Periodically, some of the men in one of my support groups get locked into what they see as the importance of monitoring their C-reactive protein (CRP) serum levels to be able to predict their chances of having a Bio-Chemical Recurrence (BCR) (PSA only). The CRP measures levels of inflammation and we know that inflammation and [...]
It is generally accepted that a complete biochemical response (BR) of a man’s PSA immediately after surgery is an indicator of optimal cancer control. Does this also hold true for men with lymph node invasion (LNI)? Researchers performed a single institution study of 319 men with prostate cancer and LNI who were treated with surgery [...]
Increasingly, we have become better informed about the possible role of psychological and spiritual interventions in the treatment of cancer, specifically for this post in men with locally advanced prostate cancer. This post is limited to just discussing the possible interventions specifically in men with a Biochemical Prostate Cancer Recurrence, commonly referred to as a [...]
Current practice has been to immediately begin hormone therapy (ADT) as soon as a man has a bio-chemical (PSA only) relapse. A recent presentation at ASCO 2014 has shown that immediate ADT actually offers little or no survival benefit over deferred ADT to advanced prostate cancer survivors who experience a PSA only relapse after radical [...]
As usual, we are confronted with a new contradiction. It has been believed that earl hormone therapy (ADT) in men with a biochemical recurrence (PSA only) would benefit from immediate ADT. A study released from the Harvard School of Public Health contradicts this assumption, but the study lacks follow up beyond 10 years. They evaluated [...]
According to a study published online May 9 in The American Journal of Pathology copy number variations (CNV) in both malignant and benign prostate tissue is predictive of prostate cancer relapse. The research performed at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine by Yan P. Yu, M.D. and colleagues evaluated whether CNV of the genomes [...]
How to best treat men with a prostate cancer PSA only recurrence (biochemical recurrence) still remains controversial. Hormone therapy (ADT) using a combination of a 5-alpha reductase inhibitor and an antiandrogen without conventional gonadal androgen suppression (where testosterone levels are not suppressed) may allow control of the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) with less morbidity. METHODS: In [...]
Researchers at the Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins and the Walter Reed Army Medical Center evaluated metastasis-free survival (MFS) and overall survival (OS) among men with a biochemical reoccurrence (PSA only) of prostate cancer after having received a radical prostatectomy but did not receive additional therapy until developing metastases […]
A PSA only recurrence (biochemical failure) post a primary treatment for prostate cancer is relatively common, approximately 30% of those treated! A biochemical failure is characterized a return of increasing PSA without any other evidence of cancer on a scan. Failure can happen immediately after primary treatment has been completed or many years after the [...]
