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Elevated PSA

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Roger2Dodger
Roger2Dodger

I am a 75 years old. My PSA last year was 4.03 this year it has elevated to 5.83. This has me stressed and worried. My urologist has recommend I have a biopsy. I have been reading and go ogling about prostate cancer and biopsies. The more I read and learn,the more confused I get. I am 50- to get a biopsy and 50 not to get one. Taking my life span in consideration I could die of something else if I did have the cancer. This is what I have been finding out through my research. I am presently taking Flomax to help my frequent urination. I Have also learned that they are risks involved with the biopsy. I am going nuts thinking about my elevated PSA result. Any advice coming my way, would be appreciated.

2 likes, 114 replies

114 Replies

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  • bruce74450
    bruce74450 Roger2Dodger

    Posted

    I am 60.  In 7 months my PSA rose from 2.6 to 6.8.  I visited 2 urologists and both told me to get a biopsy.  After reading Dr Jay Cohen's book on prostate breakthroughs, I decided to try to solve it on my own without a biopsy.  There are serious risks that need to be considered when getting a prostate biopsy. There is a relatively new blood test called the 4KScore which gives an accurate probability of having serious prostate cancer.  I decided to have the test done and the result was I had a 7% probability of prostate cancer. To followup, I went to a clinic and had a special ultrasound done which showed no signs of prostate cancer, but possibly an infection. I took the antibiotic Septra and my PSA went down to 2,1.

    The PSA test has around an 80% false positive.  That means that as many as 80% of people with high PSA do not have prostate cancer.

    I would consider asking your doctor to prescribe the antibiotic for an infection first, to see if that lowers the PSA, and if not, get a non-invasive diagnostic test such as color doppler ultrasound, MRI or 4KScore test.

    • Roger2Dodger
      Roger2Dodger bruce74450

      Posted

      Hey Bruce,The numbers you specified (80% of people with high PSA do not have prostate cancer. is certainly somethig to ponder. I just got taking antibotics for 2 weeks in the latter part of January for diverticulitis. It just amazes me that urologists do not suggest tests as you just described. In all probability they make good money doing Biopisies. I thank you for your reply. Your  intestinal fortitude to do things on tour own I can appreciate!
    • stewarta
      stewarta bruce74450

      Posted

      Ah yes, but false negatives are just as likely as my own case showed in an earlier post. I would never rely on PSA results nor even digital rectal examination.

      Is one's life worth the cost of a 3T MRI?

    • craig84609
      craig84609 bruce74450

      Posted

      It is funny how many urologists jump right into biopsy. I am having trouble now at age 47. I believe it is prostatitis, but I am concerned that now after a week it still is kinda bad. I would imagine that if in a month it doesn't get much better I wouldn't be suprised if my Uro wants a biopsy done. Kinda freaking me out a bit. I would probably do the same thing you did. I don't want to go through a biopsy unless absolutely needed. MRI guided would be the thing to do.
    • stewarta
      stewarta craig84609

      Posted

      For that I took a couple of softgels daily containing Stinging Nettle Root Extract + Saw Palmetto Oil + Pumpkin Seed Oil.

      PM me for details of brand and online US supplier, if interested. I am not interested in hearing it doesn't work for some people. I am in the group for whom it did work.

    • marcos97793
      marcos97793 stewarta

      Posted

      I am interested in these supplements. Kindly send supplier info. Thank you.
  • Attempt82
    Attempt82 Roger2Dodger

    Posted

    Hi Roger2

    You have no need to worry at this stage, your PSA count is actually quite low, my oncologist told me he would not be concerned till my PSA was above ten, at one time mine was 7.6

    They put me on hormone treatment and straight away it dropped to 0.6.

    There are many other things that will bring the Grim Reaper knocking on our door,

    I have a blood test every year it's called a watch and wait policy.

    Good luck and talk to an oncologist and put your mind at ease

    John

    • Roger2Dodger
      Roger2Dodger Attempt82

      Posted

      Attempt82.

      Active Surveillance I have considered. As I stated in a reply previously Urologists do not give any options, except a biopsy. What is the difference between a onocolgist and a urologist? Than you for the advice. This decision is on me, And i am going to take additional time to make my decision. The risks of a biopsy just adds to the anxitey and stress. Thank you for your story. This forum have given more education about prostate than all the times I have spent on research . Thanks again!!!

    • marcos97793
      marcos97793 Roger2Dodger

      Posted

      As I said before, if you don't have an immediate family member who had prostate cancer, most likely you are not in the risk group for aggressive cancer. I went to 8 urologists and all say the same thing , go for biopsy ( then I realized, there is no value for second , third or any additional opinion from urologists because they have to follow the standardized dictated treatment after you cross the 4 Psa. ),

      I can't rely on pas or even 3T MRI because ultimately you have to go through biopsy and then go through the same mode of treatment done since 1986.

      New discoveries are in already and I prefer to wait and willing to gamble.

    • Roger2Dodger
      Roger2Dodger marcos97793

      Posted

      Marcos,

      My Father never had Prostate cancer, at least he didn't die from it. My DRE exam did not show abnormalities. Your reply makes sense. Thanks!

    • Attempt82
      Attempt82 Roger2Dodger

      Posted

      Hi

      A urologist deals with matters of the urinary system and an oncologist

      Deals with all cancers.

      Take care

      John

    • Roger2Dodger
      Roger2Dodger Attempt82

      Posted

      Thanks for the reply. I just changed Doctors, my family doctor retired. I have only seen my new Doctor once, his practice is internal medicine. Had a long talk with him yesterday. He told me that an argument could be made to have a biopsy or not have one. If i did not have one, go the active surveillance treatment. He said the DRE he performed showed no Abnormilities. Although the urologist recommended a biopsy. I told him this was my decision. The only concern I do have is my PSA went up over the .75 guidelines that they say cancer might bre present. I had another PSA peformed a few days ago and no significant change. 5.88- 5.83. So 4 being control, that is well over the .75. Soon, I will have to S*** or get off the pot and make a decision. Everyone's story and opinion has really helped me towards that. Thanks!
    • Attempt82
      Attempt82 Roger2Dodger

      Posted

      Hi

      A final thought for you.

      I've had cancer three times now, there are so many variables and

      so many bits of info for you to ponder on that if you make the decision on

      on treatment then there is no right or wrong way, surgeons are men of action

      and they want to in, surgy may not be the right thing to do, but, it's

      not the wrong thing either, my consultant was a surgeon and he decided to operate,

      it was only later that I found out that the oncologist would have waited what I'm trying to say is for to get a second or even a third

      opinion and then you make the big decision.

      Good luck mate my thoughts are with you

      Attempt 82

    • craig84609
      craig84609 marcos97793

      Posted

      That makes so much sense. Each urologist is just following protocall. Well at least they are consistant. I read a pretty long article just yesterday on the subject and it seemed as though Urologists are starting to shy away from traditional biopsy due to complications and some are even sending patients to MRI places for 3T scans instead of doing in house unguided biopsy. I thing this will become the new standard in the near future as the MRI has proven its a Viable option.
    • marcos97793
      marcos97793 Attempt82

      Posted

      To me, the MRI guided biopsy is a mechanical progress only ( infections, incontinence and over treatments will continue).

      The progress is doing away with biopsy by finding possibility of cancer through bio markers in urine and blood tests. Then, there are in clinical trials autoimmune therapies and almost Fda approved drugs that will shrink the cancer and also cause it to auto destruct itself.( breast cancer has already Fda approved drug)

    • Roger2Dodger
      Roger2Dodger Attempt82

      Posted

      Attempt82,

      Thank you my man, for All the info and advice you have provided for me. I truly appreciate your time and sincerity you provided

      Roger

    • Attempt82
      Attempt82 Roger2Dodger

      Posted

      Hi Roger

      Stay in touch mate

      I had some dark days during my time on various treatments and on a medical patient

      web site and I found a kindred spirit, I don't even know if it was a

      man or a woman but it helped to chat to someone I could relate to.

      Take care

      John (attempt 82)

    • Roger2Dodger
      Roger2Dodger Attempt82

      Posted

      John,

      yes I will stay in touch and let you know my progress during this stressful and unknown ordeal. This forum has nothing but good folks that help others.

      Roger

    • Roger2Dodger
      Roger2Dodger Attempt82

      Posted

      Good Morning John,

      It is morn. In my neighborhood. I have been doing lots of thinking this Am and reading. And to say the least somewhat depressed. Just a few thoughts that is nagging me. If I do have that biopsy and god forbid cancer is detected, and it is found in early stage, I was looking at my options of treatment. Looks like to me the Internal radiotherapy would be better. Or Active surveillance. Your thoughts? . .. I an just thinking the worst and probably should not be doing that. But stress is a Bitch. Just needed to discuss with some one. Hope you don't mind. Thanks for all the support from not only you,but every one.

      Roger

    • stewarta
      stewarta Roger2Dodger

      Posted

      Roger: I really do understand how you feel. I am a youthful 69, and as I explained in my first post, I was heading in a completely different direction until the MRI results gave a fateful reading.

      I decided that while those posting here mean well, like all forums, the best advice comes from qualified professionals. But each has to be consulted and asked some serious questions. I did this before making my decisions: "How do you know you got it all?; "What if the PSA rises again?"; " Can I have a Prostatectomy after radiation therapy, if the radiation (whether beam or brachytherapy) doesn't work?"; "If I have a full body Scan and there is no PCa spread to the bones, how do you know it hasn't spread to (say) the lymph nodes?"

      I got the answers to these eyeball-to-eyeball with the various professionals, then made my decision. Each of us must travel such a journey and beware nonsense like 'Your PSA is under 10, so you should be okay". I put paid to that nonsense in my first post.

      I wish you good decisions, and good outcomes my friend.

      Stewart

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