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Why do different cancer center us different PSA undetectable limits
For example, MSKCC uses a threshold of .05 for PSA to be considered undetectable. JHU uses .02. I think the Cleveland Clinic uses . 03.
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A large number of places consider < .1 To be undetectable. That’s what Mayo goes by so does Kaiser.
They're different tests.
The regular PSA test goes down to 0.1 (or sometimes 0.2). The ultrasensitive PSA test goes down to 0.01 or lower.
If you're expected to have some PSA — e.g. routine screening or monitoring — then there's no extra benefit from the uPSA test. However, if you have metastatic castrate-sensitive prostate cancer, to goal is to hold your PSA at zero, and the uPSA test gives earlier warning if it's starting to move.
There are rare cases of prostate cancer progressing when PSA is < 1.0, and very rare cases < 0.1, but I have read of none (yet) of cancer progressing when PSA < 0.01. That's helpful for oncologists trying to decide whether a new spot of lucency on a scan is cause for concern.