Prostate cancer: post-operative PSA tests

[williamwright]

After the prostate and other bits have been removed the PSA should fall to a very low figure. It could be a hundredth of the figure that some labs can detect. So every three months for years the figure comes back as less than 0.1. When it reaches 0.1 the threshold for further treatment is reached. This can come as a shock. However, some labs can detect down to 0.004. In that case, the PSA can be properly tracked. If it doubles every three months you get plenty of warning that you will eventually need further treatment. I advise any post-op prostate patient to ask to see the PSA figures. If it's a row of 0.1, 0.1, 0.1 ask if you can use the phlebotomists at a big hospital that has modern methods of assaying the bloods.

Bill

[Fredxx]

I'm surprised at the levels you're quoting. They seemed low and after checking the consensus is 0 to 4 (ng/ml) is normal. Thankfully mine is low.

Can anything more be removed if 'everything' has already been removed? What does your GP say? A regime of radiotherapy to catch the last straggling cancer cells?

[williamwright]

These are post-op figures. Much lower than pre-op.

The problem is that even when the prostate, part of the urethra, part of the sphincter muscles, and lymph nodes have been removed there might still be stray cancer cells left. Hopefully these have not moved from the prostate bed.

Nothing to do with the GP. It's all dealt with by the cancer hospital.

A regime of radiotherapy to catch the last

Yes. The national guideline for starting is 0.1.

Bill

[The Other John]

Mine continues to be reported as <0.1 two years after hormone and radiotherapy. They say it's too low to measure acurately.

[Fredxx]

Thanks, I live and learn.

[williamwright]

Your bloods are being analysed by a machine that can't detect levels (or a rise) below 0.1.

Bill