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Post prostatectomy: What do rising PSA levels mean?

Prostate Cancer | Last Active: Apr 19 7:55am | Replies (218)

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@jsh327

Several alternatives are possible. What was your PSA value before your prostatectomy? Gleason 3+4 or 4+3?

It is unusual to have a PSA test 30 days after a prostatectomy. Why was a PSA test done so soon after your operation? What were the tumor pathology (e.g. margins) report results? Confirmed 3+4 or 4+3?

I presume that your PSA will be measured again 60 days after surgery. At that time, you will have two data points and know whether the PSA value after your prostatectomy is decreasing, constant, or increasing. That information will guide you and your medical team on likely reasons for the PSA value: decreasing - first test too early, constant - possible some prostate tissue remained in the prostate bed after surgery, increasing - likely prostate cancer cells outside of prostate.

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Replies to "Several alternatives are possible. What was your PSA value before your prostatectomy? Gleason 3+4 or 4+3?..."

It was 3/4 and I don't know why the blood test so soon afterwards... perhaps the doc wanted to go on vacation? or he wanted me to get a PET scan done which he said he would if it doesn't go down. After seeing the result he ordered another blood test in a week, that would be 5 weeks after the surgery.