Hi Guys
Feels like I’m joining a dating app. (Although I’ve no idea what that’s like)
On my wife’s recommendation I’ve joined you all here. Pushing it to the back of my mind and thinking it will go away won’t help me kick it. Psa down from 11.4 to post surgery 0.03. Recovery going really well. I’ll have to monthly monitor my psa and decide my next move if psa rises.
This is my first time to ever reach out!
Welcome, you are in the right place. Finding your way through the maze of treatments can make you a nervous wreak. Doctors don't know everything and that is where we come in.
Sounds like you are doing well so far. Good luck.
Just talking is good medicine
Welcome.
In this forum, there is a wealth of information that one certainly ignores. I can attest to that.
Your case looks similar to the following, so you can start from here:
Welcome! My husband had an RP and did become undetectable but his PSA slowly rose to .2 and therefore he started salvage radiation. Keep an eye on your PSA. This is a great group.
What was your surgical pathology?
Welcome -- we don't bite. Not as a rule, anyway.<G>
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Extraprostatic extension 2mm, no lymph nodes taken , surgical margins negative which seem a contradiction!
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Not at all contradictory.
There was an extraprostatic extension of the tumor, and the surgeon saw or felt it, and removed it along with the prostate, and some tissue surrounding the extension. So, when the pathologist stained the surface of the removed tissue, there were no cancerous cells visible.
The pathologist examines a bunch of samples from the surface, not every cell. But their findings are pretty reliable.
. Charles
Such low PSA post surgery is often from some benign prostate tissue left. If benign tissue your PSA will plateau at a low value or disappear. 0.1 is the "magical number" where you could act. Note that SRT at 0.5 is still called "early SRT".
Too frequent and too detailed PSA tests often causes unnecessary anxiety. Focus on your physical and penile recovery and forget the 0.03 for now.
Try to get monthly ultra sensitive PSA tests.
Then track the doubling rate.
The PSA can be high temporarily after treatment... For some time.
Welcome Davick,
How many weeks after surgery did you get your PSA?
I got tested at 7 weeks, 0.01. Now at 17 months, I'm 0.03. I have (Persistent Stress Anxiety)over testing. I sometimes wonder if the ultra sensitive test is really a blessing. Having said that, I keep a positive outlook and am proactive can do.
'0.03' would be considered undetectable - too low for a significant margin of error. The test instruments accurate to 2 digits (0.00) are sensitive, but there are other more sensitive instruments out there - some to 3 digits (0.000).
When you are at the bottom end, you'd might expect to see something like 0.10 or 0.100 - where the 'jump' goes beyond the margin of error that SOME instruments report. Depends on the quality of the instrument AND using the same lab for comparison purposes.
You'll need to keep watching - every 3 months get a PSA done - at this stage of the disease, it is too early to tell - the PSA will be the initial key marker to watch.
IF it rises above '0', and there is a rise for 2 consecutive 'cycles', you'll need to consult an MO to figure what your next best options might be.
Wishing you the best ....
Keep monitoring. When and if it ever reaches 2.0, you get a then current state of the art scan.
Hi, congratulations on your wife encouraging you to join. It is a great forum, lots of excellent advice and camaraderie.
My diagnosis was very similar to yours, 3 + 4, T3a, you can find out more in my posts and profile. My PSA has risen to .2 post RP and am now about to start radiotherapy. I feel lucky that the cancer is treatable and the long term prognosis good.
Good luck and best wishes,
Marc
6 month PSA measurement
High PSA after surgery
PSA results
Typical PSA Level Decay Post-SBRT?
Rising PSA levels after surgery
