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Looks like I finally got my BCR

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Posted 2/21/2020 5:15 AM (GMT 0)

BillyBob@388 said...
Or probably. But I know the routine, will have to do a retest(have not talked to my doc yet), to see if it actually goes up some more, or if there was a problem with the test, whether the machines or the lab techs.

Of course, I was expecting a BCR in my first year or two at the absolute most. I'm actually kind of shocked that I made it 6 years, considering my risk. (PSA 10.9, G9, small positive margin, SV+). But remarkably, I made it 6 years, actually had the test done today on my 6 year anniversary of RP. But those PSAs have driven me crazy over that 6 years.

First, I stayed , < .01 for 18 months. ...................................Then, I was at .01 for another 18 months(.01 or below for 3 years! ) until I hit .02......................................... Then sat there at .02 for another 10 months when I got my first scare with, after just 3 more months I suddenly triple to .06! This gave me a scare, but it stayed there and didn't go up at all- even briefly went back below < .05 for one test- for another 15 months. Then, after a 10 month delay(turns out that was intended by my doc, they claim, he moved me up from 3 months to 9 which would have been last month) I have once again more than tripled, to 0.2. Bummer, and a big surprise. These sudden jumps are a shock to the system, and unexpected. I was worried that after 9 months I would have moved up to maybe .07 or .09. Boy was that optimistic.

When I got the first triple from .02 to .06 about 2 years ago now, when I had no further increase 3 months later, I asked them and sure enough they had new machines with a lower limit of <.05, and they said several people had seen a significant increase. Then they were sending the lab work out for what might have been my last reading of .06. Can't remember the name of the lab, but it was one some folks here have used. And I had to wait a few days for the results. Now today, they told me it was back in house again, and I got the results same day. I confess, along with that first triple that coincided with a change in their machines, I am wondering about if something is going on with their in house testing. But that is probably wishful thinking, and it looks like a RO is in my near future. If so, 6 years is a good run for a high risk guy, and I can't really complain.

What is the name of the lab that some folks here use that gives consistently lower readings than some other labs use? I might want a 2nd opinion based on another lab.

The fact your PSA increased 500% over the last 6 years before your doctors sent you to SRT is a bit puzzling. 2 years ago it seems rather obvious you were recurring

Post Edited (Duck2) : 2/20/2020 10:18:51 PM (GMT-7)

Posted 2/21/2020 5:27 AM (GMT 0)
BB your reply to my post is like a breath of fresh air in a stultifying hold of burnt soup...and stagnant ponds of green slime...I at some point in my illustrious( yeah dats da word) stay at HW was into all the info being discussed...been there done that...at some point during my stay...weariness set in....my sense is this situation is being handled well by your medical team...I won't go into why...too many times have I explained over the years...most of those years and still today...the dark age of positivism reeks the tiny bills of the whipperwills...tho hints of sweet water and clean air wafts in and pushes the pumice apart and whiffs of spring does what spring does...weaken the flesh...and strengthen the soul...the groundhog is still sleeping in weariness...but alas "hope springs eternal"...as I conclude with much repeated and "corny" kernels of truth...good luck to ya mate... and regards to you and your lovely spouse...logo...
Posted 2/21/2020 5:33 AM (GMT 0)
BB - yours seems to be a very unusual case. I can't recall reading another story quite like yours w/ your grade and adverse condition. Seems like BCR would have reared it's ugly head far earlier than at the 6 year mark. It will be very interesting to learn what opinion an RO might have and what treatment protocol he or she might recommend, if any. As previously stated, a delayed BCR (as far as BCR's go) can be good news.

I'm curious. Prior to your PSA increase - did you plug your numbers into the Sloan Kettering nomogram? If so, what were the odds of a BCR at 7 or 10 years given your pathology following RP?

My ultra Labcorp PSA tests (Roche) were always <.006 while the ultra PSA tests using the Siemens assay were low but detectable. You can review my signature. Using Siemens my PSA climbed to .03 a couple years following RP then dropped back to .01 and has pretty much stayed there.

Best of luck to you. Retest and go from there. We're rootin' for ya!
Posted 2/21/2020 6:13 AM (GMT 0)

TJ123 said...
BB - yours seems to be a very unusual case. I can't recall reading another story quite like yours w/ your grade and adverse condition. Seems like BCR would have reared it's ugly head far earlier than at the 6 year mark. It will be very interesting to learn what opinion an RO might have and what treatment protocol he or she might recommend, if any. As previously stated, a delayed BCR (as far as BCR's go) can be good news.

I'm curious. Prior to your PSA increase - did you plug your numbers into the Sloan Kettering nomogram? If so, what were the odds of a BCR at 7 or 10 years given your pathology following RP?

My ultra Labcorp PSA tests (Roche) were always <.006 while the ultra PSA tests using the Siemens assay were low but detectable. You can review my signature. Using Siemens my PSA climbed to .03 a couple years following RP then dropped back to .01 and has pretty much stayed there.

Best of luck to you. Retest and go from there. We're rootin' for ya!

Nice of you to ask, TJ! (and my case is indeed a bit strange, isn't it?) Because I had just recently done that nomogram a few months ago, with very promising results! So that I can answer your questions, I just now went back and entered my info as though it was 9 months ago, before my spectacular rise occurred. And here are the results:
odds of remaining BCR free for 7 years: 78%. BCR free at 10 years: 57%.
Odds of 15-Year Prostate Cancer-Specific Survival: 81%.

Not bad at all, IMO. But then my VERY NEXT PSA goes from 0.06 to 0.20! LOL! What are you going to do, life is crazy! However, I have decided that - though I may well get more treatment depending on what retesting shows- unless a doubling time < 15 months is established, I am not going to worry too much about it. Because unless I get that, according to the study I just linked to, the odds of men who BCR at > 3 years are quite favorable. And I, of course, am at 6 years. That is my thinking at the moment, anyway. We will see what the next 2 tests in the next few weeks show. Though this is not what I wanted to see for my 6 year anniversary, there is one good thing about it. It has spurred me to research folks that BCR years after RP. And I must amit the results of that research have me feeling somewhat better. Thanks for the good wishes!

Thanks for your thoughts and kind words, Logoslidat!

Duck2, there are plenty of folks who would say I should have had ART early on, not even waiting for much of a rise. And they may be right. I certainly thought that way myself at the beginning, back when Joseph Smith of Vanderbilt gave me my path report over the phone. I realize that was 6 years ago and things change, but his opinion was that evidence did not show improved life span by treating before BCR, or at least a strong trend, had been established. Keep in mind that the BIG rise only just now occurred. Yes, there had been another sudden triple back 2 years ago(after just 3 months!). But then it just sat there- even backed up a bit- for 2 years! That makes no sense for a growing tumor, though anything is possible I'm sure. It just sat there for 2 years until this 2nd explosion yesterday. So until yesterday, my rise was well below BCR, with months and years of little movement, until well past 5 years. So, I guess that is the thinking of a significant # of docs who are treating this disease, that if it doesn't make it to BCR before 3 years, you definitely have some breathing room. Are they right? Who knows! Not me!
Posted 2/21/2020 1:30 PM (GMT 0)

Duck2 said...
Which then questions the effectiveness of ART for a contained patient with LVI.

The question of necessity certainly arise. I don't know if a (or any) RO would have agreed adjuvant treatment was wise or prudent without a PSA rise. My prostate was gone, 16 negative nodes had been removed, and my PSA at 3 months was 0.007. My low-risk Decipher wouldn't add to the Treat reasons.

I don't know if the data supports one decision over another: I haven't seen a breakdown: LVI+ isn't usually a breakdown category and, AFAIK, doesn't appear in the treatment guidelines/flowcharts of the major institutions. It may be that G9-10 with LVI as the only adverse finding is rare. I don't know if D'Amico excludes LVI because of a lack of data or because the data is there and LVI alone doesn't support adjuvant treatment.

I had had a negative bone scan, and my PSA was too low for an advanced scan. So the question of where to irradiate arises.

Although I didn't have LVI, the question of where to irradiate will loom large if I encounter PSA. No adverse features to suggest local recurrence yet a low risk for mets.

Djin
Posted 2/21/2020 2:07 PM (GMT 0)

DjinTonic said...

Duck2 said...
Which then questions the effectiveness of ART for a contained patient with LVI.

The question of necessity certainly arise. I don't know if a (or any) RO would have agreed adjuvant treatment was wise or prudent without a PSA rise. My prostate was gone, 16 negative nodes had been removed, and my PSA at 3 months was 0.007. My low-risk Decipher wouldn't add to the Treat reasons.

I don't know if the data supports one decision over another: I haven't seen a breakdown: LVI+ isn't usually a breakdown category and, AFAIK, doesn't appear in the treatment guidelines/flowcharts of the major institutions. It may be that G9-10 with LVI as the only adverse finding is rare. I don't know if D'Amico excludes LVI because of a lack of data or because the data is there and LVI alone doesn't support adjuvant treatment.

I had had a negative bone scan, and my PSA was too low for an advanced scan. So the question of where to irradiate arises.

Although I didn't have LVI, the question of where to irradiate will loom large if I encounter PSA. No adverse features to suggest local recurrence yet a low risk for mets.

Djin

..................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

It is very interesting that you were a G10 on Bx, and surgical path was G9(4+5), and your decipher test was low risk.
Posted 2/21/2020 2:23 PM (GMT 0)

BillyBob@388 said...

It is very interesting that you were a G10 on Bx, and surgical path was G9(4+5), and your decipher test was low risk.

One of the major results of PCa genomics is that low, intermediate, and high risk for mets cuts across ALL Gleason scores and path stages. See Table 2 in:

Decipher correlation patterns post prostatectomy: initial experience from 2 342 prospective patients [2016, Full Text]

For my cohort, G8-10 who are pT2, the Decipher scores were:
24% Low Risk; 46% Intermediate Risk; 49% High Risk

The sizes (percentages) of the three categories changes as you would expect as you go from low to high G score and from favorable to unfavorable path staging; however, there remain sizeable chunks of men in each risk category.

Interestingly, for men with G6 (3+3) as confirmed after RP, who were pT2, the breakdown was:
64% Low Risk; 26% Intermediate Risk; 10% High Risk

For confirmed G7 (3+4) with pT2, High Risk jumps to 22%.

This is why more uros are suggesting genomic testing for G6 men who are otherwise good AS candidate, and especially for G7 (3+4) men contemplating AS.

Djin
Posted 2/21/2020 2:37 PM (GMT 0)
BB,

Being somewhat like you, congrats for getting this far before BCR.
Six years for me also, not BCR yet.
Take heart, there are more drugs they will throw at you and maybe immuno.
You will be with us for awhile longer brother.

Take care and may God bless.
Posted 2/21/2020 4:12 PM (GMT 0)
The leader of our local UsToo group was clear since 2005 and is now stage IV, though I've not had the opportunity to discuss the particulars of his case with him personally. One of the speakers at a meeting said they've had men whose PCa returned after fifteen years. Again, not sure if they had stopped PSA testing and what was their primary treatment.
Posted 2/21/2020 4:21 PM (GMT 0)

alephnull said...
BB,

Being somewhat like you, congrats for getting this far before BCR.
Six years for me also, not BCR yet.
Take heart, there are more drugs they will throw at you and maybe immuno.
You will be with us for awhile longer brother.

Take care and may God bless.

Thanks, Alephnull! We will see what those retests show.
Posted 2/21/2020 4:41 PM (GMT 0)

RobLee said...
The leader of our local UsToo group was clear since 2005 and is now stage IV, though I've not had the opportunity to discuss the particulars of his case with him personally. One of the speakers at a meeting said they've had men whose PCa returned after fifteen years. Again, not sure if they had stopped PSA testing and what was their primary treatment.

That is both amazing and depressing. I guess it just shows there is never any real certainty with this beast, but rather just odds for you or against you. Pretty much like life in general. I had a buddy who got PC, had the surgery- something like age 50 maybe. Had a young pretty wife and kids from 8 to 18. Got the penile implant. Then about 5 years after the RP, died of a stroke.

I don't think I ever told this one here before: a couple of years back, on one of my followups, when I was discussing my prognoses with my doc, and the difference in risk for my G9 vs a G6, he told me about one of his confirmed by RP G6s. He was undetectable for a year or so, as expected, then they lost track of him for some # of years(how many?). I guess he got tired of fooling with all of that since he was "cured". Then he shows up again, and he had wide spread mets. Now, go figure that one.

And the there is my neighbor John across the street. Well up into his 80s now. I see him all the time when he is taking his walks or working in his yard. And of course the details are sketchy, because as is so common, he really does not know much about this disease. All he knew was that when he was having a TURP(surgery to improve urine flow by reducing prostate size) he was diagnosed with PC. We first discussed this about the time I was having my RP, 6 years ago. Either they or he decided not to treat it, maybe because of his age and other health conditions. His PSA was in the teens, despite the surgical reduction in prostate size, and it was higher every time I asked him about it. Then finally it was well up into the 20s. Not long ago I asked him how his PSA was doing, and he said "I don't have any". It seems for some reason they decided to give, and/or he decided to accept, a "shot". So, for now, his PC is "gone". Or at least his PSA is.

Post Edited (BillyBob@388) : 2/21/2020 9:44:57 AM (GMT-7)

Posted 2/21/2020 7:49 PM (GMT 0)
Such stories are not uncommon in the retirement community where I live. One neighbor is 85 and said he had his prostate removed fifteen years ago, then his doctor called him back for some radiation and his PSA has been zero ever since. He doesn't know any more than that.

Another older guy (and I say "older" as I will turn 70 this year) said he is on Lupron as his only treatment. I can put together the pieces from there. Many guys just say they had seeds. Most don't want to talk about it much. I'd say one in ten, possibly more, living here either has or has had some sort of cancer.
Posted 2/21/2020 7:55 PM (GMT 0)
I've passed my 4 year RALP anniversary. I have a GP (internist) monitoring my health. The urologists told me their job was done after my surgery and now a GP can keep an eye on my PSA levels. I recently met with my GP. My annual exam is coming up in a couple months. He ordered my annual blood labs. In order to get the ultra sensitive PSA test he has to input a special request. When I asked him to do so, he was very hesitant and felt that a regular PSA test was sufficient. I reminded him that even though I haven't BCR'ed that as a pT3a - I was still high-risk. He countered by saying at this point the chance of a BCR are infinitesimal. I insisted and he finally complied. I don't like to challenge a medical doctor's wisdom - as many are ego-driven and take personal offense - but it's MY cancer and not his. Hopefully I won't have to go through the same ritual again next year. The last thing I want to do is go over his head.

After I got home - I inputted my numbers into the MSKCC nomogram. It reported that my probability of remaining BCR free at 5 years was 98%; at 7 years 93% and at 10 years 86%.

Now I've read more than a few anecdotes of Pca RP patients (like you) BCRing years after surgery. So I really don't know how much credence these nomograms deserve. I guess it's sort of like the weatherman and his forecast. If he tells us there's a 10% chance of rain - and we get a downpour that ruins a planned outdoor event - he can always fall back on "that was the 10% I told you about".

Even if I take the nomogram at face value - I still have a 7% chance of a recurrence by the 7 year mark. And if I end up being on the wrong side of those odds - I want enough advanced notice so I have some breathing time to make rational choices without feeling rushed. Seems that a medical doctor would understand that.
Posted 2/21/2020 8:31 PM (GMT 0)
" MSKCC nomogram."

I did this once. Never again. Mine was 93% chance I'll be dead in 5 years once BCR is reached, thankfully I lied, BCR hasn't been reached yet.

Horrible to know that when it does happen that the guillotine is being prepped.
Posted 2/21/2020 9:29 PM (GMT 0)

BillyBob@388 said...

F8 said...
..........................................................................................................
One other thing. I was looking around for BCR after more than just a few years(which, again, and surprisingly, I don't seem to actually have BCR YET, I was unable to supply the numbers needed for the MSK BCR normograms ), and one study I looked at calculated the odds of mortality vs 5, 10 and 15 years and they found 3 most important variables: G score, doubling time, and BCR < 3 years or > 3 years. Obviously I am screwed on the G score. Doubling time, I don't have one yet as they are not calculated on uPSA numbers. But the number of years to BCR, I figure that included the bad G #s and bad doubling time in those groups. In fact, "Most patients had pathologically extraprostatic disease and high-grade disease". So, the outcome difference between <3 years vs > 3 years was large. Or, those with > 3 years after RP before RP had very high 10 and high 15 yr survival rates. I will have to wait and see what my doubling time(DT) is in months. According to this study, a G8-10, with a greater than 15 month DT and a BCR > 3 years(mine is 6 years) had 15 year survival of 87%(vs 94% for Gleason<8). https://cdn.jamanetwork.com/ama/content_public/journal/jama/4985/joc50067t3.png?expires=2147483647&signature=ft6tzkshwffvi9ia4-rnjtsuoqkuhw2blym0xmoggdv7lcodnhpz73won38sbdtvehrktfmjjh8qpt11uiaacd6lh-~iutbycaxvupqkzxx3rfooms0ersheykt7yg6qtefbjowzaamflr3s6uw7alzcd6nzw3cjih9sajmgrdfzzwhcg8vjt1w4tggtiybqptasdrsasgg65dkduvm86lprshesrqxvwhzj87rqddtk3sby97kc9k6dupnckmvm7xeavrk-wtawmmumcnljjgqknjs9pzsx5wria9vzibb0icuemafzejw5thyw8gk3ct4eta~wzkd5x-swwdwjbg__&key-pair-id=apkaie5g5crdk6rd3pga (hope that link works)

Simply looking at BCR < than 3 yrs vs > 3 yrs vs 15 year survival appears to be about 82%(for >3yr) or more vs about 50% for BCR = < 3 yr. Whether I have some RT in my immediate future or not( I assume these folks had further treatment?), I am not going to worry too much about this(maybe that is why my docs don't seem too worried either?), because those odds are more than acceptable, I am more likely have a stroke or heart attack or something else. https://cdn.jamanetwork.com/ama/content_public/journal/jama/4985/joc50067f1.png?expires=2147483647&signature=fmc2joztmwghy69gft~5sedyrkes7a6k5kv~anxuojdk6hv128baf2cep9zqmxlzsg3lyrblyvwp8kknklf1dip4jezu9iqfds-feetck8bixdyqoikaxlmqgbnj7skughqeoz2gsugga-wsbzxj9nndd8bng7m62wax2~z9ohljit56wb50eukmg1i~qcwuvuznydrg1r~8k5pb~1x4oalf1nipcw-jjfh2kucwcau91ho1oypdi8iivro~51dfbmavyxcyaizxrninrioumtdlixtxn2tcbbru36inz0ro9m4hb71jm9wne4hz9ecljzotl~y3nxbb8dkihdg3cg__&key-pair-id=apkaie5g5crdk6rd3pga

Those links are graphs and tables, here is the whole study(BTW, this study was way back in 2005, I imagine things have improved for us since then) : https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/201291



so your PSA is .2 and they want two more PSA tests?

.................................................................................................................................................................................

I know, can you believe that stuff? Of course, you might be thinking they are incompetent. And maybe they are. But I'm sure they want to rule out errors and determine a DT. Plus, I imagine if the first test is dramatic enough, that might change things. Also, they may be considering what the above study- and maybe their experience- indicates about me being 6 years out before BCR, assuming the retest does not change that. But, I must admit I think back nostalgically to my rosy first 18 months at < .01. Those were the days! (except for SEs, of course)

…………………………………………..

i'm having a hard time with this one. you are G9 and you've been very fortunate thus far and they are recommending making a decision on further treatment when it's most likely too late?

that's why i'm for the kitchen sink approach to intermediate to high risk cases.
Posted 2/22/2020 2:57 AM (GMT 0)

TJ123 said...


My ultra Labcorp PSA tests (Roche) were always <.006 while the ultra PSA tests using the Siemens assay were low but detectable. ...............

TJ, how do you get the Labcorp test? Some of the online labs don't offer PSA, most that do offer only Quest. I have found one from LabCorp 50 miles away, but the lower limit is only <.015. "Test Code: 140731

Also Known As: PSA Third Generation

Methodology: Electrochemiluminescence immunoassay (ECLIA)",
Posted 2/22/2020 5:12 AM (GMT 0)
BB-

I get my Labcorp PSA test done annually now through Medicare. Prior to Medicare I paid for it out-of-pocket w/ a 15% discount using a code available through an on-line medical site. At that time it cost me about $65 for a PSA ultra. That price may have increased in the last 2 years. I was able to use walk-in services at any Labcorp site and there's one nearby. I'm hesitant to provide the name of the on-line medical site - since it may violate HW policy. But you can do an engine search and certainly find one on your own. There are several that offer such services. Just shop around for the best price. And make sure you pay for the ultra test, if that's what you need. I think the regular test that's less expensive has a lower limit of .1 but not completely sure. Just confirm what the lower limit is prior to making the purchase. The Labcorp test I use has always had a lower limit of <.006. But that may be subject to change as well. I haven't had a Labcorp test since June 2019. Good luck.
Posted 2/22/2020 3:00 PM (GMT 0)

TJ123 said...
BB-

I get my Labcorp PSA test done annually now through Medicare. Prior to Medicare I paid for it out-of-pocket w/ a 15% discount using a code available through an on-line medical site. At that time it cost me about $65 for a PSA ultra. That price may have increased in the last 2 years. I was able to use walk-in services at any Labcorp site and there's one nearby. I'm hesitant to provide the name of the on-line medical site - since it may violate HW policy. But you can do an engine search and certainly find one on your own. There are several that offer such services. Just shop around for the best price. And make sure you pay for the ultra test, if that's what you need. I think the regular test that's less expensive has a lower limit of .1 but not completely sure. Just confirm what the lower limit is prior to making the purchase. The Labcorp test I use has always had a lower limit of <.006. But that may be subject to change as well. I haven't had a Labcorp test since June 2019. Good luck.

OK, thanks. Yes, the less sensitive is less expensive. And I had been searching the net, and I can find a site that offers a labcorp test(majority are Quest), but it only has the <.015 sensitivity, not the <.006. Which, if I am going to do all of that on my own, I would prefer to use the same one you and some others have been using, just in case it is more accurate. I'm certain my previous test, at .06, was sent out to LabCorp for some reason. (maybe his office machines were down for repair?) But, that result (.06) from LabCorp was the same result as as every test for the last 2 years. But this next test was once again done in his office. Since they admitted to me(months later) that my previous 3 month jump from .02 to .06 was at the time they made a change or calibration(not sure which one) in their machines(which also changed their lower limit from <.01 to <.05), all this sort of thing makes me question the accuracy of their in house tests. Which is why I would like to get the tests which for you(and a couple of others?) gives you results of <.006 rather than .02. ( One is a minimum of 3 times greater than the other). I'd like it just a a sort of 2nd opinion on my local docs in house machines. I'll keep searching for the LabCorp <.006.
Posted 2/22/2020 3:42 PM (GMT 0)
If you google walkinlab, you'll find one way to get the Labcorp ultrasensitive PSA test (<0.006). Their price is $109. A number of brothers at the defunct Forum used their services with no problem.

If you are doing the Labcorp uPSA through you doctor, note that the Labcorp test menu actually has two separate test codes for uPSA, one with, and one without, "serial monitoring". The uPSA test itself is *identical* for both. The serial-monitoring test comes with a *separate* plot of your current and past uPSA values (all those ordered with serial monitoring). Unfortunately, for post-RP men, this plot is worthless, because the fixed max value on the Y-axis is so large that our low values all appear as zero and lie along the X-axis! They would need to scale it dynamically, so the max PSA on the graph makes your trend visible. It's not rocket surgery smile

Djin
Posted 2/22/2020 8:59 PM (GMT 0)
Billy Bob...

The ride can be a roller coaster but hang in there... Technology has improved greatly for treatments and still getting better every day... My ride is now 13 years out with a dang pesky G6... go figure... Live life to the fullest each day... It's a race and we have technology on our side.

pasayten
Posted 2/22/2020 10:51 PM (GMT 0)
BB-

I just checked the website where I used to order my ultra PSA test w/ out-of-pocket payment. It still offers the 15% discount (using a code at checkout). The regular price is $94.49. With the 15% discount it would be $80.32. You could use any Labcorp lab in your area either as a walk-in (you may have to wait awhile depending on the crowd) or you can make an appointment in advance to get in and out. I have no idea whether Labcorp uses different lower limits on their ultra PSA blood draws in different parts of the country.

I don't know if giving you the name of the on-line site is a violation of HW policy. But if a moderator would give me the green light - I'd be more than happy to provide it to you.
Posted 2/23/2020 1:13 AM (GMT 0)
TJ123 just provide it...we use the French method of rules versus the German method of rules...plus if I am wrong and they execute you ...you can blame me...Im here for ya...lol
Posted 2/23/2020 2:39 AM (GMT 0)

DjinTonic said...
If you google walkinlab, you'll find one way to get the Labcorp ultrasensitive PSA test (<0.006). Their price is $109. A number of brothers at the defunct Forum used their services with no problem.

If you are doing the Labcorp uPSA through you doctor, note that the Labcorp test menu actually has two separate test codes for uPSA, one with, and one without, "serial monitoring". The uPSA test itself is *identical* for both. The serial-monitoring test comes with a *separate* plot of your current and past uPSA values (all those ordered with serial monitoring). Unfortunately, for post-RP men, this plot is worthless, because the fixed max value on the Y-axis is so large that our low values all appear as zero and lie along the X-axis! They would need to scale it dynamically, so the max PSA on the graph makes your trend visible. It's not rocket surgery smile

Djin

I had found the $109 ultra sensitive by LabCorp online, but when I click on a sample test it shows <.015. So it might not be the same test that some others have been using. Maybe Monday I can give them a call and clear this up.

pasayten said...
Billy Bob...

The ride can be a roller coaster but hang in there... Technology has improved greatly for treatments and still getting better every day... My ride is now 13 years out with a dang pesky G6... go figure... Live life to the fullest each day... It's a race and we have technology on our side.

pasayten

Thanks, Brother, will try to follow that advice!

TJ123 said...
BB-

I just checked the website where I used to order my ultra PSA test w/ out-of-pocket payment. It still offers the 15% discount (using a code at checkout). The regular price is $94.49. With the 15% discount it would be $80.32. You could use any Labcorp lab in your area either as a walk-in (you may have to wait awhile depending on the crowd) or you can make an appointment in advance to get in and out. I have no idea whether Labcorp uses different lower limits on their ultra PSA blood draws in different parts of the country.

I don't know if giving you the name of the on-line site is a violation of HW policy. But if a moderator would give me the green light - I'd be more than happy to provide it to you.

It might well be against the rules, so maybe you could e-mail it to me? That is cheaper than the <.015 LabCorp $109 one I’m looking at. Plus yours is <.006. But, maybe the varies according to where you live?

logoslidat said...
TJ123 just provide it...we use the French method of rules versus the German method of rules...plus if I am wrong and they execute you ...you can blame me...Im here for ya...lol

Logo, "French method of rules versus the German method of rules", LOL!
Posted 2/23/2020 2:40 AM (GMT 0)
BB sorry to read this news! I use walkinlab.com to get my ultrasensitive tests. They partner with Labcorp and have the ultrasensitive that goes down to .006. No doctor needed. But Note; some states do not allow this service. Good luck!
Posted 2/23/2020 2:52 AM (GMT 0)

Gear said...
BB sorry to read this news! I use walkinlab.com to get my ultrasensitive tests. They partner with Labcorp and have the ultrasensitive that goes down to .006. No doctor needed. But Note; some states do not allow this service. Good luck!

Yep, I'm probably going to have to give them a call to clear this up. When I go to Walkinlab- I'd have to drive 50 miles to one of their places but that is OK- all I can find there is a $109 ultrasensitive test which has a lower limit of <.015.
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