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PSA update

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Prostate Cancer
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uncledan
Regular Member
Joined : Aug 2007
Posts : 120
Posted 2/21/2008 9:51 AM (GMT -7)
I had my six month PSA test yesterday. The result were 0.04. This is higher than I had in my two earlier tests. Both earlier tests were 0.00 and all tests were taken at the same lab. Question! Is this something to be worried about? My Uro said Great, I was doing well, however he is not the one who had the cancer. Uncle Dan
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Mike A
Regular Member
Joined : Feb 2007
Posts : 213
Posted 2/21/2008 6:07 PM (GMT -7)
Uncle Dan,
My PSA went from 0.02 to 0.04, and despite the assurances that all was well, I was worried about the upward trend. However they were right, at my next check it was back down to 0.02 and it has stayed there since. My Doc says until it gets to 0.1 it's still listed as undetectable. Relax and don't worry.....I know it's easier said than done.
Best,
Mike
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Tim G
Veteran Member
Joined : Jul 2006
Posts : 2945
Posted 2/21/2008 6:43 PM (GMT -7)
Most urologists consider a PSA below 0.1 ng/mL to be negative.  So the difference between 0.00 and 0.04 is insignificant, since both are below 0.1.

This testing is using the ultrasensitive PSA test.  My follow-up PSA's have all been done with the standard PSA test, which measures to the nearest 0.1 ng/mL. 

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uncledan
Regular Member
Joined : Aug 2007
Posts : 120
Posted 2/25/2008 4:10 PM (GMT -7)
Thanks, I guess it is just easy to worry about it starting all over again somewhere else. Thanks Again, Uncle Dan
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sween76
Regular Member
Joined : Feb 2007
Posts : 60
Posted Yesterday 5:29 PM (GMT -7)

How do you know or what question should you ask to determine if the test is "ultrasensitive"

If my results were 0.02 and 0.01 does it automatically mean it is an ultrasensitive test?

Thanks in advance for any answers.

Ed

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CaPCa
Regular Member
Joined : Aug 2007
Posts : 118
Posted Yesterday 7:39 PM (GMT -7)
In general, any PSA result that can give a lower number than 0.1 is "ultra-sensitive", at least that's my understanding. I had originally requested the "standard" test from my local urologist because a) I had a good pathology report, and b) I thought I would fret over possibly more "noise" in the movements of PSA results over time. However, what I received the ultra-sensitive type.

The question is a bit more complicated as there have been several generations of lab equipment and assays. I don't have a link to post, but a quick search on "PSA ultra sensitive" should bring up a lot on the subject. There is more than one generation of equipment of the ultra-sensitive variety, and variations between equipment manufacturers as well. I found it useful to actually look up the specs of the equipment used on my PSA result, which was right there on the report. I also learned that there is a lot of variance in the results when the reported PSA level is near the lowest level of sensitivity for that particular equipment/assay, hence the importance of knowing which machine was used. There is a term "functional sensitivity" which is the level that test results are repeatable for a given test, and this level is higher than then the lowest sensitivity specified. For example, a test that has a sensitivity of "<0.008ng/ml" may yield a result of 0.009 for a particular man, but that number may vary greatly over multiple tests. On the other hand, a result of 0.015 may be very reproducible. This is just an example.

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bluebird
Veteran Member
Joined : May 2006
Posts : 2543
Posted 3/10/2008 6:57 PM (GMT -7)
  Yea!! Uncle Dan & Loved Ones ,   6 th Month     PSA   !!! ~~~ >>>   Woo ~ Hoo <<< ~~~ !!! undetectable   Cause for celebration!!!!!   Definitely!!!    What a wonderful day it is ~ each and every-day ….     Enjoy it to the fullest.     *      *      *      *      *      * The ultimate “goal”… we all strive for… Thank you for sharing! It is very important to “all ”of us!   This is a way of positive feedback… A way of showing others Hope… and a way of Sharing.   J       Caring is Sharing ~   Thank You for Sharing   J     Hey Uncle Dan, Here’s a thread that might give you a little info... and will help new members when they find us!  Thread started by: Opie   Low level PSA after surgery   Threads by: uncledan 08-26-07 Prostate cancer surgery 01-19-08   Age limit 11-29-07   Second post surgery PSA 09-26-07   First PSA since Surgery   Thank you for continuing to share and contribute to this wonderful place ~ HealingWell. In Friendship ~ Lee & Buddy
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41diagnosed
Regular Member
Joined : Jun 2007
Posts : 176
Posted 3/11/2008 3:10 AM (GMT -7)
Uncle Dan,

I just got the same 6 mo. PSA .04 result and went through a terrible weekend of anxiety and fear. I emailed my surgeon and here is his response:

"With the current technology used in commercial PSA assays, it is very hard to measure PSA concentrations below 0.1 ng/ml. Therefore, anything less than 0.1 is the same as zero. Some assays provide results to two or three decimal places, but it is wishful thinking. In most instances, a PSA reading of 0.04 is essentially the same as zero."

Sure hope he is right! :)
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