Prostate Restored
Prostate Restored
Photo: Tara Winstead
It is possible for prostate cancer to return after a prostatectomy. One study from 2013 suggests that prostate cancer recurs in around 20–40 percent of men within 10 years of having a radical prostatectomy.
The size and shape of your thighs are mostly determined by your genetics (e.g., bone structure), fat distribution, and muscle mass. Jul 2, 2021
Read More »
Most people are awake during operations with local or regional anesthesia. But general anesthesia is used for major surgery and when it's important...
Read More »
Fluxactive Complete is conveniently packed with over 14 essential prostate powerhouse herbs, vitamins and grade A nutrients which work synergistically to help you support a healthy prostate faster
Learn More »A prostatectomy is a type of surgery during which a surgeon will remove the prostate gland, often due to cancer. Following the operation, doctors use prostate-specific antigen testing to check for signs of cancer recurrence. The prostate gland produces low levels of a protein called prostate-specific antigen (PSA). Cancerous prostate cells also produce PSA. Doctors use PSA tests to check levels of PSA in a person’s blood. Higher levels of this protein can indicate a problem with prostate health, including prostate cancer. One treatment option for prostate cancer is a prostatectomy. During a radical prostatectomy, a surgeon will remove the prostate as well as some of the tissue around the gland. After a prostatectomy, it is normal for a person to continue having regular PSA tests. This helps doctors check that the surgical team removed the cancer successfully, and that it has not returned. In this article, we discuss why PSA testing is important after a prostatectomy and what the results can mean. We also cover treatment and prevention of rising PSA levels. Why is PSA testing important after prostatectomy? Share on Pinterest A doctor may recommend PSA testing to determine if the prostate cancer has returned after surgery. It is possible for prostate cancer to return after a prostatectomy. One study from 2013 suggests that prostate cancer recurs in around 20–40 percent of men within 10 years of having a radical prostatectomy. Although surgeons remove the prostate gland during a prostatectomy, some cancer cells can travel into the surrounding tissue. If these cancer cells multiply, they can cause prostate cancer to return. PSA testing can help doctors find and treat prostate cancer early. This is why they offer PSA testing, along with other tests, to people after they have treatment for prostate cancer. What do the results mean? Doctors measure PSA levels in nanograms per milliliter (ng/mL) of blood. PSA levels change over time and tend to rise with age. They also vary slightly between individuals. However, according to the Prostate Cancer Foundation, normal levels are within the following ranges: Age Normal PSA range 40–49 years 0–2.5 ng/mL 50–59 years 0–4 ng/mL 60–69 years 0–4.5 ng/mL 70–79 years 0–6.5 ng/mL The American Cancer Society (ACS) suggest that doctors often recommend that a person waits until 6–8 weeks after surgery before having a PSA test. This is because tests can still detect PSA in the blood after a prostatectomy during this period. After treatment, people expect their PSA levels to be very low. In many cases, levels of PSA in the blood will be undetectable. However, if testing does detect PSA after a prostatectomy, this does not mean that cancer has returned. Noncancerous cells can also make PSA. A doctor can advise on whether a person needs further testing or treatment. Doctors can also advise on what PSA level a person can expect to have after treatment. Is a rising or high PSA serious? Share on Pinterest PSA levels may naturally increase due to age. Seeing a rise in PSA level does not always mean that prostate cancer is returning or spreading. The test is very sensitive and can pick up small changes in PSA levels. Doctors will usually want to know how quickly levels of PSA in the blood are rising. To find this out, a person will need to have regular PSA tests. If levels of PSA remain stable or rise very slowly, treatment may not be necessary. In some cases, high PSA levels in the blood are not due to cancer cells. Some factors that can affect PSA levels include: older age
Regular physical exams Men older than 50 should have a yearly physical exam, and men younger than 50 should have a physical exam every three to...
Read More »
Swollen testicles (also known as scrotal swelling) can be a sign of a variety of things, including injury, infection or a testicular tumor. If you...
Read More »
Many people worry that having an enlarged prostate means they have an increased risk of developing prostate cancer. This isn't the case. The risk...
Read More »
A study of 250 men who had sperm analyzed at a fertility clinic showed that men who ate higher amounts of fruits and veggies, particularly green...
Read More »
Stimulates hormones Leg workouts can stimulate the release of large amounts of hormones. Working your legs helps to produce hormones such as...
Read More »
Top Five Leading Indicators. There are five leading indicators that are the most useful to follow. They are the yield curve, durable goods orders,...
Read More »
You're more likely to get cancer as you get older. In fact, age is the biggest risk factor for the disease. More than nine out of 10 cancers are...
Read More »
Examples of herbal supplements that can affect your blood pressure or blood pressure medications include: Arnica (Arnica montana) Ephedra (ma-...
Read More »
Promotion
Promotion