Sudden rise in PSA score

It sounds like a lab issue to me. I would want a retest now and again in a couple months to see the trend and I would certainly discuss it with your urologist and oncologist. It is something but probably too soon for you to panic and may be a non issue Good luck

Thanks. I am going to try to get a re-test as soon as possible. My doctor called in for another psa test tomorrow at Labcorp. I think they are reasonably reliable, and then I'll get a followup in another month or 2.

I am a Mayo Jacksonville patient but had proton radiation at UFPTI. What both stressed to me was PSA testing prior to and after to use same lab. Was told by several specialist that there can be difference in what one lab will have to the next from same blood sample.

My primary care doctor advised there is a base I think (not sure here) that below .003 mean undetectable as never comes back 0.

PSA according to my Mayo doctors is only produced by prostrate or prostrate cancer. If you still have a prostrate and have a rising or above normal PSA it can be irritation in prostrate or especially if above 4 prostrate cancer.

Now the standards are not always predictable of prostrate cancer. My last PSA before diagnosis was 3.75. Below 4 is normal. But my primary care doctor did not like the continuing rise in my PSA tests each time he did them. So referred me to urologist who did MRI, then biopsies, then cancer diagnosis.

If you have had your prostrate removed I would certainly ensure you are going to urologist and lab with a major provider. I know all can't go to Mayo depending on where you live but there are also many other major centers to go to.

Good luck but I would find a lab that your urologist and/or your R/O approve and stay with one lab.

I would be surprised if it wasn't a lab error.
Relax and smell the test tubes.

I've been using Labcorp all along, they've been consistent, however, you have to make sure your order specifies "ultra-sensitive PSA" test. The office messed up on one and we just threw the result away as it was only 0.0 as opposed to the ultra which has been consistently < .006 (fingers crossed, knocks on wood, scratch a stay...

Who gets the movie reference?

I just noticed something. The test with the high score was not a PSA test. When that failed to register on their machine, they did a PAP (prosthetic acid phosphatase) test. I had never even heard of one of these before. Maybe 1.2 isn't as dire as it sounds?

If the airlines had the same quality control as that lab, there'd be crashes everyday. People's lives are at stake...

The best way to obtain the most accurate and reliable PSA tests are to go to the same lab for every test you have performed!

What type of treatment did you have? That would make a big difference in expectations of PSA rising. If prostrate removed should be very low or not detectable. If radiation or other there will be PSA level and a rising number could be irritation or something else. If you still have your prostrate a high rise or continuing rise over time should be a sign for further testing.

Just passing on what my primary care doctor and I were discussing at last visit and not a medical answer from me.

Hello,
I had the “RALP” performed on 10/25/22. It was a very successful surgery. They removed 100% of any detectable cancer and my PSA has been steady at >0.014 from 10/26/22 to the current.
As I mentioned previously, the PSA and a Digital Exam are the two initial tests used to determine if further testing is warranted up until the need of a Prostate Biopsy which really tells the story about your current state of Prostate Cancer and suggests a time line for somewhat immediate treatment or “Active Surveillance and Watchful Waiting!” If you need immediate treatment then the surgical and radiation options are really the only viable choices to kill the cancer. Your number one priority is to rid yourself of the cancer. Take the amount of time you need to make the best decision for yourself and choose either option and begin your treatment, They both have the two man side effects of Incontinence and ED. The treatments are totally different but ultimately produce the same results. One of them will speak more loudly and clearly than the other and that’s the one to go with, when required, swift action is better than waiting around. Especially if that’s not a viable option for you.
Best wishes and good luck.
GODSPEED