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Posted 1/21/2009 1:20 AM (GMT 0)
After my latest PSA test@ ~14 months coming back @ 0.15-0.20 (3 tests @ 3 labs, see profile) I asked my doc "what is going on?"  His explanation was that there may have been some residual prostate cells that migrated into the uretha and or the bladder neck.   Thus, a very low residual PSA reading.

He has kept me on a 3 month schedule for now and is watching for any doubling of the reading.  He says that I may continue to have this low grade reading for some time but as long as it stays low that I will be OK.

Has anyone else had this experience and if so, how long has it been since your operation and what was the outcome?

thanks,

Wayne

Posted 1/21/2009 1:39 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Wayne.

It was either contained or not. The word residual after a radical means 'Opps' didn't get it all.

A PSA of .1 on the standard test is considered undetetable.  Are you having the standard test or the ultrasensitive test?

Have you had any other diagnositcs.  If a total body scan is negative except for the prostate region then in my opinion the Dr has failed.

I have had a persistance of PSA and eventually discovered the Dr. left a good bit of the gland.

Scott

Posted 1/21/2009 1:53 AM (GMT 0)
You were smart in getting verification from different labs, to make sure lab errors which happen can be eliminated from your scenario, verify is wise. Let others think about such, verify, even if you have to see another doc, or different test, you need to know.
Posted 1/21/2009 7:06 PM (GMT 0)
Wayne,

With the shift back and forth between .2 and .15, I'd watch and wait on this one for a while. It may turn out to be tissue left behind causing the slight PSA. As you know, the prostate has poorly defined edges making it difficult to remove virtually all tissue. Many studies say small tissue remains can indeed produce small amounts of PSA.

Swim
Posted 1/21/2009 7:25 PM (GMT 0)
It's not like the prostate unbolts from the back of the bladder with a little gasket behind, wish it were that easy.
Posted 1/21/2009 11:34 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Wayne, as you can see below, even after salvage radiation, I seem to be stuck around 0.4 PSA, it has been this way since the operation, my Urologist said a few cells may have escaped, as there was microscopic evidence of escape from the capsule, also said the cells should be in the prostate bed, and the radiation should have got them, apparently the radiation has long term effect, and takes a while to kill the cells, my next PSA is in March, so we will see what happens.

Regards Mal.
Posted 1/22/2009 12:36 AM (GMT 0)
Rp in 1995. Pre op Psa 7.2. Gleason 2+1.  Psa 0.2 in 1997. Psa is now 0.5. So far I have received no additional treatment. As you can see my gleason is low and not as typical for PC as your 3+3 is. Best wishes, Al

 

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