1st post Prostatectomy PSA after sixty days

Wheel

I just received my first PSA 2 months after my prostatectomy. It was .04. Is it normal so soon after the prostatectomy for it to be at that level and will it continue to fall more. What were others 1st PSA and subsequent one.
Thanks Wheel

Marlon

Wheel, PSA is a measure of active prostate tissue anywhere in the body. if you have no prostate any more, it should be <.01 or non-detect. Did your doctor not discuss the results?

My first was non-detect and second one coming up end of month.

Wheel

I just had the blood test yesterday. The results get automatically posted into mychart. My appointment with the Doctor is next week to discuss.

Josephg

It is possible that your first post-prostatectomy PSA reading is not a valid result, but my experience says that it is not. I was 0.05 three months post-prostatectomy, and I've been fighting the Bandit for the 12 years that have followed.

Let's hope that your 1st PSA reading was an outlier.

Marlon

Here's a good link: https://www.webmd.com/prostate-cancer/psa-level-after-prostatectomy

Clevelandguy

Hi,

My doctor recently switched me to the ultra sensitive test, my score for the last three yearly tests was .05 which is considered undetectable and stable. Your Cowpers gland secretes a small amount of PSA. If it was me as long as your PSA stayed between .03-05 range, I would not worry about it. If over several readings your PSA is climbing, then look into it. I would be happy with a stable .04 over several readings.

Dave 3+4

Wheel

Thank you Dave for the encouragement

Wheel

Marlon, Thanks for the link. Clearly it would have taken a lot of anxiety away that I now have if it was .02 or less, but did read on healthlink that said ideally your post prostatectomy PSA would be undetectable or less than .05. I like seeing that it said less than .05, although it seems much is written about a .02 number and then watching doubling of your PSA and how quickly. I meet the Doctor next week so imagine it will be lets do another test in 90 days. I am good with that and hope this was an outlier, and the next test it goes down a lot, or some, remains the same.

Wheel

just reread my lab work and the PSA says <.04

I saw the .04 and got so fixated on the .04 after hearing so much about .02 and did not even see the < sign. My only question now is where do all these numbers come up like .02, or .01 or .03 if the report comes out <.04.

Marlon

It could be interpreted as the laboratory's detection level was .04, so <.04 would be non-detect. Labs can't really say "0" just that they couldn't measure below .04. Thats just my interpretation.

Old Salt

Good news, basically.

Time to relax, for a bit…

Wheel

absolutely right Old Salt!

Josephg

It is amazing how much difference the little "<" terminology definer makes!

Confirm with your doctor that the "<" means the lower limit of the test efficacy and put your mind at ease.

Helena101

I think that the < sign is a good indicator! Seems like your lab reads undetectable at <0.04. This would be amazing news. Did you confirm with tour Dr? I’m curious as my father’s first PSA is coming up in January (with ECE and positive margin).

Wheel

Helena,

I hope your father’s is as well!

Steve1961

hopefully this will ease your mind

PSA level less than 0.04 generally indicates a very low level of prostate-specific antigen in the blood, which is often considered "undetectable" and usually considered a good sign, particularly after prostate surgery where a low PSA level signifies minimal risk of cancer recurrence; however, it's crucial to consult your doctor for interpretation based on your individual medical history and situation. 

Helena101

https://csn.cancer.org/discussion/comment/1719083#Comment_1719083

So happy for you Wheel! You can now relax for a bit - enjoy!

My father’s is coming up early January, first PSA will be at 90 days, hoping for an undetectable as long as we can!