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Salvage radiation therapy after radical prostatectomy

Prostate Cancer | Last Active: 3 days ago | Replies (65)
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@michaelcharles

there are regular PSA tests which generally measure PSA to .1 and anything less is reported as < .1

And < .1 is the goal post surgery

And there are ultrasensitive PSA tests (uPSA) which have lower levels of detection: Quest Labs limit of accurate sensitivity is < .02

Johns Hopkins is, or was, < .03

I have seen reports into the 3 digits, such as < .008

Honestly, not sure why there are different tests to such low levels. 🤔

I infer that allows a patient to follow any rise in PSA post treatment, even at extremely low levels.

If my PSA rose for example to .04 from < .02, I would "lose my mind", but I do not think that it would trigger any treatment; certainly would trigger closer monitoring.

One friend post surgery and post salvage treatment is being tested to < .1 level.

I believe that some MDs feel it reduces anxiety w/o impacting negatively on care and treatment to test to < .1

SE is shorthand for Side Effects (sorry)

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Replies to "there are regular PSA tests which generally measure PSA to .1 and anything less is reported..."
retireddoc | @retireddoc | Jun 17 10:21am

My MO at Johns Hopkins uses regular PSA test (Labcorp undetectable is < 0.1). When I asked him why he didn't use the ultra sensitive test he said, 1) the ultra sensitive tends not to be accurate a low numbers and the results can fluctuate, 2) the PSA would have to rise above 0.1 before it would trigger possible additional testing i.e. another PSMA PET. Makes sense to me. I've had enough anxiety without watching an ultra sensitive test yoyo and not do anything about it.

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