In the event that you have been diagnosed with prostate cancer, you might be curious about your prognosis. It is common practice to talk about prognostic and predictive elements simultaneously. For example, a prognostic factor is a feature of cancer or a trait of the person that the medical professional will actually take into account in determining a prognosis. Still, a predictive factor is something that determines whether a cancer is going to react to a given therapy. Both of these types of factors are taken into consideration by the doctor when establishing a prognosis.
Learn more about nomograms, PSA, and other important information concerning prostate cancer by reading the following.
Prostate-specific Antigen (PSA) Level
At the time of diagnosis, cancer that has not expanded beyond the prostate possesses an improved outlook than cancer that has already spread beyond the prostate. According to the findings of certain studies, a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level that is greater than what is considered normal may be indicative of a bad prognosis. This is due to the correlation between a high PSA level and an increased likelihood that prostate cancer may spread.
What exactly is meant by “PSA doubling time”?
The length of time it takes for the PSA level to double in value is referred to as the PSA doubling time. Take, for example, the following situation. A PSA doubling time of three years indicates that the PSA level will likely double once every three years on average. A worse prognosis is associated with doubling times that are shorter.
The Use of Nomograms
Nomograms are a type of statistical model that may forecast the likely results of an event. The cancer of the prostate risk assessment (CAPRA) nomogram is the tool that is most commonly employed by medical professionals to assist them in determining how likely it is that prostate cancer will spread, how likely it is that the patient will pass away from prostate cancer, and how best to treat the patient. That encompasses the following:
- the PSA level
- the Gleason score
- the percentage of biopsy samples that have cancer
- the stage
- your age when you are diagnosed
The concentrations of several substances in the blood
Did you know that the levels of specific molecules in the blood of men who have metastatic castrate-resistant prostate cancer might predict a poorer prognosis? They are as follows:
- low levels of hemoglobin
- increased levels of alkaline phosphatase
- increased levels of lactate dehydrogenase
- a low albumin level
It is imperative that you keep in mind how important it is to address anything related to your illness with your primary care physician. That way, you’ll have access to the very best medical care!
