Hi Evangelos,
   Your father may have cancer outside the prostate at the time of RP.
That is why the PSA test shows higher level.
Your Dr. wants your father to use hormone blocking drugs, inorder for the
cancer that is dependent on hormones, to not have those hormones....
In other words the hormone blocking drugs starve the cancer of what it is
dependent on....
Sometimes, radiation is used also to kill the cancer near and around the
prostate.
If the cancer has spread farther, hormone blocking drugs are used.
I wish you and your father the best.
John Loomis

"My father underwent total prostate gland removal in 1998.
The tissue tests showed that there was a cyst in the front of the
gland,
but they were inconclusive as to whether it would have progressed to
cancer, since it was very early to tell the progression it might have
had, should the gland had not been removed. Cancer had not developed
yet.
However, gradually PSA levels begun to rise from 0 after the operation
(1998) to 1.0 (early 2000) and now (2004) to 2.7
The doctor suggested hormone treatment to lower the PSA levels.
Is it normal for PSA levels to gradually rise after total gland
removal?
Is this rise indicative of future cancer in the bones etc?
Why is the PSA still rising since there is no infection? Are there any
cancer cells present anywhere in the body?"

I'm not sure I completely understand your description of his case - he
had a prostatectomy but it was not cancerous? If he has been biopsied
and cancer not found, it is possible that there is benign prostate
tissue left behind, notably the cyst, that is growing and producing
PSA. However, w/ a PSA of almost 3, it would be about the size of a
normal prostate by now and that does not seem likely. Generally it is
NOT normal for PSA to rise post-RP and that fact usually indicates
residual cancer. If it is local it can be treated w/ radiation; if the
odds are that it is systemic, hormone therapy would be in order. It
sounds like his doctor is assuming the latter.

Bill Denton
RP 2/12/02
Memphis

I do not think it is "normal" for the gland to be removed due to a cyst
without a biopsy showing cancer.  But, I am not a doctor.  I've just never
heard of it.

It is normal to have prostate cancer lie dormant for years before rising.
And, such a slow rise is a very good sign.  However, I would think that
local radiation would be the next step.  Unless you father is really old.