How does a PSA test work if prostate is removed?

Debib:

If prostate is removed and the surgery is successful the PSA will remain undetectable.  If, however, the surgery was not successful and the cancer returns the PSA will begin to rise.  This actually applies to any of the treatment modalities except that they may not have nadirs of 0.00.

Dutch

Debib,

Here's an excerpt from Brady Urology Institute report,

'PSA is very sensitive in detecting any recurrence of cancer. That's because only prostate cells make PSA -- so if it goes up after a radical prostatectomy, it means prostate cells are still present somewhere. For all intents and purposes, it means that a few cells escaped the prostate before it was removed, and now have grown to the point where they're producing enough PSA to be detected,'' explains Walsh.

The complete paper can be found here,


http://www.phoenix5.org/Basics/psaPostSurgery.html

Hope this helps,

Dave M.