I just did my every 6 month PSA test and received the result this morning. After the Davinci prostatectomy in September 2011 and salvage radiation exactly 8 years ago and being undetectable all those 8 years, I get a PSA of 0.014 via the patient portal. No (<) symbol. Since my previous PSA test 6 months ago my health care network has gone through a complete change of facilites and the patient portal is totally different than the old one. I'm hoping that missing (<) is just an overlooked detail that needs to be corrected going forward.
I meet with my uro on Monday for my annual visit and hopefully he'll have the answer for me.
Age 54 at dx PSA 7.6
Da Vinci Sept. 6, 2011
Gleason 3+4=7 Pre-op & Post-op Stage T3a
Undetectable PSA until April 2016
April 2016 PSA 0.05
July 13, 2016 PSA 0.1
July 21, 2016-6 month Lupron
Aug. 10, 2016 IMRT begins...33 sessions...66 Gy
Aug. 15, 2016 PSA 0.03
Sept. 19, 2016 <0.01
PSA undetectable since Sept. 2016
Steve, let's hope it's a clerical error. If not, that's still darned low, and I'd suspect they would want another check in a few months to confirm--and given your history of IMRT, I'd also suspect they will want to see it get higher before they start doing scans to find whatever is happening.
I'd say it's cause for low level concern, not yet for worry. Let's see what they say, and hope in 3 or 6 months another check brings back the "<".
Age at Diagnosis: 56
RALP on 2/17/15, BJC St. Louis, Dr. Figenshau
58.5g, G3+4, 20%, 4 quadrants involved
PSA Non-Detect since April, 2015
My Story: www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=35&m=3300024
I'd say it's cause for low level concern, not yet for worry. Let's see what they say, and hope in 3 or 6 months another check brings back the "<".
Age at Diagnosis: 56
RALP on 2/17/15, BJC St. Louis, Dr. Figenshau
58.5g, G3+4, 20%, 4 quadrants involved
PSA Non-Detect since April, 2015
My Story: www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=35&m=3300024
Hey Hal,
That's pretty much what I'm thinking too. Thanks
That's pretty much what I'm thinking too. Thanks
I wouldn't worry yet. It might just be a glitch. The important thing is to continue watching it to see if it increase, and how fast it increases.
My situation is like yours. I had GS of 7 (3+4) and surgery 12 years ago. Three yeas later my PSA hit 0.02 because of a 1mm positive margin, so I had IMRT/IGRT (39 session for a total of 72 grays). The following 12 years (to date) my PSA has been 0.02. My oncology urologist said, "at this rate I will die from old age".
Age 60, mpMRI 8/18/13 negative
biopsy 9/5/2013, PSA 6.2, 13 core of which 6 are postive
pT2pNO
daVinci 11/11/2013
path T2c N0 Stage IIB
PSA 0.1 to 11/15 then 0.2
11/2015 IGRT 39 sessions 72 grays. ZERO problems.
11/2021 PSA became detectable at 0.02 ng/ml
My situation is like yours. I had GS of 7 (3+4) and surgery 12 years ago. Three yeas later my PSA hit 0.02 because of a 1mm positive margin, so I had IMRT/IGRT (39 session for a total of 72 grays). The following 12 years (to date) my PSA has been 0.02. My oncology urologist said, "at this rate I will die from old age".
Age 60, mpMRI 8/18/13 negative
biopsy 9/5/2013, PSA 6.2, 13 core of which 6 are postive
pT2pNO
daVinci 11/11/2013
path T2c N0 Stage IIB
PSA 0.1 to 11/15 then 0.2
11/2015 IGRT 39 sessions 72 grays. ZERO problems.
11/2021 PSA became detectable at 0.02 ng/ml
Steve, before this last reading, when you were getting the "<", was it always <.014, or was it < some other number? If it was always <.014, then I think there's a good chance it was a mistake and they just left off the <. Fingers crossed. Worst case, nothing to do now except retest , maybe in 3 months.
I am not a doctor, just a guy without a prostate
Dx Age 64 Nov 2014, PSA 4.3
BX 3 of 12 cores positive original pathology G6
RALP Jan 6, 2015
Post surgical pathology G7 (3+4), - ECE, - Margins, -LN, -SV
PSA @ 6 weeks 2/15, <02, remained <0.02 until 1/2017, .02, repeat 2/2017, still .02. 5/2017-.033, 8/August 2017- .033 8/17 .046, 3/2018 .060. 6/2018 .068, July 2018 - .08, 8/ 2018, .078, Start ADT+SRT.
Sept 2018 thru May 2022 –PSA = <.05
Decipher test, low risk, .37 score
My story.... tinyurl.com/45w7789x
Every day’s a bonus – Sonny3
I am not a doctor, just a guy without a prostate
Dx Age 64 Nov 2014, PSA 4.3
BX 3 of 12 cores positive original pathology G6
RALP Jan 6, 2015
Post surgical pathology G7 (3+4), - ECE, - Margins, -LN, -SV
PSA @ 6 weeks 2/15, <02, remained <0.02 until 1/2017, .02, repeat 2/2017, still .02. 5/2017-.033, 8/August 2017- .033 8/17 .046, 3/2018 .060. 6/2018 .068, July 2018 - .08, 8/ 2018, .078, Start ADT+SRT.
Sept 2018 thru May 2022 –PSA = <.05
Decipher test, low risk, .37 score
My story.... tinyurl.com/45w7789x
Every day’s a bonus – Sonny3
Hey Ken,
It was always <0.01......just 2 decimal places.
VIEW IMAGE
The image shows show the result is displayed on my patient portal now.
It was always <0.01......just 2 decimal places.
VIEW IMAGE
The image shows show the result is displayed on my patient portal now.
Did you always go to labcorp?
Was this most recent test using the same “ROCHE ECLIA“methodology as the previous tests?
I would not bet on a missing sign but there is not anything you can do about it at such low levels except test again. So instead if waiting 6 months, do 3 months to minimize chances of missing big moves.
Age 52 7/2019, PSA 5.5
Biopsy 4/12 positive, G8
RALP 10/2019 G9 (4+5). SVI- EPE+ Clean margins. 9 nodes clean. T3aN0M0
3/20-4/20 IMRT 68 Gy (during Covid) 1/20--7/20 Lupron
PSA: 11/19: 0.10, 1/20:0.11, 8/20: <0.02, 1/21: <0.02, 4/21: 0.07, 7/21 0.18, 9/21 0.3, 11/21 0.48, 2/22 0.56, 5/22 0.74, 8/22 1.01, 11/22 1.36, 2/23 1.87
8/22 and 2/23 Psma Pet: met(s) in lung
4/23 lupron, xtandi psa<0.02
Was this most recent test using the same “ROCHE ECLIA“methodology as the previous tests?
I would not bet on a missing sign but there is not anything you can do about it at such low levels except test again. So instead if waiting 6 months, do 3 months to minimize chances of missing big moves.
Age 52 7/2019, PSA 5.5
Biopsy 4/12 positive, G8
RALP 10/2019 G9 (4+5). SVI- EPE+ Clean margins. 9 nodes clean. T3aN0M0
3/20-4/20 IMRT 68 Gy (during Covid) 1/20--7/20 Lupron
PSA: 11/19: 0.10, 1/20:0.11, 8/20: <0.02, 1/21: <0.02, 4/21: 0.07, 7/21 0.18, 9/21 0.3, 11/21 0.48, 2/22 0.56, 5/22 0.74, 8/22 1.01, 11/22 1.36, 2/23 1.87
8/22 and 2/23 Psma Pet: met(s) in lung
4/23 lupron, xtandi psa<0.02
Post Edited (Stephen S) : 10/2/2024 7:29:00 AM (GMT-4)
Hi Stephen S,
Until the past year all of my testing was done at Tulane Hospital lab in New Orleans. In the past year they have merged with a couple of other facilities. As I mentioned earlier, The locations have changed and I have no idea if they used LabCorp previously or the Roche methodology.
Definitely not betting on the misplaced "<" symbol, but hoping that's the case.
Until the past year all of my testing was done at Tulane Hospital lab in New Orleans. In the past year they have merged with a couple of other facilities. As I mentioned earlier, The locations have changed and I have no idea if they used LabCorp previously or the Roche methodology.
Definitely not betting on the misplaced "<" symbol, but hoping that's the case.
So all of these machines are not exactly the same. Just by virtue of the fact they spun it through a different machine might explain it.If they had used that machine for the past however many years it may have always read 0.014
Look at it again in 3 months. Try not to worry, which I know is easier said than done. That is the absolute limit of detectability. Your less than sign might reappear.
good for you, by the way, for keeping an eye out.
Age 52 7/2019, PSA 5.5
Biopsy 4/12 positive, G8
RALP 10/2019 G9 (4+5). SVI- EPE+ Clean margins. 9 nodes clean. T3aN0M0
3/20-4/20 IMRT 68 Gy (during Covid) 1/20--7/20 Lupron
PSA: 11/19: 0.10, 1/20:0.11, 8/20: <0.02, 1/21: <0.02, 4/21: 0.07, 7/21 0.18, 9/21 0.3, 11/21 0.48, 2/22 0.56, 5/22 0.74, 8/22 1.01, 11/22 1.36, 2/23 1.87
8/22 and 2/23 Psma Pet: met(s) in lung
4/23 lupron, xtandi psa<0.02
Look at it again in 3 months. Try not to worry, which I know is easier said than done. That is the absolute limit of detectability. Your less than sign might reappear.
good for you, by the way, for keeping an eye out.
Age 52 7/2019, PSA 5.5
Biopsy 4/12 positive, G8
RALP 10/2019 G9 (4+5). SVI- EPE+ Clean margins. 9 nodes clean. T3aN0M0
3/20-4/20 IMRT 68 Gy (during Covid) 1/20--7/20 Lupron
PSA: 11/19: 0.10, 1/20:0.11, 8/20: <0.02, 1/21: <0.02, 4/21: 0.07, 7/21 0.18, 9/21 0.3, 11/21 0.48, 2/22 0.56, 5/22 0.74, 8/22 1.01, 11/22 1.36, 2/23 1.87
8/22 and 2/23 Psma Pet: met(s) in lung
4/23 lupron, xtandi psa<0.02
I've never needed to learn about the various PSA analyzer devices because I've been undetectable for most of my journey. My results have always less than the limit of detectability and that's pretty much all that mattered to me. I'll see the uro on Monday and have him show me the actual reading and take it from there. Thanks for the input and I hope you have good luck with your case!
Keep us posted Steve, fingers crossed for you
I am not a doctor, just a guy without a prostate
Dx Age 64 Nov 2014, PSA 4.3
BX 3 of 12 cores positive original pathology G6
RALP Jan 6, 2015
Post surgical pathology G7 (3+4), - ECE, - Margins, -LN, -SV
PSA @ 6 weeks 2/15, <02, remained <0.02 until 1/2017, .02, repeat 2/2017, still .02. 5/2017-.033, 8/August 2017- .033 8/17 .046, 3/2018 .060. 6/2018 .068, July 2018 - .08, 8/ 2018, .078, Start ADT+SRT.
Sept 2018 thru May 2022 –PSA = <.05
Decipher test, low risk, .37 score
My story.... tinyurl.com/45w7789x
Every day’s a bonus – Sonny3
I am not a doctor, just a guy without a prostate
Dx Age 64 Nov 2014, PSA 4.3
BX 3 of 12 cores positive original pathology G6
RALP Jan 6, 2015
Post surgical pathology G7 (3+4), - ECE, - Margins, -LN, -SV
PSA @ 6 weeks 2/15, <02, remained <0.02 until 1/2017, .02, repeat 2/2017, still .02. 5/2017-.033, 8/August 2017- .033 8/17 .046, 3/2018 .060. 6/2018 .068, July 2018 - .08, 8/ 2018, .078, Start ADT+SRT.
Sept 2018 thru May 2022 –PSA = <.05
Decipher test, low risk, .37 score
My story.... tinyurl.com/45w7789x
Every day’s a bonus – Sonny3
Pratoman said...
Keep us posted Steve, fingers crossed for you
I sure will....thanks Ken.......Go Jets!
Just imagine that your lab is one that gives out a score of <0.04 as undetectable. You wouldn't have to worry.
Best of luck going forward undetectable.
Best of luck going forward undetectable.
It is all on the right side of the decimal point and with a zero first to boot. Sounds good to me. I've never had a PSA that low. Happy for ya.
Thanks GoBucks and LargeBill68......I should get some clarification tomorrow (Monday) morning at my uro visit.
NolaVette said...
Pratoman said...
hanks Ken.......Go Jets!
Bad timing LOLOL> I hate being a Jets fan
I am not a doctor, just a guy without a prostate
Dx Age 64 Nov 2014, PSA 4.3
BX 3 of 12 cores positive original pathology G6
RALP Jan 6, 2015
Post surgical pathology G7 (3+4), - ECE, - Margins, -LN, -SV
PSA @ 6 weeks 2/15, <02, remained <0.02 until 1/2017, .02, repeat 2/2017, still .02. 5/2017-.033, 8/August 2017- .033 8/17 .046, 3/2018 .060. 6/2018 .068, July 2018 - .08, 8/ 2018, .078, Start ADT+SRT.
Sept 2018 thru May 2022 –PSA = <.05
Decipher test, low risk, .37 score
My story.... tinyurl.com/45w7789x
Every day’s a bonus – Sonny3
I saw the doc this morning and the missing "<" symbol was not an oversight or clerical mistake. Although the reading is an extremely low PSA number, Dr. Morrison admitted the 0.014 result is technically not "undetectable". The plan is to do another PSA test in 3 months. Hopefully I'll be able to recover that all important less-than sign!
Age 54 at dx PSA 7.6
Da Vinci Sept. 6, 2011
Gleason 3+4=7 Pre-op & Post-op Stage T3a
Undetectable PSA until April 2016
April 2016 PSA 0.05
July 13, 2016 PSA 0.1
July 21, 2016-6 month Lupron
Aug. 10, 2016 IMRT begins...33 sessions...66 Gy
Aug. 15, 2016 PSA 0.03
Sept. 19, 2016 <0.01
PSA undetectable since Sept. 2016
Age 54 at dx PSA 7.6
Da Vinci Sept. 6, 2011
Gleason 3+4=7 Pre-op & Post-op Stage T3a
Undetectable PSA until April 2016
April 2016 PSA 0.05
July 13, 2016 PSA 0.1
July 21, 2016-6 month Lupron
Aug. 10, 2016 IMRT begins...33 sessions...66 Gy
Aug. 15, 2016 PSA 0.03
Sept. 19, 2016 <0.01
PSA undetectable since Sept. 2016
Steve, Oh well, I guess it's now back to the waiting game, after all these years. Keep on keepin' on.
Age at Diagnosis: 56
RALP on 2/17/15, BJC St. Louis, Dr. Figenshau
58.5g, G3+4, 20%, 4 quadrants involved
PSA Non-Detect since April, 2015
My Story: www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=35&m=3300024
Age at Diagnosis: 56
RALP on 2/17/15, BJC St. Louis, Dr. Figenshau
58.5g, G3+4, 20%, 4 quadrants involved
PSA Non-Detect since April, 2015
My Story: www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=35&m=3300024
0.014 is very very low.
Try to use the same lab each time, so it is an apples to apples comparison from last time.
After a while, assuming it is actually increasing, they will start calculating things like doubling time.
For now, its on the backburner, and its time to get back to *life*.
Age 52 7/2019, PSA 5.5
Biopsy 4/12 positive, G8
RALP 10/2019 G9 (4+5). SVI- EPE+ Clean margins. 9 nodes clean. T3aN0M0
3/20-4/20 IMRT 68 Gy (during Covid) 1/20--7/20 Lupron
PSA: 11/19: 0.10, 1/20:0.11, 8/20: <0.02, 1/21: <0.02, 4/21: 0.07, 7/21 0.18, 9/21 0.3, 11/21 0.48, 2/22 0.56, 5/22 0.74, 8/22 1.01, 11/22 1.36, 2/23 1.87
8/22 and 2/23 Psma Pet: met(s) in lung
4/23 lupron, xtandi psa<0.02
Try to use the same lab each time, so it is an apples to apples comparison from last time.
After a while, assuming it is actually increasing, they will start calculating things like doubling time.
For now, its on the backburner, and its time to get back to *life*.
Age 52 7/2019, PSA 5.5
Biopsy 4/12 positive, G8
RALP 10/2019 G9 (4+5). SVI- EPE+ Clean margins. 9 nodes clean. T3aN0M0
3/20-4/20 IMRT 68 Gy (during Covid) 1/20--7/20 Lupron
PSA: 11/19: 0.10, 1/20:0.11, 8/20: <0.02, 1/21: <0.02, 4/21: 0.07, 7/21 0.18, 9/21 0.3, 11/21 0.48, 2/22 0.56, 5/22 0.74, 8/22 1.01, 11/22 1.36, 2/23 1.87
8/22 and 2/23 Psma Pet: met(s) in lung
4/23 lupron, xtandi psa<0.02
Stephen S said...
0.014 is very very low.
Try to use the same lab each time, so it is an apples to apples comparison from last time.
After a while, assuming it is actually increasing, they will start calculating things like doubling time.
For now, its on the backburner, and its time to get back to *life*.
It'll defintely be the same lab for all future tests. Yes.....very low....right at the threshold of detectablility it appears, and that's after my previous PSA test on April 5, a full 6 months and that's as high as it got. As they say "It is what it is".