I was starting to cope better with the blood result anxiety.

I will post again after Monday and as difficult as it is try and stay positive the salvage radiotherapy has good results just takes time and that's what is frustrating we all just have to wait from one result to the next. 

Thank you for your response appreciate your comments and kind words.

Thanks

Darren

Hi Darren,  Your attachment of medical events and diet to psa level is something I do as well.  I've had several medical events in the last 2yrs and my psa has fluctuated out of trend and usually gone back to the trend of increase.  But if I mention it to medical people they look a bit sceptical and say something like 'well it might'.  I also recognise the optimistic Oncologist, it's a must.  As they say, it's better not to get ahead of yourself and take things a step at a time.  Someone told me that and it seemed helpful.

One thing I took from my last Oncologist meeting 3 weeks ago is that they don't think about the third decimal place, in fact they don't seem to think about the second decimal place.  My Oncologist only talks about one decimal place and it makes me feel a novice when I talk about the second place.  It reminded me of work when starters would talk about pennies and the subject was in thousands of pounds.  Although 0.059 seems a lot perhaps it isn't.  As you say you need to get the next readings and likely have a psma scan.  You might also make a list of your psa tests and dates in your profile, it's useful to have some detail in your profile.   Adrian's lists look good.  All the best, Peter