HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

Best time for first post-op PSA?

Support Forums
>
Prostate Cancer
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 4/7/2008 4:38 PM (GMT 0)
Hi -

We will soon have our 1st post-op PSA and on our surgeon's instruction we read 2 things - Have it done at 4 weeks and have it done 6-8 weeks.

From experience her, how long does it take after surgery to impact the blood test? If its too early, could there still be PSA leftover, which would then give a worrisome read?

Thanks everyone!

FairRider
Posted 4/7/2008 5:07 PM (GMT 0)

FairRider,

As you mentioned, it does stay in your bloodstream for awhile.  It has a "half-life" and needs time to work its way out.  While your doctor should be the final word, I was told to wait until the 6-8 week mark to make sure you get a true reading.  I would hate to get upset over a false positive reading.  It sounds like you're doing great with the continenence issue, so I would just keep walking and healing right now.  Think positive thoughts and get the PSA test at 6-8. 

Posted 4/7/2008 5:26 PM (GMT 0)
My first post op PSA was at 3 mos and the second was at 6 mos. My understanding is that 9 and 12 mos are upcoming. I agree, having one done too soon would only create anxiety if you still had detectable levels, which would likely be not from new or existing PCa, but from pre-surg levels.
Posted 4/7/2008 7:41 PM (GMT 0)

Hi Fairider,

I have a 6 week post op follow up and then at 3 months at this time.

Frank

Posted 4/7/2008 7:54 PM (GMT 0)
Hi FairRider,

I also had my first PSA test result 3 month after the operation and I will have additional tests every 3 month for 2 years. After that, if the PSA level stays very low, I'll have the tests every 6 month for life (?). It's hard having to wait for the first test result, but at least you'll know that after 3 month all the residual PSA should have worked its way out of your body. Unfortunately, I found that the wait for these test results doesn't get any easier as time goes by. Just one of the down sites to this darn disease.

Wishing you a full and speedy recovery.

Magaboo

Posted 4/7/2008 9:05 PM (GMT 0)
Mine was less the two weeks after surgery. I wasted no time in retaining an oncologist and he started them right away. There should definately be a drop Here's my history:

October 3, 2006 19.8 (1st PSA)
October 10, 2006 18.9
November 27, 2006 13.9 (Dx via biopsy)

Surgery February 16, 2007
February 28, 2007 0.9 (via Oncologist)
March 12, 2007 0.1
March 23, 2007 <0.1 (first undetectable) NADIR
May 16, 2007 <0.1
July 18, 2007 <0.1
September 19, 2007 <0.1
January 29, 2008 <0.1

Next test : May 13, 2008

Tony

✚ New Topic ✚ Reply