HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

First Post Op PSA

Support Forums
>
Prostate Cancer
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 7/25/2015 1:16 PM (GMT 0)
A little history: I joined the Prostate Cancer Healing Well site in 2010 when my husband was diagnosed with prostate cancer. He was 50 at diagnosis. Was doing great, no symptoms after DaVinci surgery, but PSA was doing a slow rise. 5 years post-op, his PSA was .09 and we knew he was facing radiation in the future. He passed away suddenly from a heart attack in March 2013 at the age of 55.

After a year and a half of intense grief - I reconnect with a high school friend. We begin dating and slowly start a wonderful relationship. Then reality hits: He has a rising PSA, biopsy was positive, schedules surgery, has the same DaVinci surgery. Had some incontinence at first, but that has resolved. No ED issues. His surgery was 4/14/15. He goes Monday for his first post op PSA - but the lab sent him the results. HE IS AT .1 He has no idea what this means, feels it is within normal limits according to the lab sheet.

This prostate cancer dance just SUCKS and I am so afraid I will lose him, as I did my husband.

Tim will be shocked silly when the Dr. tells him his PSA results is not a good one. I feel it isn't my place to explain it, as he will have questions I cannot answer.

I am guessing the Dr. will order another PSA in 3 months? Am I correct in thinking when the PSA rises to .2 he will need additional treatment?

I feel like I have a black cloud over my life.

Tim's pathology report:

Gleason 6 post biopsy and post op.
3% of the prostate involved by tumor.
Margin involved by invasive carcinoma.
2 lymph nodes - both were clear.
pT2c


confused

Any comments or suggestions will be appreciated.
Posted 7/25/2015 1:34 PM (GMT 0)
Sorry to read this.
It is wise to let his doctor explain the significance of this post op PSA reading, but if may be helpful if you attend the meeting. Tim's positive margins are likely the cause of the detectable PSA.
My doctor waited for three increases in my PSA post surgery, and I started radiation treatment after the third rise, when my PSA reached .12

.1 is not what you wanted but it is an extremely low PSA, and Gleason 6 is not an aggressive level, so you are " fortunate " to have that going forward. Best of luck !
Posted 7/25/2015 2:29 PM (GMT 0)
Very few men ever die from Gleason 6 prostate cancer....

There are 2 types of PSA test, the standard one (0.1) and the ultra sensitive one (0.01). An important detail, if the PSA number is written as <0.1 it means the reading was undetectable, 0.1 being the lower limit of the assay . When the ultra sensitive test is used, the lower limit is frequently written as <0.03
Posted 7/25/2015 4:35 PM (GMT 0)
MRSG, An extremely important question is simple, really: is the reading 0.1 or <0.1. Also, what was the PSA before surgery? It can take up to several months to get to minimum even after surgery. The rule of thumb is that it has a half life of about 2 weeks.

Post surgery, he needs to have the highest sensitivity test he can find. Where I live, the lowest their machine goes is 0.04. As long as the pesky little "<" is there, I'm good.
Posted 7/25/2015 6:51 PM (GMT 0)
In my opinion, this looks very good, not bad. A G6 with a T1C invariably has an excellent outcome.

Take care and hang in there.
Posted 7/25/2015 7:18 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for the feedback gentlemen.

Yes I am going to the doctor's appointment with him.

His PSA pre surgery was 4.something, I do not know the exact number. It was not terribly high.

I have the lab report from this week.
It says 0.1 not <0.1

I appreciate the positive comments, but if my late husband was facing radiation in the future when he was 0.9, I am afraid Tim will need further treatment as well. Greg's Gleason was 6 post biopsy, 7 post surgery.
Posted 7/25/2015 10:29 PM (GMT 0)
We're here to support you. There's nothing you can do until the next medical appointment. With your history of two partners with PCa, I understand your fears. Take care, hang in there, and keep us updated
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply