I was diagnosed with prostate cancer one year ago. PSA 4.6 and gleason 7 (3-4). Cancer was contained to the prostate. Had 25 sessions of IMRT in May and June followed by 98 palladium 103 seeds planted in July. My first follow up PSA in late November 2006 was .8 my second PSA in February was 2.3. Doctor says not unusual and is confident the PSA will come down.
Needless to say it has caused me some anxiety. I would appreciate your feedback. thanks Jack

Jack:

Did you have IMRT and seeds because of the Gleason score? Being only a layman, I have no medical advice, but if it were me and this doctor feels a bounce that high is normal I would seek another opinion. It's better to find any problem before it gets too far along. Is your doctor a radiation oncologist?

Just my opinion - good luck.

Major

Thanks my urologist is not oncologist i will be talking to my oncolgist on monday thanks for your input

Hi Friend, You and I are in similar straits in re-"PSA bounce(s)." (Please see my posting just above yours.) I have had "two bounces" which apparently is "not allowed" and may/probably signifies a relapse (or it "never having been 'fried away' in the first place.") I believe that your 3 month elevation IS alarming and that both "velocity-wise" and "level-wise" in three months it is alarming for relapse. (I have learned that doctors do not like to "allow" that their treatments may not have worked. We can not therefore accept their opinions as objective.)

The suggestion that you go to either a good urologist or oncologist is good. And so as to say, "Let not your heart be (too) troubled," I know MANY men in my support group (a "must" by the way for all of us in this "fix" if one is closeby) who have been held for YEARS ON END with HMT, aka "homone manipilation therapy." One of my best friends from high school, an Episcopal priest, has made it nine years on that ALONE (positive nodes when radical surgery was attempted) and now they have decided to give it to him "intermittantly only" after all those years because he is faring so well. It is NOT the answer we'd like but not an immediate death sentence either! Both an oncologist or urologist will want to know of ANY painful bones or joints especially in your back or hips/leg.
See my posting above yours and keep the faith! Jay B