PCA3 testing in the U.S.?
JayTKR
test.
It looks interesting, and it looks like it could be useful in deciding
whether or not to go ahead with a biopsy in some situations.
So far, it looks like it is not readily available in the United States
although it is available in other countries. MZB was able to get his done
at the University of Michigan Medical Center, but that appears to have been
possible because they have a molecular testing lab facility there.
Does anyone know if the PCA3 test is covered by any insurance carriers in
the United States? One website I found seemed to indicate that it may be
covered by Medicare and Medicaid, but I am not sure if that is correct.
Also, does anyone know if there is a way to find out where else in the U.S.
that the PCA3 test may be available? I am in Southern New Jersey, near
Philadelphia, PA.
Steve Jordan
(snip)
> Does anyone know if the PCA3 test is covered by any insurance carriers in
> the United States? One website I found seemed to indicate that it may be
> covered by Medicare and Medicaid, but I am not sure if that is correct.
I do not know the answer, sorry to say. But check with Bostwick,
as mentioned below.
> Also, does anyone know if there is a way to find out where else in the U.S.
> that the PCA3 test may be available? I am in Southern New Jersey, near
> Philadelphia, PA.
It is available from Bostwick Laboratories. They call it PCA3 Plus.
See
https://www.bostwicklaboratories.com/HOME/services/prostate/pca3plus.aspx
or
http://tinyurl.com/yfrpppu
Regards,
Steve J
JayTKR
hear back from them if I do get a reply.
MZB
the results tomorrow or very early next week.
It is nerve-wracking as that test looks quite accurate.
I have no idea if my insurance covers it. I would have to assume not (as it
is experimental). It may be that Umich eats the cost as part of its clinical
investigations. I don't know. They did not have me sign anything.
I didn't ask about cost as that is not an issue if this test is as good as
it seems. If the results are good, I get to avoid some unpleasant tests!
Mel
"JayTKR" <Jay...@ertyurtio.ghj> wrote in message
news:hdhms0$omr$1...@news.eternal-september.org...
Les
> Also, does anyone know if there is a way to find out where else in the U.S.
> that the PCA3 test may be available? I am in Southern New Jersey, near
> Philadelphia, PA.
I had the PCA3 done early this year. The results came back above the
threshhold for normal. A biopsy confirmed that I did have cancer.
I'm in north Alabama and Blue Cross Blue Shield paid for the test.
- les
Les
> I had the PCA3 done early this year. The results came back above the
> threshhold for normal. A biopsy confirmed that I did have cancer.
> I'm in north Alabama and Blue Cross Blue Shield paid for the test.
I should add that the PCA3 was rather uncomfortable. It involves a
prostate massage (the painful part) followed by a urine sample
collecting the first urine quantity that is voided. Unfortunately the
first test kit had expired and I had to return a few days later for a
second sample. :-(
- les
JayTKR
hear back from them if I do get a reply.
JayTKR
> On Nov 12, 10:53 am, "JayTKR" <Jay...@ertyurtio.ghj> wrote:
>
>> Also, does anyone know if there is a way to find out where else in
>> the U.S. that the PCA3 test may be available? I am in Southern New
>> Jersey, near Philadelphia, PA.
> I had the PCA3 done early this year. The results came back above the
> threshhold for normal. A biopsy confirmed that I did have cancer.
Sorry to hear that the outcomes of the tests were not good. If you remember
and don't mind saying, I'd be interested in knowing what your regular PSA,
free PSA, and PCA3 results were before the biopsy was done.
> I'm in north Alabama and Blue Cross Blue Shield paid for the test.
That's interesting. If Blue Cross Blue Shield paid for the test, I assume
that at least some other insurance companies probably also do the same.
I still haven't received any response to the email that I sent to Bostwick
about the availability of the PCA3 test in the U.S., where it is done, and
if any insurance companies pay for it.
Rick Merrill
Did you have a corresponding PSA test?
Rick Merrill
I find their claim "No other human tissues express PCA3" suspect - but
it is probably true to two decimal points at least.
It is a gene test (not a chemical test) and so is probably not covered
by Medicare.
Furthermore it indicates a propensity for, not a proximity to, possible
cancer.
MZB
fun, but...)
Mel
"Les" <lester...@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:02a025f1-2d87-41ba...@k17g2000yqh.googlegroups.com...
Les
> Sorry to hear that the outcomes of the tests were not good. If you remember
> and don't mind saying, I'd be interested in knowing what your regular PSA,
> free PSA, and PCA3 results were before the biopsy was done.
The reports don't indicate whether it is regular or free PSA
3/10/09 PSA 10.48
4/9/09 PSA 9.62 (following antibiotics)
4/13/09 PCA3 38.1
4/29/09 biopsy Gleason 6 (3+3) 3 of 5 cores
6/10/09 RRP pathology indicates tumor involves ~20% right half and
less than 5% left half
primary gleason grade 3/5 + secondary gleason grade 4/5 = 7/10
tumor focally extends to the bladder neck margin on right side.
lymph nodes negative
seminal vesicles negative
Steve Kramer
==> Sorry about that post op report. That kick in the gut had to be as bad
as the original diagnosis.
Reference the Gleason Score, are you typing it as they did? It seems a
strange way to state it. I'm wondering if they assessed tumors in the right
and left lobes and decided one was 3+5=8 and the other 4+5=9. If it's 3-5
and 4-5 equals 7 - 10; well I just never saw it stated that way and it seems
awfully imprecise if it was.
Regardless, I hope you know that your cancer is one tough bastard.
--
PSA 16 10/17/2000 @ 46
Biopsy 11/01/2000 G7 (3+4), T2c
RRP 12/15/2000 G7 (3+4), T3cN0M0 Neg margins
PSA <.1 <.1 <.1 .27 .37 .75 PSAD 0.19 years
EBRT 05-07/2002 @ 47
PSA .34 .22 .15 .21 .32 PSAD .056 years
Lupron 07/03 (1 mo) 8/03 and every 4 months there after
PSA .07 .05 .06 .09 .08 .132 .145 PSAD 1.4 years
Casodex added daily 07/06
PSA undetectable since; last checked on 06/04/09
Illegitimati non carborundum
Les
> "Les" <lester.bar...@gmail.com> wrote in message
>> 6/10/09 RRP pathology indicates tumor involves ~20% right half and
>> less than 5% left half
>> primary gleason grade 3/5 + secondary gleason grade 4/5 = 7/10
> Reference the Gleason Score, are you typing it as they did? It seems a
> strange way to state it. I'm wondering if they assessed tumors in the right
> and left lobes and decided one was 3+5=8 and the other 4+5=9. If it's 3-5
> and 4-5 equals 7 - 10; well I just never saw it stated that way and it seems
> awfully imprecise if it was.
This is how my pathology report reads. This is not an interpretation
by me or my doctor.
Steve Kramer
==> Well, I'm stumped. Does anyone else know how to interpret "primary
gleason grade 2/5 + secondary gland grade 4/5 = 7/10"?