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What Causes Elevated PSA Levels After Radiotherapy For Prostate Cancer?
Question: HI I cant get to my e mail. Is it possible to have the answers by screen. Basically what it is ..12 years ago I had the prostate out. Last November all the tissue flared up around where it had been The psa ( ? ) went from .6 to 7.00.I had 40 treatments of radio therapy for 6 weeks at The Mater. The psa went down to .6 again. Now in the last week I feel I have all the symptoms that I had previously...uncomfortable in the lower area, getting up three or four times a nigh. I do have occasional attacked of a genetial herpes (very seldom ) and it feels like those symptoms yet it doesn't come out as small blisters ..it just feels like the same symptoms. I feel it is the cancer returning. Would this be possible . Thanks
Brief Answer:
What was the stage of this cancer before surgery?
Detailed Answer:
Hi and thank you so much for this query.
I am so sorry to hear about these symptoms and the rising levels of your PSA. If this cancer had metastasized before surgery, then the chances of it to return would be very high. I strongly think it was because you have been going through radiotherapy. As of date, there is no effective way to treat cancer of the prostate with drugs or radiation fully. Surgery is the only option that provides complete cure and this is possible only in cases where the cancer is confined to the prostate.
We can only do as much as possible to retard the progress of the cancerous cells that are beyond the prostate that was removed but there comes a time that no measure would be of help. With rising PSA levels, there is evidence that these cells are again active and multiplying.
I will suggest that you follow up with your doctor and ask about the exact stage of this cancer. Also, ask about the possibility of hormonotherapy. It would be very difficult to have herpes that never presents with breakouts. It is more likely to be related to the cancer cells.
I hope this helps. I wish you well. Thank you so much for using our services and please feel free to ask for more information and clarification if need be.
What was the stage of this cancer before surgery?
Detailed Answer:
Hi and thank you so much for this query.
I am so sorry to hear about these symptoms and the rising levels of your PSA. If this cancer had metastasized before surgery, then the chances of it to return would be very high. I strongly think it was because you have been going through radiotherapy. As of date, there is no effective way to treat cancer of the prostate with drugs or radiation fully. Surgery is the only option that provides complete cure and this is possible only in cases where the cancer is confined to the prostate.
We can only do as much as possible to retard the progress of the cancerous cells that are beyond the prostate that was removed but there comes a time that no measure would be of help. With rising PSA levels, there is evidence that these cells are again active and multiplying.
I will suggest that you follow up with your doctor and ask about the exact stage of this cancer. Also, ask about the possibility of hormonotherapy. It would be very difficult to have herpes that never presents with breakouts. It is more likely to be related to the cancer cells.
I hope this helps. I wish you well. Thank you so much for using our services and please feel free to ask for more information and clarification if need be.
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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