When is follow-up after prostate cancer treatment recommended?

Appointments commonly include a discussion of urinary, bowel, sexual, hormonal, and general symptoms. Your clinician may review a prostate-specific antigen test, called PSA, because a changing PSA pattern can provide useful information after treatment. The meaning of a result depends on whether you had surgery, radiotherapy, hormone treatment, or a combination.

Surveillance is tailored rather than identical for everyone. Early visits may focus on healing and treatment effects, while later reviews continue to assess PSA and new symptoms. Imaging or other tests are considered when examination, symptoms, or PSA findings give a reason to investigate further.

Keep each appointment and bring a current list of medicines, supplements, and symptoms. Record changes in urine flow, leakage, bowel habits, erections, hot flushes, mood, energy, or bone discomfort. Ask which PSA test is needed, when it should be taken, and who will explain the result.

Continue the recovery plan agreed with your team, including pelvic-floor exercises or support for sexual function when advised. Do not wait for the next routine review to report a persistent or worsening change.

Contact your cancer team promptly for new or worsening difficulty passing urine, blood in the urine or bowel movement, persistent bone or back pain, unexplained weakness, or a significant change in your usual health. Seek urgent help for inability to pass urine, severe pain, heavy bleeding, or sudden weakness or numbness.

Ask: What is my follow-up schedule? Which PSA pattern would lead to another test? Which treatment effects should improve, and which may need support? Who should I contact between appointments?