PSA update

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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Age 67
DRE negative, 10 - 06 PSA 5.44, 01 - 07 PSA 6.47
5 - 07 CT and Bone scans negative, 05 - 07 Biopsies, 2 of 6 positive
Gleason Score (3+4) 7 Stage T1c
08 - 14 Da Vinci RAP, five hours surgery
Some right nerve and all left nerve removed,
8 -16 Negative margins, Encapsulated, 50% left side
Lymph nodes 2 R & 1 L - Negative, R & L seminal vesicles - Negative
Gleason changed (4+3) 7 closer to 8 than 6
9 - 26 1st PSA 0.00 11 - 28 2nd PSA 0.00 Some stress drips

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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June 2005 - Age 53 PSA 4.8 at regular physical October 2005 - After several rounds of anti-biotics, PSA 5.2 at Urlogist November 2005 - Biopsy negative July 2006 - PSA 5.9 at regular Physical October 2006 - After several more rounds of anti-biotics PSA 8.1 November 2006 - Second biopsy - Positive December 2006 - Gleason (3+4=7), Tumor T1c, CT Scan and Bone Scan Negative
January 2, 2007 Robotic Prostatectomy, University of Rochester Medical Center - Tumor confined but larger than thought, only one nerve able to be spared. Margins clear. February 2007 - Three to fo ur pads a day, no erection with viagara. April 2007 - First Post-Surgical PSA 0.02. Down to one pad a day.July, 2007 - Six Month Post-op: PSA 0.04 No change in ED. October, 2007 - Nine Month Post-op: PSA back down to 0.02!Almost totally dry! Only slight improvement in ED - Will try injections if not improved by next appointment. January 2008: One Year Post-OP PSA 0.02 still dripping, but improving. Tried 500 dose of MUSE for ED, no luck. Will try 1000.

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.

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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Age 67
DRE negative, 10 - 06 PSA 5.44, 01 - 07 PSA 6.47
5 - 07 CT and Bone scans negative, 05 - 07 Biopsies, 2 of 6 positive
Gleason Score (3+4) 7 Stage T1c
08 - 14 Da Vinci RAP, five hours surgery
Some right nerve and all left nerve removed,
8 -16 Negative margins, Encapsulated, 50% left side
Lymph nodes 2 R & 1 L - Negative, R & L seminal vesicles - Negative
Gleason changed (4+3) 7 closer to 8 than 6
9 - 26 1st PSA 0.00 11 - 28 2nd PSA 0.00 Some stress drips

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

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.

 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

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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