A 39-year-old member asked:
Does a rising psa after a radical prostatectomy mean cancer?
7 doctor answers • 13 doctors weighed in
Dr. Richard Sarleanswered
Urology 24 years experience
Yes: This is called psa recurrence. Depending on pathological factors you can predict the chances. Radiation and or hormone ablation are often next treatment steps if surgery was first treatment.
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5.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Dr. Andrew Turrisi commented
Radiation Oncology 49 years experience
depending on the time after surgery, and the pace of and height of the PSA, one might check a bone scan and/or CT-pelvis/abd to check for nodes.
May 5, 2012
Dr. Gurmukh Singhanswered
Pathology 51 years experience
Likely: A rising level of psa or any other tumor marker indicates increasing tumor mass. Therefore a rising psa would suggest recurrence of the tumor.
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5.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Dr. Andrew Turrisianswered
Radiation Oncology 49 years experience
If the prostatectomy: Removed all the prostate, post op psa should be 0 in 30 - 60 days, if it isn't either prostate tissue, or prostate cancer remains, either in the prostate bed for the former, or elsewhere for the latter. The pathology report usually details margins of resection, and capsule penetration. This can occur with any method of prostatectomy.
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Dr. Naveen Kellaanswered
Urologic Oncology 25 years experience
Yes: There should be no psa rise after surgery. However, acting on a rise depends on your life expectancy and how quickly the psa is rising.
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5.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Dr. Devon Websteranswered
Medical Oncology 24 years experience
Yes: Psa comes from prostate cells. So if you've had your prostate completely removed, you should not have an elevated psa. If you do, it means there are prostate cells somewhere in your body. This usually means a recurrence of prostate cancer. Sorry, i'm sure that's not what you wanted to hear. Talk to your urologist or oncologist for more info, and best wishes.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Dr. Devon Websteranswered
Medical Oncology 24 years experience
Yes: Psa comes from prostate cells. So if you've had your prostate completely removed, you should not have an elevated psa. If you do, it means there are prostate cells somewhere in your body. This usually means a recurrence of prostate cancer. Sorry, i'm sure that's not what you wanted to hear. Talk to your urologist or oncologist for more info, and best wishes.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.6k viewsAnswered >2 years agoMerged
A Verified Doctoranswered
Urology 53 years experience
It means....: Desirable psa after successful radical prostatectomy (rp) is staying low at.
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4.2k viewsAnswered >2 years agoMerged
Last updated Apr 14, 2019
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