Post op PSA rise

kmaly1

I would like to know if anyone has experience with this. I go to the same provider for lab results to analytical method the same. (quest). My Radical Prostatectomy was in May of 2024. Gleason Score 4+3 = 7. 3 lymph nodes negative and no indication it escaped capsule. Post op PSA was < 0.04 then 0.05 or 0.04 for duration until 10/31/26. PSA is now 0.08. I am concerned. What would be their next step?

Clevelandguy

Hi,

I would think the next step would be to take a few more reading spaced months apart to see if there is a upward trend. Could be a lab error or your PSA is slowly starting to increase. If it is increasing I would get a PMSA PET scan looking for metastasis of your cancer. The reading of .08 is still low and anything less than .1 is still considered to be undetectable.

Dave 3+4

Marlon

kmaly1, did your test results come back sayin .08 or did it say <.08 ? If the latter, that < indicates below the lab's detection limit of .08. Reporting detection limits can vary based on lab conditions the day of the analysis. I vape had numbers like <.01, <.008, <.08, <.03 - all considered as non-detects by my urologists.

Josephg

https://csn.cancer.org/discussion/329825/post-op-psa-rise

Not going to sugarcoat anything here for you. If you've used only 1 testing service, and if the PSA results are exactly as you wrote them down in this thread (pertaining to the < symbol), there is a good chance that the bandit is re-awakening in your body.

Certainly not time to panic at this point, but simply be aware, and let's see what your next PSA number is. If the number rises again, then I would recommend that you see a Medical Oncologist and discuss your potential options going forward and develop a treatment plan that works for you.

kmaly1

thank you for your support guys. I have an appointment with my urologist PA tomorrow. I am also a former lab tech who actually PSA’s 20 years ago on the Night Shift. I know we will do another PSA in three months.

Old Salt

As stated earlier, more PSA test results spaced apart by at least a month are needed to establish if there is a trend.

kmaly1

Agreed. I may ask for another sooner as mine is particularly aggressive.