Are there any prostate cancer markers that could enhance my treatment plan?
As you and your healthcare provider have created a prostate cancer treatment plan just for you, you may be wondering about prostate cancer marker tests (PCMs).
PCMs can provide additional insights about your prostate cancer treatment and help inform what you choose to do next. At this waypoint, there are PCMs available if you:
- have already had a prostatectomy
- are deciding to move forward with radiation
- have had radiation and have undergone another biopsy and need more information about possible next steps
Decipher RP
Decipher Radical Prostatectomy (RP) is a tissue based prostate cancer marker (PCM) than can be effective in helping a high-risk patient and their healthcare provider determine if additional treatment following radical prostatectomy could be effective.
If you are considering radiation, you might consider the following tests to help inform your treatment plan. Or, if you have had radiation and underwent another biopsy, the following PCM tests could help you and your healthcare provider assess whether you may need additional treatment down the line. However, many radiation oncologists may want to wait until your PSA rises +2ng/ml above the lowest point after your radiation to see if further biopsies or treatment are necessary.
Decipher
Also known as Decipher Biopsy, this genomic test analyzes individual tumor aggressiveness and combines it with an individual’s clinically validated prostate cancer-specific mortality risk and personal risk of metastasis.
Prolaris Score
The Prolaris Score for prostate cancer analyzes the biology of the prostate cancer tumor as well as how fast the cells in the tumor are dividing (cancer aggressiveness).
Genomic Prostate Score
GPS is a powerful test for men with organ confined prostate cancer looking for more insights about whether or not to pursue treatment or an active surveillance protocol.
Prostate Cancer Treatment FAQs
As you are actively treating your prostate cancer, you may have questions about PCMs, genetic testing, and more. Below is an initial list of frequently asked questions.
Prostate cancer biomarkers (PCMs) are molecules found in blood, tissue, or body fluids. PCMs are revolutionary new, non-invasive diagnostic tests that may help your healthcare provider decide if your prostate cancer is in fact low risk, if something more aggressive may be lurking in your prostate, or if there are hot spots in the prostate that may need to be re-evaluated upon biopsy. PCMs also can help you and your healthcare provider determine the most appropriate treatment for your cancer.
If you have had a prostatectomy and are at risk of your cancer spreading or recurring, the following PCMs could be helpful:
If your physician has recommended radiation to treat your prostate cancer, the following tests can help inform your treatment plan. Or, if you have had radiation and underwent another biopsy, these tissue-based tests could help you and your healthcare provider assess whether you may need additional treatment down the line. However, many radiation oncologists may want to wait until your PSA rises +2ng/ml above the lowest point after your radiation to see if further biopsies or treatment are necessary.