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PSA. after surgery.

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User

Posted 28 Apr 2021 at 16:20

Originally Posted by: Online Community Member

Who are they? 0.1 is not undetectable. <0.1 is undetectable.

From an Analytical Chemistry point-of-view "undetectable" is a horribly incorrect phrase to use in this instance anyway since we all know that PSA IS detectable to 3 dps (but not on all systems) and they've quoted precision of 0.10, meaning the true value is between 0.095 and 0.104

_____

Two cannibals named Ectomy and Prost, all alone on a Desert island.

Prost was the strongest, so Prost ate Ectomy.

User

Posted 28 Apr 2021 at 16:38

In historic terms of PSA measurement anything less than 0.1 was considered undetectable. Ultra sensitive testing has muddied the water but old terms die hard.

My last USPSA test 2 years ago was 0.03 I have chosen to revert to the standard test because my medical team said they would not consider doing anything unless I got to 0.1 and I agreed with them hence I only have the standard (old) test now.

Next one is due soon already stressing!

User

Posted 28 Apr 2021 at 17:24

Originally Posted by: Online Community Member

PSA IS detectable to 3 dps (but not on all systems)

My understanding is that all the labs have the capacity to test to the lower limit - it is just that many Trusts choose not to report it beyond 1dp. No doubt if there was an exceptional reason for doing it, any lab would be able to pull an usPSA out of the bag because they are testing all samples to that sensitivity and then rounding up.

.... and / or it could just be that the person typing up Mike's result didn't know what the funny little sideways hat meant so didn't included it on the record - we have seen that happen here a number of times and it once happened to John :-/

"Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards." Soren Kierkegaard

User

Posted 30 Apr 2021 at 10:16

Just to update. Unless it goes over the .1 they don’t think it’s worth seeing an oncologist as they won’t do anything more than monitor at this stage but the fact it was G9 T3b obviously does put me at higher risk of residual disease or recurrence so they’re bringing my next test forward to two months after my last one which is now in about two weeks time. This will hopefully give further insight into the trend.

User

Posted 31 Oct 2021 at 20:55

Update on my PSA level.

it stayed at .1 for a couple of the tests but the latest one was .2. Waiting on oncologist appointment.

Presumably my options are limited and there’s not some new magic bullet.

We all live in hope. :-)

User

Posted 01 Nov 2021 at 13:13

My op was nearly 3 years ago and in that time my psa has risen slowly from undetectable to 0.7. My last test it had dropped to 0.6 which was good news!

My consultant has maintained during this time that he is not too concerned unless my psa jumps more than it has done previously or doubles within a test period (3 months), in which case I would have a petscan to pinpoint the area for treatment!

User

Posted 01 Nov 2021 at 13:18

That is great news that it’s gone down. I’ve been told aside from the doubling time they look at the Gleason score and earlier treatment is frequently used if it’s high. What was yours? Mine was 9.

User

Posted 01 Nov 2021 at 18:23

Originally Posted by: Online Community Member

My op was nearly 3 years ago and in that time my psa has risen slowly from undetectable to 0.7. My last test it had dropped to 0.6 which was good news!

My consultant has maintained during this time that he is not too concerned unless my psa jumps more than it has done previously or doubles within a test period (3 months), in which case I would have a petscan to pinpoint the area for treatment!

Viseo, are you saying that your urologist hasn't referred you to an oncologist yet? If so, that is shocking - you should ask for an oncology referral without delay!

"Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards." Soren Kierkegaard

User

Posted 02 Nov 2021 at 11:47

Hi Lyn,

Sorry I should have made my post a bit clearer, I've been under a consultant oncologist for nearly 2 years, ever since my psa went up to 0.2 and it is he who is happy to monitor my psa every 3 months.

User

Posted 02 Nov 2021 at 11:51

Hi Mike,

My gleason score was 4+4 when I had my op. I'm sure your consultant will do what's best for you, likewise I hope that my consultant oncologist is steering me towards the course thats best for me!!

All the best

Rob

User

Posted 02 Nov 2021 at 11:59

Thanks Rob, every case is different so we have to rely on their expertise to guide us through. That said I’m going to hit them up with a lot of questions!

Wishing you all the best and a positive outcome.

User

Posted 02 Nov 2021 at 14:29

Originally Posted by: Online Community Member

Hi Lyn,

Ha! That's a relief!

"Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards." Soren Kierkegaard

User

Posted 03 Dec 2021 at 14:26

Hi all.

I had my prostate removed in July 2020 and biopsy indicated the cancer had remained contained within the prostate gland.

My first PSA post operation in January 2021 gave a reading of 0.014 ug/L , my second reading in September 2021 showed a reading of 0.025 ug/ L.

I have to go for another PSA test this month so we will hopefully get an idea as to what is going on.

User

Posted 03 Dec 2021 at 18:24

What makes you think something is going on? These look like excellent PSA results!

"Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards." Soren Kierkegaard

User

Posted 03 Dec 2021 at 18:32

Yep. I'd love those readings!

User

Posted 03 Dec 2021 at 22:00

Phil you are right to be vigilant PSA after prostatectomy should be stable and ideally a "less than". You need to keep an eye on it.

Goforarun, with that 4+3 +margin and 0.1 you should be under an oncologist not a surgeon.

Lyn is stuck in the past re USPSA... Rising PSA after surgery is a red flag that should not be ignored. Certainly don't let your GP tell you 0.1 is "normal"!!

User

Posted 03 Dec 2021 at 23:44

Yeah I also thought that my PSA after radical surgery and a confirmed biopsy of not leakage out of the prostrate would mean my PSA would remain stable and not rise.

I accept its a low reading, but as I understand it should not rise ? lets see what my reading is in the next week or so. fingers crossed.

User

Posted 04 Dec 2021 at 00:12

Originally Posted by: Online Community Member

Phil you are right to be vigilant PSA after prostatectomy should be stable and ideally a "less than". You need to keep an eye on it.

Goforarun, with that 4+3 +margin and 0.1 you should be under an oncologist not a surgeon.

Lyn is stuck in the past re USPSA... Rising PSA after surgery is a red flag that should not be ignored. Certainly don't let your GP tell you 0.1 is "normal"!!

No, I am not stuck in the past; responses like yours encourage hysteria. You know perfectly well that usPSA has been discredited and more & more hospitals are dropping it in favour of 1 decimal place readings. You have no idea whether Phil's GP practice has missed the < sign, whether Phil has missed the <, whether the person typing up the results didn't know that the < was significant, whether he just produces a measurable amount of PSA from elsewhere in his body, when his last vaccine was, whether there is any evidence that the vaccine affects PSA, whether the hospital / GP has changed lab provider, whether lab provider has recalibrated the machines, whether the two samples were processed at different labs or even whether both blood samples were taken at the same time of day.

So at this stage, many possible explanations other than a recurrence

Edited by member 04 Dec 2021 at 00:24 | Reason: Fat fingers

"Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards." Soren Kierkegaard

User

Posted 04 Dec 2021 at 11:13

Goforarun, with that 4+3 +margin and 0.1 you should be under an oncologist not a surgeon.

I'm under a MDT at a leading Urology centre in London. The surgeon is the one I speak to at the moment. The trigger for salvage RT at that hospital is three consecutive rises above 0.1 or PSA of 0.2 or above. This hasn't happened yet. It's a concern, obviously, but I think they know what they are doing.

Edited by member 04 Dec 2021 at 11:14 | Reason: Not specified

User

Posted 04 Dec 2021 at 22:32

Hi there , I'm no expert as relatively new to all of this, all that said i think you are may be right you have had your PSA measured too soon after your radical prostate removal, I was told to wait for six months before having my first PSA reading ?

as ever with these things try not to worry too much I'm sure you will be fine and trust your specialist, I was operation on at one of the teaching hospitals in Sheffield and the team of experts have always been very reassuring and positive about early interventions when applicable.

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