Is The PCA3 Test Available Everywhere? - Cancer: Prostate Message Board

csyleen · 09-09-2008, 11:25 AM

I have been to three urologists. Now of which have mentioned this test, despite my PSA being slightly elevated. (between 4 and 5) Is this a more accurate test than a biopsy? If so why aren't doctors doing this test prior to a biopsy? What concerns me is all these posts on how many times a biopsy has missed cancer. If anyone has had a PCA3 test lately, please let me know. Are doctors reluctant to doing this test?

medved · 09-09-2008, 12:06 PM

A urine PCA3 test is available in Europe (distributed by a company called Gen-Probe), but I am not personally aware of its use in the USA other than in studies. You might try calling Gen-Probe or contacing Dr. Nakanishi at MD Andersen in Houston, who has done research on this. You might also be interested in a May 2008 article on this subject in the Journal of Urology.

maxman526 · 09-09-2008, 07:13 PM

I just had the pca3 test and my doctor said I was the first to ever ask for it and because I was willing to seek out other doctors in my state who were up and running with test he decided to get up and running him self, bostwich lab in VA is who I contacted and they are the lab that does the analysis, mine came back negative 8.8 the cut off is 35, its ironic although its negative I'm scheduled for my 4th biopsy tomorrow because of the last three uro didn't take cores from the transition zone with my numbers both free and total not good he has to cover himself so at any rate I'm hoping for the best, good luck with your situation.

builder · 09-09-2008, 09:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by maxman526

I just had the pca3 test and my doctor said I was the first to ever ask for it and because I was willing to seek out other doctors in my state who were up and running with test he decided to get up and running him self, bostwich lab in VA is who I contacted and they are the lab that does the analysis, mine came back negative 8.8 the cut off is 35, its ironic although its negative I'm scheduled for my 4th biopsy tomorrow because of the last three uro didn't take cores from the transition zone with my numbers both free and total not good he has to cover himself so at any rate I'm hoping for the best, good luck with your situation.

Is the 8.8 a good or bad reading? Can you tell me what you mean by transition zone? What period of time have you had these biopsies? How bad are they? Thanks

maxman526 · 09-10-2008, 06:28 AM

the 8.8 is a low reading anything below the cut off of 35 if low risk and anything above is high risk as for the time frame of my three biopsies is 18 months 20 months if you count today's biopsy there is very little pain its not knowing what to expect the first time that caries all the anxiety once you go through one its not that bad.

Bob C