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Post RRP of <0.1, 1st ultra result 0.13 - Should I account for different machines?

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Posted 11/14/2010 8:58 PM (GMT 0)
Had RRP May 17... 3 month PSA = 0.1

Just had 6 month using ultra sensitive and done by different lab.

Nurse says "good news, it's 0.13" - I dont see it that way, of course.

Think it's possible that SOME of the difference between the 0.1 and the 0.13

could be the machines themselves?

I'm going to re-test either way.

Thanks.. Bob F.

Posted 11/14/2010 9:06 PM (GMT 0)
Bob, I understand the concderns. I was having a conversation about the numbers last night with a very good frined that works in a lab. 0.1 and 0.13 are thehniquely the same measurement if the first instrument only went to the 1/10.

His comment to me when we were discussing the PSA numbers is that the machines are not perfect and there is a bit of varience in machines and definately between labs. This equipment must be calibrated on a certain schedule.

Saying that I do understand how this would cause you concern it would for me as well but dont pull the panic button just yet

Cajun jeff
Posted 11/14/2010 9:12 PM (GMT 0)

BobCape said...

Think it's possible that SOME of the difference between the 0.1 and the 0.13 could be the machines themselves?

Hello Bob,

There will be some possible test method-to-test method variation, but mathematically the two-decimal "0.13" would round to be "0.1" when reduced to a single-decimal value...so there really is no relevent difference between these results to point to.

I would agree that your concern about a 6-month post-RRP PSA result of 0.13 ng/mL.  If it were me, I would re-contact the nurse who said "good news", just to verify there isn't a decimal point issue here.  To me, 0.013 at 6-months would warrant a "good news" comment, but 0.13 ng/mL after RRP is not such good news.

Your re-test (with the same ultrasensitive test) in another coupla months sounds prudent.

good luck

Posted 11/14/2010 9:55 PM (GMT 0)
Bob,

Your thread title says <.1. If that is true, then <.1 and .13 are problematic.

Whatever, certainly a .13 is cause to begin exploring options, including a retest. As has been pointed out, a decimal place makes a big difference. That is why I insist on hard copy of all testing, and I keep a file of the results.

Keep us posted.
Posted 11/14/2010 10:20 PM (GMT 0)
Hi and thanks all, I just psoted a reply here but dont see it.

3 mo they said was .1, then said that is the lowest they go, so it is effectively <0.1.

This one using ultra - I gave blood at the same place CC Hospital, and they said the ultra would take the same time to get results as the 1st one... later in the day. But it went on from Tue morning blood draw until Friday afternoon before my rad onc nurse could get the result. They had sent it out to be done.

If I went from undetectable to 0.13 in 3 months, that is scary.

On the otherhand, If the 1st test only went to .1 or .2, it could have actually been 1.3, rounded to .1 (they wouldn't give out the result as.2???). RIGHT? It could only have been read as .1 or .2.

I dunno, when the rad onc nurse - who knows i'm stressing about the result, tells me it's "0.13 and that's good" - I have to wonder about all of it.

I happen to have appt in Boston Tue with my uro who did the surgery.. having done thousands of them, i'm sure he'll need the chart to remember me.

I thought I had paid the price by having the surgery. Silly me.

Bob F.
Posted 11/14/2010 10:34 PM (GMT 0)
Bob,

I have my PSA drawn at a hospital, because I can go to the records office, sign a release and get a hard copy. This makes me feel better. I am hopeful it is just a case of a mistated result. Sounds like you could do the same thing.
Posted 11/14/2010 10:46 PM (GMT 0)

Bob,  I just had the same thing happen to me.  All of my post op PSA's were <0.1 for the first two years.  Last week at the 2 1/2 year mark I switched to the ultra sensitive test and it came back at 0.12.  I have an appointment with my onc tomorrow to schedule a retest and make any necessary plans.  I'm ready to start SRT if the recurrence is confirmed.

Carlos

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