Index results: PSA levels

The Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) reading remains important post-operatively. After surgery, each patient will have a PSA test initially at intervals of three months, six months and thereafter at intervals dependent upon their individual needs.

A highly sensitive PSA measurement is used, which can detect the smallest amount of the prostate specific antigen. A score equal to or below 0.01ng/ml is considered to be optimal, indicating the treatment has eliminated all cancer cells. Of the group with PSA levels above the optimal level, about 50 per cent will require further prostate cancer treatment, such as radiotherapy.

This represents a ‘cure’ rate from nerve-sparing surgery of 95 per cent.