What to do next ?

You don't have to live with prostatitis - ask to be referred to urology. If you can get a referral to UCH, they have an consultant expert in prostatitis there (who I unfortunately can't name here).

When you get there, raise your concerns about PCa. They will take you seriously. Not all PCa causes a rise in PSA. Most GP's know very little about prostate cancer. Most likely, you have benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) which is inconvenient but not malignant. However, such patients should always be checked for cancer, particularly with your father having had it.

If you are with reach of Chorleywood (M25 J18), come along to The FOPS (prostate support group) and discuss with our consultants there (one of whom is same consultant as above). Prostatitis has come up at the last two meetings. Next meeting will be in March (probably 3rd Wednesday but not yet confirmed).

Not all prostate cancers cause an increase in PSA, it's perfectly true, but those which do not are exceedingly rare. I understand your worry, but with a normal PSA it is overwhelmingly likely that you don't have prostate cancer. I would, however, second the advice to request a urology referral.

UCH is University College Hospital in London, one of the leading centres for treatment of prostate cancer in the UK.

It's worth noting, by the way, that localised prostate cancer typically results in no symptoms whatsoever, and specifically does NOT cause pain. The fact that you have the ache you've described is strongly suggestive that you don't have prostate cancer!

Best wishes,

Chris

Edited by member 31 Jan 2020 at 13:39  | Reason: Not specified

Sometimes it can be difficult, but I think a urologist specialising in prostatitis will stand the best chance. I don't know if it's absolutely always curable.

The one at The FOPS said he obtains and cultures prostatic fluid to identify the bacteria (can't use urine or semen to do this, which is what others commonly try). Then an antibiotic is selected which both hits the bacteria, and is able to get into the prostate (many antibiotics can't get into the prostate).

Very surprised you have not been referred to urology given your family history.  I originally went to my GP with a UTI.  Because my dad had died of PCa she sent me for a PSA test, which was normal, and did a DRE which detected nothing but due to family history she still referred me to urology.

Long story short, scan and biopsy revealed low risk Gleason 6 tumour.  22 months later a scan and biopsy discovered a new Gleason 8 tumour.  I've recently started hormone therapy and will start EBRT in a few months.  Just to stress, I have never had any symptoms, DRE's detect no abnormality and my PSA at latest reading is still only 3.2.

Basically, if my GP hadn't referred me to urology back in 2017 I'd be none the wiser and living my life today unaware anything was wrong.

Thanks for replying. What is a Gleason tumour? And the other abbreviations? Thanks

Ring the GP to tell them about the lump - the initial suggestion of epididymitis might have been right. You don't get lumps and bumps with prostate cancer or prostatitis. 

Someone else here might know whether there are any glands in the perineum that can get swollen with infection in the same way that you can feel the glands in your neck when you have a sore throat?  

Edited by member 04 May 2020 at 21:17  | Reason: Not specified