I’m having my first PSA test post operation this week and seeing the consultant Thursday of next. Hoping for a good result and get a zero. Below what level is the PSA considered okay at this stage? I’m a bit puzzled cause my PSA was only 4.08 before the operation but I got a 4+4 on the Gleason score and my consultant advised me it should have been 18 or 19 as my cancer was Aggressive. Something was stopping the PSA from showing at a higher level. I got good results from the operation as margins were negative for cancer but have had a lot of complications. Infection from the lymphatic fluid which was leaning on a vain and causing P.E. in both lungs. It also made my incontinence worse although I am on one number 1 pad must days and am being told that’s good for this stage. Fatigue is bad most days but I’m managing to get out and about. Some pain in my right testicle and internally. On anticoagulant injections which are causing soreness in the injection sites. Hopefully I will get good news over the next two weeks. Andy advise or guidance would be appreciated.
First PSA post operation : I’m having... - Prostate Cancer A...
First PSA post operation
Ask for an ultrasensitive PSA test. Your PSA should be undetectable (<0.01) at 3 months post-prostatectomy. With some virulent cancers, PSA does not go up in proportion to the amount of cancer,
Thanks.
no special knowledge to offer, but just good wishes! you've been through enough, a good result would be most welcome!
Thanks, reading some of the posts on here I can see it’s a long tough road and I’m at an earlier stage of it. Hoping the operation is enough to keep the cancer at bay. My consultant believes I will need further treatment but is not sure when on the basis of the aggressiveness of the cancer. Maybe I might get lucky. Both my parents died from cancer, my Dad got 4 years from diagnosis with prostate cancer until he died.
I had the blood test taken yesterday and asked for an ultrasensitive test but the doctors office did not even know what it was. I suppose that’s what comes of living in a small place. I will ask the consultant when I meet him next week. I should have the result of the test before then. The waiting is always the worst.
Our paths seem to be similar. Good luck with your PSA. My first after 3 months waa 0.05, so not undetectable. I'm happy to blaze a trail for you. LOL Let me know if you have any questions.
Thanks for the reply. I have read through your posts and replies and its clear I have a lot to learn. There does appear to be some differences. My PSA pre-operation was only 4.08 and on the basis of my 2.3 cm tumour and 2 lymph nodes cancerous it should have been much higher. As I result from reading posts on here & what the surgical team have said I suspect that the type of aggressive cancer I have does not produce PSA in the same levels. This produces a tough question as treatment generally appears to be based on the PSA level. I am going to have to push for regular scans but am not sure what type and how often. The positive I’m clinging on to at present is that the surgical margins were negative. Really hoping he got it all and that I don’t need further treatment as I saw my Dad go through both. Radiation treatment had no effect on him and I already have bad diverticular disease and cannot afford any further damage being done to my bowel.
My fear of hormone treatment it’s more psychological feels like my entire masculinity is being stripped from me. I also fear weight gain and depression as an ex-partner who was being treated for Prostate cancer last year hung him self and I’m determined not to go the same path. However it appears inevitable that I will be on hormone treatment sooner or later. Obviously my hope is for very much later. Sorry about such a long reply but it helps. I’m so happy that I found this group and it helps a lot to read the posts and get the support.
Crossing fingers for a good result Bcgkelly. Let us know the outcome of the discussion with your doctor.
Wish you well, Paulo
I got the PSA test results from the doctors and it’s 0.035 so it’s above the level I was hoping for. Looks like I will be heading straight into further treatment. Disappointed.
Mine was 0,04 and my doctor was pleased. What did your doctor say? Don’t you have to wait for at least 2 for a decision?
I won’t be seeing the consultant until next Thursday. I just got the result from the doctors office. Did you need to have further treatment straight away?
Mine was .08 and my Dr. said that was considered undetectable until 0.1 and he was pleased with this. This level was post surgery. 8 weeks. I go back in January for a 4 month test. About 95 percent urine controls back an occ. spurt of I move the wrong way. No flicker of an erection yet. Surgery was August 20.
No, not at all. My doctor was pleased with the result and prescribed me another psa for October.
He told me that for my case (pt2, Gleason 8 ....) there is a statistic of 1/3 of nothing happening and this is high enough for a decision right away.
We need to wait for the next psa.
Good luck on your first post-op PSA. I know waiting is a nail-biter. I had my first blood test post-radiation treatment on Tuesday, and just found out the results yesterday. PSA is undetectable. I hope yours is also. Even if it's high, remember that you will have treatment options in this modern world of miracle medicines.
As for hormone therapy, I've been on it for a few months. It's a bizarre and sometimes frightening feeling to not have erections or even interest in sex. However, at least in the short-term, I'm taking this as a year-long vacation from sex. In a way it's been liberating and has allowed me to be more creative in my life. Daily exercise, care in diet, and a positive outlook are crucial for coping.
Glad to connect with someone on hormone treatment. You must be pleased to be undetectable under what level is that? I am 0.035. Was hoping to be lower but they say it’s okay once it’s under 0.05. Meeting with the specialist next week.
Actually, the nurse just said to me undetectable...I need to follow up and get the exact number to keep track. Going in for next injection of Lupron in two weeks. How are you adjusting to the drug?
Actually I’m not on any hormone treatment at this stage. I’m meeting with the consultant on Thursday to discuss the results of the PSA test. I got the result from my doctors office in advance.
I like your attitude to it as I have a fear of it. I have been told that I will need it at some point but they are not sure if it will be straight away or later depending on how successful the operation was in clearing the cancer.
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