.....after the usual urinary symptoms and appointments with an urologist and subsequent biopsy, I was diagnosed with prostate cancer in November last year...my 37 day contintuous radiotherapy treatment starts on March 7th.
My question is ....how do the professionals know that the cancer is gone at the end of the treatment.
If it takes blood test, physical examination, and biopsy to establish cancer is there in the first place , How is it proven that is has been successfully treated
Wait for squad to answer. An amateur answer would be a blood test. I really don't know, but OH had a prostate section and bloods seemed to be the defining answer.
This may help provide some initial information but please remember the response to such treatment is individual. Talk to youroncologist if you have one and those looking after your care during the radiotherapy treatment.
Proven by the PSA blood test, maybe 4 months after the end of radiotherapy and then every six months. There should be loads of leaflets and booklets for information around the urology department. Finding the right person to ask questions of can be tricky but find them and ask. Look out for a Maggie's centre at the hospital.
And best wishes and good luck.
To be honest......they don't know it has gone.
However all the answers above re.blood tests and MRI are the best guides and they are usually "on the ball."