pop the cork for a 1st post-op PSA of <0.01 ng/ML?

Hi -- Just got the lab result for my first PSA test since my Johns Hopkins' RRP early January: <0.01 ng/ML. I just faxed it up to my Hopkins surgeon and per his request he'll discuss it with me in coming days. Admit I was slightly disappointed the result doesn't get me in the zero club (0.000?), first choice, or "undetectable," second choice. Does <0.01ng/ML mean the test did find one or more cancer cells? Or should I grab a Martinelli carbonated apple cider today and celebrate my continuing good luck?

I had surgery Feb 9 (not at JH) to remove basal cell skin cancer on my nose. Would residual inflammation from that skin cancer removal procedure 6-7 weeks ago have any impact on my 3/23/15 <0.01 ng/ML PSA score? I don't think I ever mentioned the skin cancer removal Feb 9 date to my surgeon when he asked me around Jan 9th to get a PSA test this week. Like sex the night before a PSA test is a no-no, is surgery 6-7 weeks before a PSA test another no-no? Thanks for any comments.

Bill Positive

______________________________
[Sig Block revised 3-27-15]

age 70
diagnosed 8-8-14

RRP 1-12-15, Johns Hopkins.

Prostate cancer "capsule contained"
per final JH pathology report, 1-14-2015.

PSA history: 1/08 4.6; 4/08 6.4; 7/08 3.5;
12/09 2.5; 2/11 4.4; 4/12 3.2; 4/14 5.4;
8/14 5.1; 9/3/14 4.9; 10/13/14 5.7;
3/23/2015 <0.01

Pathology Report (9/12/2014, Johns Hopkins,
Jonathan Epstein) on 7/28/2014 biopsy slides.
6 cores Gleason 6 (3+3),
A. prostatic adenocarcinoma, 90%, 80%
B. prostatic adenocarcinoma, 90%, 90% ("perineural
invasion identified in this case") [Interesting the final
pathology report below found no actual "invasion"
beyond the prostate capsule, very glad of that!]
C. prostatic adenocarcinoma, 90%, 90%

1-12-15 RRP at Johns Hopkins
1-14-15 Final JHH Surgical Pathology Report
Interpretation & Diagnosis
1) pelvic nodes, left (excision); three lymph nodes and
associated fibroadipose tissue, negative for tumor
2) anterior fat pad (excision), negative for tumor
3) prostate and SV (prostatectomy): histologic type:
adenocarcinoma (conventional, NOS)

Gleason score - dominant nodule: 3+4 = 7
Tumor extent: moderate
location: (dominant nodule): left, posterolateral, apex, mid
location: (secondary nodule): [none noted]
Local extent: organ confined
Margins: negative
Seminal vesicle invasion: none
Lymphatic invasion: absent

Pelvic lymph nodes (includes all parts):
all 3 lymph nodes are negative for tumor

Extent of invasion (7th Edition, AJCC, Staging):
Primary tumor: pT2: organ confined throughout

Summary margins: negative

A representative tumor block is 3-LBP
A representative normal block is 3-LDA

Note: Pending KRAFT of 3RBA

You're good. Here's to a lifetime of zeros!!

Tom

That's GREAT news!

Mr Positive:

It is tragic that you are disappointed with your PSA of <0.01 since that is the lowest value that you (or anyone) will ever get. Labs simply never report zero levels. If you gave the lab tap water they would report its PSA as <0.01. Your result is "undetectable" and as "zero" as you would ever get.

Welcome to Club Zero! I'll have a Scotch.

PeterDisAbelard. said...
Mr Positive:

It is tragic that you are disappointed with your PSA of <0.01 since that is the lowest value that you (or anyone) will ever get. Labs simply never report zero levels. If you gave the lab tap water they would report its PSA as <0.01. Your result is "undetectable" and as "zero" as you would ever get.

Welcome to Club Zero! I'll have a Scotch.

Exactly, Bill, what the ever hilarious PDA said: you are good to go, you are undetectable same as me! I love that tap water analogy! As far as that machine knows, you have the same amount of PSA as tap water, it would read the same if you had submitted tap water!

Party time, break out the appropriate beverage!

Andrew, Tom, Rick, Mike, Clocknut, Peter, Pratoman, BillyBob, and Others Unnamed but Present Too,

I raise a toast to friendship, mutual support, the celebration of battles won this moment -- let the future be whatever the future will be -- I celebrate THIS moment. A tip of the hat to each of you. The old Irish proverb comes to mind. A blessing for all of us:

May the road rise up to meet you.
May the wind always be at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
and rains fall soft upon your fields.
And until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of His hand.

And bless me lucky stars I've got the same PSA as tap water today! Tis a thing I am most grateful for!

Bartender, fill our glasses again. All drinks are on me today!

Bill Positive


______________________________
[Sig Block revised 3-27-15]

age 70
diagnosed 8-8-14

RRP 1-12-15, Johns Hopkins.

Prostate cancer "capsule contained"
per final JH pathology report, 1-14-2015.

PSA history: 1/08 4.6; 4/08 6.4; 7/08 3.5;
12/09 2.5; 2/11 4.4; 4/12 3.2; 4/14 5.4;
8/14 5.1; 9/3/14 4.9; 10/13/14 5.7;
3/23/2015 <0.01

Pathology Report (9/12/2014, Johns Hopkins,
Jonathan Epstein) on 7/28/2014 biopsy slides.
6 cores Gleason 6 (3+3),
A. prostatic adenocarcinoma, 90%, 80%
B. prostatic adenocarcinoma, 90%, 90% ("perineural
invasion identified in this case") [Interesting the final
pathology report below found no actual "invasion"
beyond the prostate capsule, very glad of that!]
C. prostatic adenocarcinoma, 90%, 90%

1-12-15 RRP at Johns Hopkins
1-14-15 Final JHH Surgical Pathology Report
Interpretation & Diagnosis
1) pelvic nodes, left (excision); three lymph nodes and
associated fibroadipose tissue, negative for tumor
2) anterior fat pad (excision), negative for tumor
3) prostate and SV (prostatectomy): histologic type:
adenocarcinoma (conventional, NOS)

Gleason score - dominant nodule: 3+4 = 7
Tumor extent: moderate
location: (dominant nodule): left, posterolateral, apex, mid
location: (secondary nodule): [none noted]
Local extent: organ confined
Margins: negative
Seminal vesicle invasion: none
Lymphatic invasion: absent

Pelvic lymph nodes (includes all parts):
all 3 lymph nodes are negative for tumor

Extent of invasion (7th Edition, AJCC, Staging):
Primary tumor: pT2: organ confined throughout

Summary margins: negative

A representative tumor block is 3-LBP
A representative normal block is 3-LDA