High PSA

That is probably a good thing, at least they are trying to be carful not to spread it. The biopsy can be really dangerous in some and I wouldn't want one myself. Hang in there, they will try to deal with it without causing him undue trauma.

Hi sorry to hear about your dad the psa level doesn't always indicate the grade or how advanced the PC is the biopsy is not a very pleasent experience maybe they will go for an mri scan after he starts on the hormone injections. The tablets before the injection are to help prevent any flare up from the injection hope he feels well in himself I was diagnosed a year ago with grade t4 advanced. Prostrate cancer and still have no noticeably symptoms I wish you all well 

Thank you for your replies, he hasn't been well from November, chest infection after chest infection. He was admitted to hospital 2 weeks ago this coming Monday, due to extreme weakness, and severely off balance and slurring speech at times. We suspended a mini stroke. He's now on antibiotics for yet another chest infection, has had some blood given and getting nebulizers. The PC was found by accident, goodness only knows how long it's been there. The lack of information we've been given is really annoying and automatically makes you think of worst case scenario.

Hi, am sorry to hear this. but dont worry, he'll recover soon. Have faith in god.

You're right. with lack of information and lot of advanced trials and medical terms they tend to create a fear in us. 

My father is 74 years old and was doing great and very healthy. With frequence urination issue, we went to diagnose and found that prostate was enlarged and they suggested to biopsy though his PSA was not so high (7ng/ml). Post biopsy (which was anyways negative for prostate cancer), everything got changed, he developed a severe pain which remain for long and they couldn't relieve him from that pain. we also suspected that biopsy spread the cancer cells and started all this pain. after all this MRI showed metastases and they didnt start cancer treatment without proof from biopsy, we did TURP and with those tissues again it was negative with mild impression for cancer in 1 or 2 tissues. They started harmonal therapy, it showed nice improvement by reducing the PSA to 0.1 ng/ml. But since last week his pain is more and now the PSA is increased to 13 ng/ml. They're planning to change the combination of oral medicines as part of this harmonal therapy now. It should help mostly.

But ultimately, we strongly feel, he did great healtwise and post biopsy things were totally changed. We were not informed about the risk factor of biopsy that it could spread. Even now doctors say that no, it wont.

If the diagnosis itself can increase the severity of cancer, then why do we even have such dangerous diagnosis as a method to start treatment for cancer is a million dollar question.

 

Hi Tigger,  I had never heard of a PSA that high. I also never realised that biopsies could be that dangerous. After my PSA last May came out at about 16, I had biopsies, which showed that my PC was quite aggressive (Gleason 4+5=9). I then decided to have a radical prostatectomy, rather than brachytherapy. In October last year I was operated on, by means of robotic surgery (DaVinci). The operation was fine. However, after the operation the PSA started to increase from an initial 0.42 to 1.34, suggesting that the cancer had started to move out of the prostate. My urologist then put me on hormone (testosterone lowering) medication and the latest PSA test came out at 0.1.   I'm 76 years old.  

My only question would be: Who are "They" ? Is your dad being treated by a group of doctors? If not, I would suggest get more opinions - also from friends that have been through this. The doctors are not necessarily in agreement as to what the best treatment would be. I had to choose between brachy and a radical removal of the prostate, advocated by different doctors. Also inform yourself as best you can, by googling etc - without going overboard. Better still, let your dad inform himself. In the end, you have to trust your instinct and have some faith that the treatment recommended will work.  Best of luck!