	AllExperts > Pathology
	Search

About Neha Dahiya MD
Expertise
I can help patients understand their lab report results, help them with queries regarding what pretest preparation is required. How often a follow up test needs to be done. What does a particular tissue biopsy report mean in everyday English. I can explain the biopsy or cytology procedure. I can deal with Histopathology / cytology / clinical pathology and clinical chemistry queries. Helping in this manner will be my contribution to the community.

Experience
I am a pathologist and director of clinical laboratory services. I have been a practicing pathologist for last 9 years in a 350 bed multi specialty hospital laboratory.

Organizations
Indian association of pathologists and microbiologists.
MIAC - Member International Academy of Cytology
International association of Pathologists - indian division
Indian association of Cytology

Education/Credentials
MD (pathology) MBA

You are here: Experts > Health/Fitness > Medical Specialists > Pathology > Prostatectomy Follow Up PSA Test

Pathology - Prostatectomy Follow Up PSA Test

Expert: Neha Dahiya MD - 11/6/2009

Question
On Sept 17, 2009 I had da Vinci surgery to remove my prostate. My first month PSA test resulted in 0.4. This reading would indicate that there are cells still active. I have recently read studies and trials which indicate that receiving IMRT during the first 18 weeks following surgery gives me a better chance of not having to deal with PCa in the future. My surgeon suggests that I wait until my surgery follow-up which is scheduled at 4 months post surgery. I would like to have my PSA retested before that.

My questions; 1)How often can I realistically have my PSA retested. 2)How can I insure that the lab will run the ultra-sensitive post surgery type of PSA testing. I realize that anything below .1 is considered un-detectable, but I want to make sure that the 0.4 results were accurate if I am to consider IMRT within the 18 weeks window as suggested by the studies in the Urology Journal recently.

Thank you for a speedy reply to my question.

Answer
Hello Sonny:

Ideally all PSA tests including the baseline (the first test) should be done in the same lab using the same equipment and test method. all clinical labs are certified labs and have to have quality control/ assurance to indicate that their test results are reliable.

Changing the lab every time you get a PSA level done can lead to minor variations in reported results.

The post surgery PSA levels take some time to go to undetectable levels as the body takes time to flush out the pre surgery PSA. The time depends upon how high the pre surgery levels were. In general about three months after surgery there should be no detectable PSA in the blood.

I believe the surgeons recommend to have the PSA levels tested every 3-4 months

Add to this Answer Ask a Question