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User
Posted 07 Sep 2014 at 14:07

Just joined and saying "Hi"

I'm 52 and my PSA levels have been gradually increasing. My last 3 readings over the last year have been 4.2, 4.6 with the last one being 5.4 with a free total PSA of 0.11

Doctor gave me 3 options:

1) Biopsy

2) Wait another 3 months and test again

3 MRI

 

I've opted for the MRI scan.

User
Posted 07 Sep 2014 at 16:29

Welcome Yummy.

As Countryboy suggested, the toolkit is very useful.

It can be viewed on screen or it can be ordered free of charge.

If you go to "Information" at the top of the screen and then go into "Our publications" you will find it there.

I'm a member here because my husband has Prostate Cancer and I found the hard copy Toolkit very helpful. It meant I could flick through it without having to use the computer.

The readings you gave can probably be matched by many members on here but they won't all necessarily go down the same treatment path.
My husband's original PSA for instance was 5.7 and he opted for Active Surveillance. He managed on that for a year before he had to make a treatment decision (Seed Brachytherapy 3rd June 2014)

Some men with much lower PSA and cancer contained within the prostate, will opt immediately for surgery. Personal choice.
No one way can be said to be the only way which is why the Toolkit is so invaluable in helping you to understand what's what.

Good luck and keep everyone posted. Not just because we're nosy (well we are!)  http://community.prostatecanceruk.org/editors/tiny_mce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-wink.gif  but because it helps when offering advice or insight.

Best Wishes
Sandra

 

Edited by member 07 Sep 2014 at 16:29  | Reason: Not specified

We can't control the winds - but we can adjust our sails
User
Posted 14 Sep 2014 at 14:53

Originally Posted by: Online Community Member

Hi and welcome to the site.

Have you downloaded the toolkit yet?

You are probably on a very steep learning curve, as we all once were. I wish you luck.

Dave here since May 2013

 

I haven't but do so immediately.

Show Most Thanked Posts
User
Posted 07 Sep 2014 at 16:10

Hi and welcome to the site.

Have you downloaded the toolkit yet?

You are probably on a very steep learning curve, as we all once were. I wish you luck.

Dave here since May 2013

User
Posted 07 Sep 2014 at 16:29

Welcome Yummy.

As Countryboy suggested, the toolkit is very useful.

It can be viewed on screen or it can be ordered free of charge.

If you go to "Information" at the top of the screen and then go into "Our publications" you will find it there.

I'm a member here because my husband has Prostate Cancer and I found the hard copy Toolkit very helpful. It meant I could flick through it without having to use the computer.

The readings you gave can probably be matched by many members on here but they won't all necessarily go down the same treatment path.
My husband's original PSA for instance was 5.7 and he opted for Active Surveillance. He managed on that for a year before he had to make a treatment decision (Seed Brachytherapy 3rd June 2014)

Some men with much lower PSA and cancer contained within the prostate, will opt immediately for surgery. Personal choice.
No one way can be said to be the only way which is why the Toolkit is so invaluable in helping you to understand what's what.

Good luck and keep everyone posted. Not just because we're nosy (well we are!)  http://community.prostatecanceruk.org/editors/tiny_mce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-wink.gif  but because it helps when offering advice or insight.

Best Wishes
Sandra

 

Edited by member 07 Sep 2014 at 16:29  | Reason: Not specified

We can't control the winds - but we can adjust our sails
User
Posted 07 Sep 2014 at 16:43

Hi and welcome

The PSA test isn't the most reliable thing but it is all we have at the moment. There are many men with much higher PSA's but who have not got PCa. Equally there are men with low PSA'S who have PCa.

I think you have opted for the right choice at this time, but that is just my opinion.
The scan won't be flawed due to any trauma had you had a biopsy first.

Just to be clear is the doctor you are seeing a urologist?

Good luck with the scan and keep us updated

Bri

User
Posted 07 Sep 2014 at 17:45

Opting for the scan first seems sensible in the circumstances but be aware that scans can provide a false negative just as biopsies can. My husband's scan was clear but when his prostate was removed the cancer was throughout the gland and into his bladder. I don't know why it didn't show on the scan.

Perhaps get the scan done and then decide whether to have the biopsy regardless of scan result ... belt & braces approach. By the way, his PSA was 3.1 at referral for biopsy and 3.6 by the time he got the scan.

"Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards." Soren Kierkegaard

User
Posted 07 Sep 2014 at 19:56

Hi Yummy just my tuppence worth,as can be seen we are all different,LynEyres husbands PSA was 3.1 mine was 14.5 when I had my op with no spread,I had three MRI's and they were inconclusive biopsies confirmed my cancer so whilst they help they are by no means 100% accurate.If you have a MRI have they said there will be a biop to follow or does this depend on the MRI results?

User
Posted 07 Sep 2014 at 20:31
Hi yummy,

I'm not sure that an MRI as stand alone would actually conclude anything.

I had the MRI, followed a week or so later with the biopsy. The MRI showed suspect patches which they targeted during the biopsy for confirmation.

In my case, the MRI showed suspect in the bottom left & top quadrants. The biopsy managed to sample tissue from the bottom left which confirmed cancer.

Good luck

Carlos

Life's a Marathon. Run in peace.

User
Posted 07 Sep 2014 at 22:21

Yummy,

Plenty of good advice so far.

I am no expert, thank goodness, because that normally means that you have had to learn a lot fast about PCa. So, take what I say with a pinch of salt.

The PSA test on it's own is only a very approximate indicator. The only reliable test is on pathology of the prostate once removed and in a laboratory dish. That result will have depended on whether or not, in the previous 48 hours you had ejaculated, had a blow to the testicular region, or ridden a bike or had a infection, if I have missed something or gotten someone wrong someone will correct me. When I was first along the PSA route I noted that an increase of more than 1 in a moth indicated an aggressive cancer. I had that. You have to do what best suits you. But, bear in mmd that the sooner you act the more likely you are to be in the curable camp rather than the lets keep him around as long as we can camp.

Dave

User
Posted 14 Sep 2014 at 14:53

Originally Posted by: Online Community Member

Hi and welcome to the site.

Have you downloaded the toolkit yet?

You are probably on a very steep learning curve, as we all once were. I wish you luck.

Dave here since May 2013

 

I haven't but do so immediately.

User
Posted 14 Sep 2014 at 14:54

Originally Posted by: Online Community Member

Hi and welcome

The PSA test isn't the most reliable thing but it is all we have at the moment. There are many men with much higher PSA's but who have not got PCa. Equally there are men with low PSA'S who have PCa.

I think you have opted for the right choice at this time, but that is just my opinion.
The scan won't be flawed due to any trauma had you had a biopsy first.

Just to be clear is the doctor you are seeing a urologist?

Good luck with the scan and keep us updated

Bri

 

Yes, I'm seeing a urologist and should get my scan results tomorrow evening

User
Posted 14 Sep 2014 at 15:02

Thank you all for your advice and words of support. I thought the MRI scan would provide a definitive answer. So even if I get the all clear tomorrow, I not really "clear"? I think I need to get myself clued up very quickly!

User
Posted 14 Sep 2014 at 15:36

Originally Posted by: Online Community Member

Hi Yummy just my tuppence worth,as can be seen we are all different,LynEyres husbands PSA was 3.1 mine was 14.5 when I had my op with no spread,I had three MRI's and they were inconclusive biopsies confirmed my cancer so whilst they help they are by no means 100% accurate.If you have a MRI have they said there will be a biop to follow or does this depend on the MRI results?

I think the biospy will depend on the MRI results

User
Posted 14 Sep 2014 at 15:40

Originally Posted by: Online Community Member

Opting for the scan first seems sensible in the circumstances but be aware that scans can provide a false negative just as biopsies can. My husband's scan was clear but when his prostate was removed the cancer was throughout the gland and into his bladder. I don't know why it didn't show on the scan.

Perhaps get the scan done and then decide whether to have the biopsy regardless of scan result ... belt & braces approach. By the way, his PSA was 3.1 at referral for biopsy and 3.6 by the time he got the scan.

 

Hi LynEyre,

Regarding your husband's scan. Did he have anysymptoms before scan?

 

Thanks

Yummy

User
Posted 14 Sep 2014 at 19:35

Hi

just thought I would put my own personal point of view. Until we have something better it is all about opinions.

My view would be to have MRI in 1st instance  as no blurring due to any scarring from the biop. There is always the option to have the biop after anyway. As has been previously said "Belt & Braces" to get as much info as poss.

Take care and good luck.

 

User
Posted 15 Sep 2014 at 17:54

MRI is the way to go initially, so I was advised by a urologist. As it is likely to be of the entire lower pelvic area it will probably show a more complete picture than a biopsy. Importantly, biopsies traumatise the prostate, distorting MRI results. Should you need a biopsy later try to have a template biopsy (done under general anaesthetic). This takes many more samples than a TRUS biopsy which is a single needle inserted (in my case) 12 times. The TRUS biopsy cannot reach all parts of the prostate and might miss some of the PCa.

User
Posted 15 Sep 2014 at 19:26

Hi one and all this is my first contribution! I have had several eventful times with the NHS since diagnosis.

I think the first thing to remember is that the prostate renews cells slowly so don't panic there is no rush - one step at a time. I agree with other contributors, go for the scan first and see what that shows.

If you decide on a biopsy and can get it done under general anaesthetic do so. Don't worry about bleeding that will follow, it soon clears up.

PSA is unfortunately not a good indicator - in my case it was the rate of increase over 6 month period that led the consultant to recommend action.

best wishes, there are lots of us living with it!

 

User
Posted 17 Sep 2014 at 13:09

Just a quick update.


MRI scan came back clear. Been advised to wait another six months before having another PSA test. Thanks again to everyone for their input.

Got to say that the most stressful part was the last 15 minutes before my appointment.

User
Posted 17 Sep 2014 at 14:06

Well good news in a way although based on your rate of increase over the last year, I am not sure I would be happy for my husband to wait 6 months before retesting. Perhaps your GP would be amenable to a new PSA test in 3 months just to keep an eye on things?

Just out of interest, what prompted you to start having the tests? Do you have urinary problems? Did the specialist say anything about why your PSA might be high? I was thinking along the lines of whether the scan showed that you had a particularly large prostate, for example. Have you been prescribed any tablets to help with weeing maybe?

"Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards." Soren Kierkegaard

 
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