Waypoint 4: Prostate Cancer Treatment

You may still be worried or uncertain about your prostate cancer during treatment. PCMs provide more information, helping you feel confident about your decisions.

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 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

Find the right PC Markers for you. Take quiz.

PCM Tests During Treatment

PCM tests can be done while you are undergoing prostate cancer treatment to help inform your decisions. If you have had a prostatectomy and have been classified as high risk for recurrence, mortality, and/or metastasis, the following PCMs could be helpful:

Petri dish for tissue based prostate cancer marker

Decipher Prostate RP

This tissue-based test for high-risk patients helps determine the aggressiveness of a man’s prostate cancer and assess his personal risk of metastasis and mortality.

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.

Petri dish for tissue based prostate cancer marker

Decipher Biopsy

This tissue-based genomic test evaluates tumor aggressiveness and combines it with a man’s risk of metastasis and clinically validated prostate cancer-specific mortality risk.

Petri dish for tissue based prostate cancer marker

Prolaris

This tissue-based PCM test assesses the prostate cancer tumor biology and aggressiveness. This test can be conducted with the same tissue collected during a prostate cancer biopsy.

Petri dish for tissue based prostate cancer marker

Oncotype DX GPS

This tissue-based test looks for the activation of 17 specific genes associated with prostate cancer, providing insights for men with organ-confined prostate cancer.

Waypoint 4 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. You can also submit your question.

1. What are prostate cancer biomarkers (PCMs)?

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.

2. What prostate cancer biomarker (PCM) tests help decide my prostate cancer treatment options?

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.