PSA Test came back high

[Dirtdeere]

Hey. I figure there's probably some older guys on here that have had this problem. I'm 55. I had a routine PSA test done and just got the results back today. I have a 5.9 score. It went up to 5.9 from normal in about a year. I go back to the dr on Friday. I've had prostititus before a few years ago. I don't feel the symptoms like i did from the prostititus. Hopefully that's it. But if not, are there any
key things I should be asking about? the biopsy doesn't sound like a fun thing to have done. Thanks.

 

[jinman]

Have the biopsy done if needed. There is no way anyone should have fatal prostrate cancer anymore. It's very controllable, but I'm gonna hope that PSA was just a fluke.

 

[CanuckPT]

PSA tests haven't proven to be very valuable for diagnosis. Here's hoping that proves true for you!

Sent from my iPhone using TractorByNet

 

[rekees4300]

Hey. I figure there's probably some older guys on here that have had this problem. I'm 55. I had a routine PSA test done and just got the results back today. I have a 5.9 score. It went up to 5.9 from normal in about a year. I go back to the dr on Friday. I've had prostititus before a few years ago. I don't feel the symptoms like i did from the prostititus. Hopefully that's it. But if not, are there any
key things I should be asking about? the biopsy doesn't sound like a fun thing to have done. Thanks.

A biopsy isn't fun but it's a necessary step to determine whether or not you have prostate cancer. It feels like being stung by a bee. I would categorize it as discomfort rather than significant pain. Ask your urologist how he can make the biopsy less painful. Explore options like "conscious sedation", "prostatic block" and "anesthetic jelly".

If it is cancer, there is no need to panic and make hasty decisions. It didn't start today, this month, or even this year - most likely its been there slowly growing for at least ten years. Take a few weeks to be sure you have enough info to make the right decision for you. There is no one size fits all solution. There are many variables that need to be considered.

I recommend buying a book called "Guide to Surviving Prostate Cancer" (3rd edition) by Dr. Patrick Walsh. He is the world's foremost authority on prostate cancer. The book is comprehensive and covers all aspects of the disease. It's available from Amazon.

 

[grnspot110]

Do the biopsy if needed!

If you need to go further, get second opinions, preferably from an Oncologist!

I've been through prostate cancer just over 10 years ago, at 52. With the advice of a Urologist, I had surgery & over a year of hormone treatment. The hormone treatment can have long lasting effects & (in my case) I don't believe was necessary! Each case is different, DO your own research along with the Dr's advice!

I now see an Oncologist once/year for followups. ~~ grnspot

 

[TripleR]

What they said, but a PSA really isn't an indicator of cancer, just possibly something going on with your prostate, my dad died of prostate cancer, so I began having regular visits to my urologist in my 40's and have had a couple of high PSA's. Follow up PSA's showed normal. Before doing a biopsy, my doctor requires a series of high PSA's and will follow up with a "free PSA" screen, a little different than regular PSA.

As mentioned, do some research, get the book and don't panic. My first high PSA scared me to death and I allowed it to ruin my vacation, I am now much better prepared through research and discussions with my urologist. Let us know how it turns out and best wishes.

 

[Gary Fowler]

PSA tests need to establish a baseline. One high test is insignificant most of the time. MY PSA runs up and down the scale for some reason. I have had 2 biopsies and found nothing other than what the finger wave established (enlarged / hardened prostate). I still do the yearly exam and testing but so far no super rise in PSA numbers. If this is your first test then it may be normal for you. Some folks have a low normal number and others get a bit high. Just sit back and wait till the next test comes in and see what it is. An infection can raise the PSA numbers also and it doesn't have to be a prostate infection, had one of those - man you don't want that. I went from feeling well to deathly ill in 3 hours. High fever, chills, body aches, nauseous. I had to have someone drive me home from work it was so bad.

 

[dirt ditch]

In my late 40's started having a little trouble going. Went to a urologist who treated me for an enlarged prostrate. over a 3 year period my PSA just keep rising a little at a time. When it hit 3.5 urologist wanted me to get a biopsy. Did not do it. 6 months later PSA was 4.0. Urologist had nurse come in and make appointment for biopsy. Not fun but it saved my life. Turned out to be a fairly fast growing cancer. Had a robotic radical prostatectomy (best treatment for us younger guys). One of the anterior lobes was 60% cancer but still contained in the prostrate so he got it all. That was a couple years ago. It took a couple months to heal up but life is back to normal with no side affects. I still see my urologist every 6 months now. Your 55, don't wait until it's too late. Go see a good urologist and listen to him. I kept thinking it can't be cancer I'm too young and put it off almost too late. If it is a really bad cancer the earlier you take care of it the better. My :2cents:

 

[MossRoad]

A lot of guys with prostate cancer will tell you they waited too long to get checked. They had the symptoms, but just couldn't believe it was cancer, especially younger guys. If your doctor recommends a biopsy get it done. As others have mentioned, and my doc just told me, PSA test isn't a good test anymore. PSA should be done, just to see, but my doc said you could have a high PSA and no cancer or a low PSA and raging cancer. Its very confusing. In my opinion, get a second opinion. And a third if possible. Dr., oncologist, urologist, a bunch of 'ists and make sure they concur. My dad had prostate cancer and surgurey got it before it was too late. I watch for symptoms, get checked and keep on it just to be safe. Good luck to you. :thumbsup:

 

[grnspot110]

PSA is what found my cancer! Dad was diabetic, so I was having annual blood work done to watch for it. Dr. at the time (I was 51 at the time) suggested PSA test also, he had to tell me what it was, I'd heard of PSA, but didn't remember what it was for! Number was "on the high side of normal", lets check again in 6 months! After 6 months, the number was over 6, had the biopsy. Urologist's nurse called a few days later "there's some cancer there". After talking to the Urologist & an Oncologist, I opted for surgery just after my 52nd birthday. At that time average age for Prostate cancer was 72. Urologist also put me on a hormone treatment, @ $2750 for a 3 month shot, when the 3 mos. were up, he put in a one year implant (about $5000). I later found out the hormone is for "advanced Prostate cancer, mine was not advanced. Since then, I've talked to several other cancer patients of that Urologist who were put on the same hormone treatment, in a word "GREED!

I talked to a well known Oncologist in our area, got off the hormone & no longer see that Urologist! Nearly 11 years now with no sign of cancer recurrence! I see the Oncologist once/year. ~~ grnspot