Not sure ? PSA bounce?

Hi Everyone,

I thought I may as well try to get my mind settled by asking a few questions here.

As you can see from our signature, my husband's PSA (18 months) was due now - it came back now as 0.03. I know there can be a "bounce" at this time, and I have read (and contributed) to the posts about ultra-sensitive testing. We all have different views of the post surgery reporting of <.1 and how far it should be reported back to etc, so I understand it varies. But we have only ever had the ultrasensitive test reporting to 2 decimal places, so just work with that from 0.01 onwards...  

However, I have today written urgently to the nurse who I met 2 years ago when my husband was looking for a specialist (She works for the Surgeon) , asking for an immediate appointment by email now;  and my husband is down getting a referral from family doctor (GP) now,  as 6 months ago the PSA was 0.02. I hope we don't get brushed off or have to wait months for an appointment...

Anyway, what do you think? Is there any need to worry as much as I am worrying now?

Thanks for all veterans (and others) for your wisdom in commenting on this one. I am worrying to the max.. (maximum, that is..)  Thanks to you all once again. Lana

 

PS.  Just to repeat question:  Is a rise from 0.01 - 0.03 post surgery in 18 months a rise or a bounce or bad in any way????????? or signify the need for adjunct treatment?

Any thoughts or experiences appreciated by us.

I just noticed your PSA numbers for 18 months are the same as mine were for that period and at 24 months I got 0.04. Anyway, stay cool try not to stress to much about it.

I hate what this disease does to our minds if we let it, and that we seem to get scared and anxious over these ultra sensitive test numbers. My doctor said anything under 0.10 he could care less about and not to even worry until that happens, as there are plenty of options at that point if it happens. It has been two years for me since surgery 10/12/06 and the PSA after surgery was 0.01 and then each three months it was 0.02 then 0.03 and now two years later it's 0.04. I know it's hard to not get stressed over these numbers, I sure have. It makes me not enjoy the gift of life and the blessings I have right now. I am not going to let these numbers waste my time on thinking of what horrible fate can await me and play mental what if? I am going to enjoy and live my life the best I can today.
Age 57 Diagnosed PSA 4.4
Davinci 10/12/08
Stage T1 Supposed to been ok, cancer only in the prostate so they said. Here is nice article that helped ease my mind. Enjoy your life now, don't save it for tomorrow, now is the time! God Bless You my friend.
http://www.phoenix5.org/Basics/psaPostSurgery.html

Post Edited (56pontiac) : 10/15/2008 6:36:10 PM (GMT-6)

Just my opinion.....a move from .01 to .03 at 18 months would basically be just "noise" in my book. Keep getting tested as your doc recommends, but PSA can move around for no good reason. I wouldn't want to jump in and treat ANY movement in PSA before it hit .2. (Different shools of thought use a different number, but I've nenver heard a number at .03, especially with a clean path report). I kind of like the older tests post treatment that say anything under .1 is undetectable.

To answer your question, yes, you are worring too much --- you guys caught this way early, there wasn't much cancer there to begin with, your husband had successful nerve-sparing surgery, and the post-op tests have given you very good numbers. Count your blessings, chill out, and don't worry about the little movements that may or may NOT mean a thing at this point. If you have a problem down the road, they'll be plenty of time to worry and seek treatment later.

Drinving yourself nuts over little movements like that don't cure cancer --- I tried that, and it didn't work!

I agree. There may be some noise, lab error, a different assay being used, small amount of tissue in the prostate bed, the cowper's gland. There are other reasons for small increases following surgery that turn out to be nothing. Watching for a tend is always a wise move though. We'll hope for that! PSA bounces occur with radiation.

Swim

Hi Lana and CJ,

A watchful eye is what's needed here.  I echo the sentiments that say a variation as slight as this is is not enough to take action.  But a continued rise will be.  So keep a good eye on it.

I hope you guys are doing well, though.  I always read your posts and love hearing from our upside down friends. .

Stay well, and you know what else I will say ~ stay positive!

Tony

Hi guys! Always great to see your posts! Lana-You have always been so positive and such a source of comfort for so many! I wanted to let you know that I understand your concern, not because there is necessarily need for concern, but because as victims of this disease, we are ALWAYS going to be concerned for our loved ones. So, I hope the most recent PSA is just noise and that the next PSAs will be undetectable where they belong. Keep the faith and we will keep pulling for you both! Love to you and your family!

I, too, have seen a rise in my PSA after my surgery in June 2007.  First test in Sept 07 was <.01, but in Mar 08 it was <.02.  Then last month it was up to .07.  Even so, my Dr said not to worry -- my path report was negative at the margins and there could be a lot of reasons for the rise other than recurrence.  I'm scheduled for another test in Jan.  I can't say I'm completely worry-free but for the moment I'm trying to follow his advice.  Thanks for the article, BillyMac.

I'm keeping my fingers crossed for all of us who have not been lucky enough to catch a consistent string of goose eggs.     

Hi Everyone,

Not sure how to change the title of this post, but I now understand that a PSA bounce may occur after radiation not surgery, so the title of this post is incorrect.

However just an update on my husband's repeat PSA today December 2. My husband had a repeat PSA to check the callibration of the machines currently used in the testing lab, and after an initial result of 0.03 in October, the result has now come back at 0.02 (late November) which means it is unchanged since April. We now have the reassurance that instructions to callibrate carefully will be written on any future referral forms due to the ultrasensitive tests used, and our desire to monitor even slight increases. Many thanks to all for the information above as it really helped at the time and doctors now on side and understand our concerns. It was worth checking the reading for us, for peace of mind if nothing else. So another undetectable result. Thankfully no more blood tests until next checkup in April 09. cheers, Lana & CJ

For lana and CJ:

Bill