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Ways to Lower PSA After Prostate Surgery

One of the leading indicators of prostate cancer is a high prostate-specific antigen (more commonly known as PSA) level in the blood plasma levels of men. High PSA levels are often a cause for concern as they indicate abnormalities in the prostate, including the possible presence of a malignant growth in the prostate area. A biochemical recurrence of high PSAs may be observed after prostate surgery, which may indicate future problems. Men can treat high PSA levels following prostate surgery to ensure continued prostate health.

  1. Hormone Therapy

    • Androgen deprivation therapy, commonly known as hormone treatment, interferes with testosterone levels in males following prostate surgery and can lower PSA levels. Blocking testosterone results in a lack of fuel for prostate cancer cells, impeding their growth. Estrogen therapy, by itself or in combination with other antiandrogens, can also be an effective therapy at lowering PSA levels. Sexual side-effects related to this type of therapy are common and unpredictable. Such treatment may result in the lessening of muscle mass, the slowing or halting of hair growth, and erectile dysfunction. Because of this, these therapies are administered and monitored carefully by doctors to determine effectiveness. Immediate biopsies may be preferred by patients who are leery of such side effects.

    Antibiotics

    • Antibiotic treatment has been determined by the Food and Drug Administration to be a safe treatment for the common post-surgery side effects of prostate inflammation. Doctors hope that antibiotics and/or other drug therapy, including new antibiotics such as Cipro, will be able to help lower PSA levels. While inflammation and swelling caused by prostate surgery can often be alleviated by antibiotic treatment, no conclusive link has been shown between antibiotic treatment and lowering PSA levels.

      In tests reported by Clinical Trials.gov, Cipro, which is a common anti-inflammatory antibiotic, was tested as a method of lowering PSA levels. Cipro was no more effective at lowering PSA levels than the placebo drugs. While this does not necessarily mean that Cipro is ineffective in treating high levels of PSAs, it may demonstrate that more testing is needed before conclusive results can be determined. Many doctors still prefer antibiotics as an intermediary step in treating elevated PSA's after surgery before performing a biopsy.

    Watch and Wait

    • The last thing many individuals want to hear following a long and arduous journey back from prostate surgery is to wait a week or more before pursuing any tests. Many doctors, however, stress that going for a biopsy immediately after high PSA levels are indicated can be a painful, costly, and ultimately unnecessary mistake. Fluctuation in PSA levels following prostate cancer surgery is normal; as many as half of all men who undergo prostate surgery may end up with abnormal PSA levels on the first test. Laboratory error and fluctuating levels might mean a patient has no problem at all. Before you jump to a conclusion about rising PSA counts following surgery, you should wait and get a second opinion.

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