Positive PSA after RALP

[Guest guest]

I have had more than one e-mail, and some discussion

on the Yana forum about positive PSA results

after surgery – particularly RALP (Robotic Assisted Laparoscopic Surgery).

Some of these seem to be linked to what appears to be becoming a common practice

of testing within four to six weeks of the procedure, as opposed to what used

to be a ‘standard’ of 3 months. But others are seeing a rise in PSA

some time after the procedure and that is very worrying for them.

My standard response to men who raise these issues is

to tell the ones in the first group to have more tests done at a further

interval of about six weeks – and to suggest they read Arnod Krongrad’s

piece The Major’s PSA at http://www.laprp.com/article.php?aid=278 & type=4 & r=4 & page=2

: to the second, whose concern often is related to very small changes in

ultra-sensitive test, I suggest they read the piece I wrote at http://www.yananow.net/UltraPSA.htm

But, having been through that process, there remain

some men who still have unresolved problems and who have been told that the

positive PSA may come from some prostate gland tissue that was not removed in

the surgery – which I would have thought was a bit dodgy, given the

multi-focal nature of PCa. Today I have had a second mail from a man who has

been told that it is very difficult with the laparoscopic procedure to ensure

that the entire gland is removed in sme cases because of th size and situation

of the gland.

Anyone have any input in this?

All the best

Terry Herbert

I have no medical qualifications but I was diagnosed

in ‘96: and have learned a bit since then.

My sites are at www.yananow.net

and www.prostatecancerwatchfulwaiting.co.za

Dr

“Snuffy” Myers : " As a physician, I am painfully aware that most of the decisions

we make with regard to prostate cancer are made with inadequate data "