Quick Facts
- Sample: Blood serum
- Fasting: Not required
- Turn-around: 3-4 business days. May take longer based on weather, holiday, or lab delays.
Benefits
- Earlier recurrence detection - identifies cancer return up to 18 months sooner than standard PSA tests (Mayo Clinic Laboratories 2019)
- Ultra-precise monitoring - detects PSA levels as low as 0.001 ng/mL for comprehensive surveillance
- Treatment optimization - enables timely decisions about salvage therapy and intervention strategies
- Direct access convenience - no physician referral required for ongoing cancer monitoring
- Cost-effective surveillance - reduces need for frequent medical appointments while maintaining vigilant care
- Confidential results - private access to sensitive health information with secure reporting
Who Is This Test For?
- Men who have undergone radical prostatectomy for prostate cancer treatment
- Patients with high-risk prostate cancer features requiring enhanced monitoring
- Cancer survivors needing long-term biochemical recurrence surveillance
- Men considering or undergoing salvage radiotherapy treatment decisions
- Individuals wanting precise baseline PSA measurements for future comparison
- Patients seeking proactive health management after prostate cancer diagnosis
How It Works – Just 3 Steps
- Schedule & Collect - Visit any participating lab location for a simple blood draw, no appointment needed
- Advanced Analysis - Your sample undergoes electrochemiluminescence testing for ultra-precise PSA measurement
- Secure Results - Access your confidential results online within 3-4 business days with interpretation guidance
FAQ
What makes this test different from regular PSA screening? This ultrasensitive test measures PSA levels 100 times lower than standard tests, specifically designed for post-treatment monitoring rather than initial cancer screening.
How accurate is ultrasensitive PSA testing? Clinical studies show 96% specificity and 100% sensitivity when using 0.03 ng/mL threshold for detecting cancer recurrence (Nature 2016).
When should I avoid taking this test? Wait at least 6 weeks after prostatic biopsy procedures and discontinue biotin supplements 72 hours before blood collection.
Can this test replace regular doctor visits? No, this test supplements your cancer care team's monitoring but doesn't replace regular oncology appointments and clinical evaluations.
How often should I repeat this test? Most patients benefit from testing every 3-6 months, though your specific schedule should align with your cancer care team's recommendations.
More Details
What is the purpose of this test?
The ultrasensitive PSA blood test measures prostate-specific antigen levels with exceptional precision, detecting concentrations as low as 0.001 ng/mL using advanced electrochemiluminescence technology. This enhanced sensitivity makes it invaluable for monitoring patients following prostate cancer treatment, enabling early detection of biochemical recurrence months before conventional testing methods (Mayo Clinic Laboratories 2019).
Unlike standard PSA screening tests, ultrasensitive PSA specifically targets post-treatment surveillance. It provides critical early warning capabilities, identifying potential cancer recurrence an average of 300 days earlier than conventional PSA testing, allowing for timely medical intervention and treatment optimization (European Association of Urology 2023).
Who would benefit from this test?
Men who have undergone radical prostatectomy represent the primary beneficiaries of ultrasensitive PSA monitoring. This includes patients with high-risk features such as positive surgical margins, advanced tumor stage, or elevated pre-operative PSA levels who require enhanced surveillance protocols (American Urological Association 2023).
Cancer survivors participating in long-term surveillance programs also benefit significantly from this precision testing. The enhanced sensitivity enables risk stratification and guides clinical decision-making regarding adjuvant or salvage therapy timing, particularly valuable given that 20.8% of patients experience biochemical recurrence after radical prostatectomy (PubMed 2020).
When should I order this test?
Testing should begin 6-8 weeks after prostate surgery and continue at regular intervals as recommended by clinical guidelines. Avoid testing within 6 weeks of prostatic biopsy procedures to prevent artificially elevated results (LabCorp 2024).
Schedule testing consistently using the same laboratory methodology for accurate serial monitoring. Most patients benefit from testing every 3-6 months during the first two years post-treatment, with intervals potentially extending based on consistently undetectable results and clinical risk assessment.
How do I interpret the results?
PSA Level < 0.01 ng/mL:
- What it means: Undetectable - reassuring result
- Typical action: Continue routine monitoring
PSA Level 0.01 - 0.03 ng/mL:
- What it means: Low detectable - requires monitoring
- Typical action: Clinical correlation and repeat testing
PSA Level ≥ 0.03 ng/mL:
- What it means: Elevated - suggests recurrence
- Typical action: Urgent medical evaluation recommended
Rising trend:
- What it means: Biochemical progression
- Typical action: Consider advanced imaging (PSMA-PET)
Patients with undetectable ultrasensitive PSA (<0.01 ng/mL) after surgery demonstrate 92.4% biochemical recurrence-free survival at 5 years.
Disclaimer: Reference ranges may vary by laboratory. Listed ranges are general guidelines and may differ from those used by the performing lab. Always consult your healthcare provider for interpretation.
Pre-test preparation
No fasting is required for ultrasensitive PSA testing. Discontinue biotin supplementation 72 hours before blood collection, as biotin can interfere with electrochemiluminescence assays and affect result accuracy (Request A Test 2024).
Avoid PSA testing for at least 6 weeks following prostatic biopsy procedures. Standard blood draw preparation applies, with no special handling requirements beyond routine blood transport protocols.
How often should I get tested?
- First 2 years post-surgery: Every 3-6 months
- Years 2-5 with undetectable PSA: Every 6 months
- Beyond 5 years, stable results: Annually
- Rising or detectable levels: Every 2-3 months
- High-risk features present: Every 3 months initially
Why early detection matters
Early detection of biochemical recurrence provides a crucial therapeutic window for intervention. Ultrasensitive PSA testing offers a median lead-time advantage of 18 months over conventional PSA testing, enabling salvage treatments when they are most effective (National Comprehensive Cancer Network 2023).
Studies demonstrate that patients identified through ultrasensitive monitoring have better treatment outcomes and survival rates. This early warning system empowers patients to make informed decisions about their healthcare, particularly important given that prostate cancer affects approximately 1 in 8 men during their lifetime (American Cancer Society 2024).
Related tests you may consider
Free PSA and PSA Ratio - Provides additional specificity when total PSA levels are borderline, helping distinguish between benign and malignant causes of PSA elevation.
Cancer Screening Panel, Men – Offers a comprehensive blood test panel designed to help detect potential signs of cancer in men by evaluating key tumor markers and organ function indicators associated with common male-specific and general cancers.
Cardio Plus Blood Test Panel plus Prostate-specific Antigen (PSA) – Combines comprehensive heart health screening, including cholesterol, inflammation, and metabolic markers, with PSA testing to evaluate prostate health and support early detection of prostate conditions.
