TaurusBull-first time poster- concerns about possible reoccurance. Was No Subject

There is no way to say that your situation is fun but at least cool it for three days until you see your uro -- perhaps your self diagnosis is too pessimistic. In any case, then you will have a better idea of what you are up against and what your options are.

Hi Taurus, Welcome to Healing Well.

I noticed your PSA numbers are only to one digit after the decimal - the same resolution as the typical PSA "screening" test. A "diagnostic" PSA will give you two digits after the decimal point -some labs can even do three digits.
Hypothetically, you could have had a PSA of 0.14 that was rounded to 0.1, followed by a 0.16 that was rounded to 0.2. You cannot tell because the resolution was not there.
Please check to see if the lab you are using has the capability. A phone call to the lab should answer that question. Be persistent. Look at the lab work order sheet you have been getting and see which box is checked: Screen or Diagnostic. The difference is significant. Discuss this with your Uro.
(If your Uro says the extra resolution only results in PSA anxiety, ask what box he would check if he wanted results for himself.)
Good luck,
Jeff

Thanks for all your comments and insight people - they are deeply appreciated. I'll let you know what the uro suggests after my Wed. appointment. Jeff, I hear you loud and clear on the PSA decimal. I use Quest Labs and they have always reported to one decimal place. However, one of the items I was intending on bringing up to the doc is that perhaps it's time to move on to the ultra-sensitive assay.

Best,

Fred

I understand the desire for two decimal places, but so close to the detection limit, I'd question whether the second digit is very meaningful.

Taurus, your PSA results look pretty consistent to me. Four test results, all between 0.1 and 0.2. I'm not arguing there's no cause for concern, but I don't think there's yet cause for alarm. Your urologist will likely have more useful information for you.

So, I went to my urologist appointment on Wed (2/3). He wasn't too alarmed about the 0.2 ng/ml result. I did ask him about greater sensitivity PSA tests. He said in theory they make sense, but many labs struggle with being able to accurately test to a greater than one-place decimal sensitivity. However, he did order the more sensitive test; one to take now, and then another in 3 months. I stopped at the lab today, so I'll know the result next week. The next thing I asked for was my post-surgical path report - see signature for details. I never cared too much about it when I was in the zero club, but now I have a copy of it in my hands. As for the next step, we will collect a few more PSA data points. I was probably a bit hasty in calculating my PSADT and then freaking out about it based on only four readings taken over six months at barely the detection limit. As my surgical margins were negative, he doesn't believe SRT would do much good now. I tend to agree. If the margins were positive, I'd feel a bit differently about SRT. Most important thing now is absolute PSA and PSADT.

Sephie, I see your husband's story in your signature. That is truly amazing and uplifting - may it continue forever!