PCA3

Just got my PCA3 results, it came back at 26. Last time it was 13. (2 years ago). So not good.

I got the results from the nurse, she told me it points only to me having the PC gene not that PC is present. I found it if thats the case that it would go from 13 two years ago, to 26 now, if that was the case. She said the last one might have just not been a great sample.

Anyone have any insight into this? Is it just showing genetics, or is it showing genetic material levels that are present in cancer cells?

I think i am farked.

Thanks John,
I was actually just about to post again. The nurse told me that the cutoff is 25, so its on the cusp, in her words. The last time, i spoke with the nurse as well, it was a different nurse, she also told me it was 25. And yet, when i google for it, i see multiple people saying its 35, as you said. So confusing.

Is there any significance that you know of, in that it was 13 two years ago, and 26 now?

I'm not so sure about the PCA3 test anyway.

We did one before my biopsy, with a score of 31, so mid-ground between a 25 and 35 cutoff. Fortunately, my uro felt 25 was more appropriate, and a further indication to go ahead with a biopsy. That's all that test is meant to do, is help decide if a biopsy is warranted or not. It's not meant to be "diagnostic".

In my case, I had a rip-roaring G9 case flaring up, and that silly PCA3 test might have suggested not even having the biopsy. So, I don't think I'm a fan of PCA3. It's either not sensitive enough, or not specific enough.

Jerry

Yeah, Prat, I was the one who said that.
Mine was like 75 or something like that. It made me do the biopsy ASAP.

I was told 35. I think your score is very good.

Mel

The FDA approval of the PCA3 test in 2012 used the score of 25 as a cut-off. See:

http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/cdrh_docs/pdf10/P100033b.pdf