| Prostate specific antigen (PSA) is a protein produced | | | | caused by death of the damaged cancer cells that |
| by the prostate gland. It is measured in the blood | | | | release their PSA. |
| stream and is a useful tool for following men who | | | | A PSA bounce usually begins with less than a |
| have been treated for prostate cancer. Does a PSA | | | | one-point (less than 1 ng/ml) rise in the PSA level. |
| elevation after radiation treatment, be it a prostate | | | | Also, elevations of the PSA level after three years |
| seed implant and/or external beam radiation therapy, | | | | are less likely to be part of a bounce, and unlike a |
| always signify disease recurrence? | | | | bounce, rises of the PSA level by more than 1.2ng/ml |
| In the past, a PSA elevation after a prostate seed | | | | are less likely to drop back to their starting points. |
| implant or external beam radiation therapy was | | | | A recent study collected data on 7,500 men who |
| considered to be a harbinger of a prostate cancer | | | | were treated for prostate cancer with radiation |
| relapse, often prompting expensive tests and | | | | therapy. Nearly half of these men were found to |
| invoking a great deal of patient anxiety. Then, when | | | | have a PSA bounce. However, there was no adverse |
| the PSA level climbed to10 ng/ml or greater, men | | | | effect on their survival. In fact, these men fared just |
| were placed on hormonal therapy. Since the latter is | | | | as well as men whose PSA did not bounce. Also, |
| associated with a number of unpleasant side effects, | | | | patients who show such a PSA bounce less than two |
| it is desirable to refrain from using hormonal therapy | | | | years after treatment may be less likely to have |
| unless necessary. The question then arises: when | | | | cancer return later. |
| does an increase in the PSA level not signify that | | | | More good news is now that physicians are aware |
| cancer has returned? | | | | that an elevation in the PSA level does not |
| There is a phenomenon known as a PSA bounce, in | | | | necessarily mean prostate cancer has recurred, men |
| which the PSA level jumps up within one to three | | | | whose PSA bounces after radiation therapy can be |
| years after the man has completed radiation therapy. | | | | followed by their doctors, who can repeat the PSA |
| The PSA level eventually returns to the baseline it | | | | blood test six months later. |
| attained just after treatment. PSA bounce may be | | | | |