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Wilbert,
The very short answer is PSA greater than 0.2 is considered recurrence by most of the research studies I've read lately but use that number in the context of all the background information Terry has provided in his post.
You are missing the point. A recurrence can only occur if the PSA went undetectable and then became detectable. The disease is then said to have recurred.
If the PSA has never been undetectable, as is the case with Wilbert, the disease cannot be said to have recurred.
The PSA may still be on the way down to undetectable for any of the reasons I mentioned previously. If it is, then it might be wise to see if the disease recurs, as indicated by a rising PSA. On the other hand, if the PSA does not go down or goes up and there is no evidence of gland left behind, then it is likely that the surgery did not deal with the problem adequately and it would be appropriate to consider further treatment,
I realise that some people will think this is nit-picking, but there is enough confusion as it is and I think it is important to try to use the correct terms as far as is possible.
No Terry, that is not nit-picking, that is clarification and I appreciate it. After dealing with this disease, and this website, for so many years you have a valuable knowledge base to share.
As always I'm the guy that reads this forum daily but rarely posts.
Thank you for the clarification. Also got the results of the repeated PSA test today, .33 , about the same as the test a week ago.Unfortunatly no lab error. In addition to seeing the onclogist. I guess the next think to do is talk with the urlogist also to see how we find out how much prostate material in left in me.
There is a good deal to absorb and I haven't had a chance to study it fully myself, but at first read it seems to make some good points for you to consider.
Terry,
Good information. My cancer center does always give the combo hormone/radiation for salvage treatment as of recently. They also wouldn't change the amount of radiation I got(66 greys). I tried to get an extra dose.
P.S. - You used the term detectable and undetectable. I was thinking that we all (including my oncologist) could be clearer if we used specific numbers. I believe undectable means less than 0.1 even though the ultrasensitive test will measure down to .008 or even less. (I have read the link on the PSA test)
Thank you for this information. This read has given me a lot of information to consider before deciding to opt for radiation treatment now (Advanjunt), or waiting (Salvage) to see if PSA changes. I think I'll show it to the RO when I go in.
Decided to go ahead with the EBRT adjunt therpy will have first treatment next week. Hoping for the best on side effects No ADT for now. Doctors want to see if PSA goes down from EBRT before going on to Hormones.
