How low a PSA? What is the new "normal"?

JackWest
JackWest Member Posts: 4 Member
in Prostate Cancer #1

My PSA is 0.2 after having radiation treatment now just over 2 years ago. Interested also in this metric. Most of my usual body functions are fully changed from "normal" in one way or another after the 27 days of radiation. Almost everything. I am interested in chat with similar men and situations. I am 79.

Any men that want to chat please reach out. Thank you.

Comments

  • Clevelandguy
    Clevelandguy Member Posts: 1,205 Member
    #2

    Hi,

    Since you had radiation your PSA will never be undetectable but hopefully stabilize to a certain level. Look for the long stable trend which could fluctuate some from test to test. Good luck..

    Dave 3+4

  • Marlon
    Marlon Member Posts: 126 Member
    #3

    PSA is a measure of prostate tissue, not necessarily cancer. Since you still have a prostate, you will have a non-zero PSA. It's the rate of change over time that is an indicator of new and potentially cancerous growth. My friends who have had radiation would be very happy with a PSA as low as yours after two years.

  • Oldernow
    Oldernow Member Posts: 49 Member
    #4

    I am 77 and 18 months past 28 prostate radiation treatments. PSA has stayed at <.03 (considered undetectable). My understanding is that the test itself can't assign a number to anything less than .03 so they tack on the "less than" to indicate that.

  • Old Salt
    Old Salt Member Posts: 1,530 Member
    #5

    As several have pointed out, an irradiated prostate still produces PSA. Only when the PSA reaches nadir + 2 is there reason for concern and possibly intervention.

    A slow decay is good, obviously, but a steady state is fine as well . Mine has been around 1.0 ng/ml for several years. I am NOT complaining (and hope that it will stay in that area).

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