How are PSA Prostate Specific Antigen tests' results' history interpreted?

[theszak]

How are PSA Prostate Specific Antigen tests' results' history interpreted?...

[JoelT]

Your question isn't very clear, but let me take a stab. We are concerned about your PSA history because almost more important than the actual number is the rate of change in the PSA. We need to know the history so we can calculate how quickly the number increases. We use the metric called doubling time to project the aggressiveness of the cancer.

Doubling time is the amount of time it takes for your PSA to double. For instance the amount of time it takes to go from 2 to 4 and to 8 and then to 16. The less time it takes to double the more aggressive the cancer.

History of PSA is also important because post primary treatment we need to find your nadir, which is the lowest stable number you reach. We then need to monitor when and if you move higher then your nadir.

Plotting on a graph your PSA history also can alert us to a potential problem if we see an up click, irregular change in the slope of the PSA graph.

Joel

[Tall_Allen]

It's impossible to answer that without knowing what your current status is - pre-biopsy, post-radiation, post surgery, advanced prostate cancer, or metastatic prostate cancer. Also, whether you are taking or have taken any kind of hormone therapy. Give your PSA history as well.