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partner symptoms high psa level

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User
Posted 02 Sep 2023 at 00:21

hi sorry for the long post but I'm so worried just wondered if anyone can give me advice/help.  around 18 months ago my partner has had pain in his back groin and pelvic area.he is a regular gym user so he put it down to over doing it the gym as it comes and goes  and it's  worse at night. he's 52. last week he noticed blood in his urine so he went to the doctors for blood tests . its come back as high psa so he has to have a biopsy for prostate cancer . he asked the doctor is it possible its just inflammed and not cancer and she said lets say its cancer anything else is a bonus.is that a normal thing for a doctor to say also she didn't tell him his psa level just that  it was abnormal?   he doesn't have no urine problems he says when he goes for a number 2 it can relieve the pain I don't know if this connected . I'm extremely anxious and upset I also feel guilty cause I should be supporting him and being positive but I just want to cry all the time.  

User
Posted 05 Sep 2023 at 23:08

I would take one day at a time and don’t feel guilty about anything. You’ll have to wait for the diagnosis and hopefully it won’t be anything to be concerned about.

User
Posted 12 Sep 2023 at 18:36

A couple of things to try and help (hopefully)...

I know from past experience that staying still in the MRI for 20 minutes seems like 20 hours and the staff understand this. My understanding is that the radiographer that carries out the MRI scan will check throughout the process that the images being obtained are of sufficient quality for the radiologists to analyse. So, hopefully your partner won't have to go back again for re-scanning. 

Do you know your partners PSA yet? It's not for everyone, but I found that some results can be visible on your online health record. In my case the GP did tell me my PSA, but I promptly forgot. Often happens, so the online record has been my saviour on many occasions.

Your anxiety is so understandable. It does get better (or we get better at managing it?). Can I suggest a call to the Prostate Cancer UK specialist nurses - they were such fantastic support when we were at the stage you are now. I've pasted the link below in case it helps...

https://prostatecanceruk.org/prostate-information-and-support/get-support/our-specialist-nurses

 

 

Edited by member 12 Sep 2023 at 18:37  | Reason: Because... autocorrect ;-)

User
Posted 26 Oct 2023 at 15:38

update been to see specialist today my partner  for biospy results.  bone scan clear . pain in hip and groin not cancer  . locally advanced prostate cancer . start 3 month hormone injection next week . waiting to see  if radiotherapy or chemo or both said send it for second opinion at another hospital and then go from there should know next week .  said gleason score 7 is this good . he said it was aggressive but then said prostate score from 6 to 10 and my oh is 7 so is that good lol  ?  on another note do u find friends ignoring u or avoiding u? some of been really good but then others avoid me . I'm generally upbeat trying keep positive 

Edited by member 26 Oct 2023 at 16:30  | Reason: Not specified

User
Posted 27 Oct 2023 at 08:45
OK, that sounds pretty similar to mine - although they only found it in the nerve bundle after the RARP which is why it was non-nerve sparing - they took out the lot. Although I have a zero PSA post op, I am now waiting for my next 3 months PSA to determine whether some RT is needed.

Maybe ask the question as to whether RARP is on option for him?

Best of luck!

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User
Posted 02 Sep 2023 at 10:53

It's not really possible to know until diagnosis is complete. Prostate cancer usually has no symptoms, but can also have all the symptoms you described including the high PSA. Also everyone of those symptoms can be caused by something other than cancer.

A doctor can't get someone on the fast track cancer pathway unless they suspect cancer, so I guess she had to say "let's call it cancer unless we find it isn't", rather than "let's hope it's nothing but it may be cancer"

I'm not surprised you're angry and upset, most people are in this situation. You don't have to feel guilty about your emotions.

Dave

User
Posted 03 Sep 2023 at 14:58
Taking one biopsy from prostate is like throwing one dart. If this returns result clean of cancer tissue it does not mean everything is clean all over. Multiple biopsy samples would be more reliable but also more painful. Surprised your hubby's urologist would not reveal the PSA count. Would your GP if he takes a blood test?

So long as cancer tissue (if any) has not spread from prostate to the rest of the body via bloodstream (metatstasis), treatment prospects are very hopeful, because unlike other cancers prostate cancer is very slow growing. First-stage treatment is oral pill reduction of masculine testoterone level on which prostate cancer feeds, This early intervention would be effective at low cost to the body. Having less hair on the chest is hardly a tragedy, PSA count changes would confirm progress.

After cancer has spread throughout the body (metastasis), treatment would be more costly.

User
Posted 03 Sep 2023 at 15:34

Originally Posted by: Online Community Member
Multiple biopsy samples would be more reliable but also more painful..
don't worry it will be a multi core biopsy.

 

Originally Posted by: Online Community Member
Surprised your hubby's urologist would not reveal the PSA count. Would your GP if he takes a blood test?.
yes this attitude of telling the patient the bare minimum still persists in some circles. The advantage of this site is you can use our experience to know which questions to ask.

Originally Posted by: Online Community Member
 
First-stage treatment is oral pill...
I think this is an oversimplification and not very accurate. Hormone therapy may feature in some treatments, and may be used on its own, but to describe it as the first stage of treatment is not really true.

Dave

User
Posted 03 Sep 2023 at 17:14

His doctor doesn't seem to be very helpful and is not helping the stress and worry you both must be under. Saying, 'lets say its cancer anything else is a bonus.' is a careless and not a very professional way to handle a patient. I suggest he should go back to the doctor, preferably a different doctor, with you, and make sure that he receives proper attention and discuss what he/she is going to do. This forum is very helpful but at this stage best not to rely on guessing what it may or may not be. You need facts and only a urologist can assess his symptoms, after whatever testa etc had been carried out. 

 'Physics is like sex: sure, it may give some practical results, but that’s not why we do it.'                    Richard Feynman (1918-1988) Nobel Prize laureate

 

 

User
Posted 05 Sep 2023 at 23:08

I would take one day at a time and don’t feel guilty about anything. You’ll have to wait for the diagnosis and hopefully it won’t be anything to be concerned about.

User
Posted 12 Sep 2023 at 13:29

thank you . been for the mri today but i don't know he is gonna have to go for another one. he got clostophobic and his headphones wasn't on right.  she said he was moving to much.  but she said they Is something on his prostate and the specialist will be in touch .  I can't cope with the anxiety . I can't eat sleep don't know what to do with myself.  

User
Posted 12 Sep 2023 at 18:36

A couple of things to try and help (hopefully)...

I know from past experience that staying still in the MRI for 20 minutes seems like 20 hours and the staff understand this. My understanding is that the radiographer that carries out the MRI scan will check throughout the process that the images being obtained are of sufficient quality for the radiologists to analyse. So, hopefully your partner won't have to go back again for re-scanning. 

Do you know your partners PSA yet? It's not for everyone, but I found that some results can be visible on your online health record. In my case the GP did tell me my PSA, but I promptly forgot. Often happens, so the online record has been my saviour on many occasions.

Your anxiety is so understandable. It does get better (or we get better at managing it?). Can I suggest a call to the Prostate Cancer UK specialist nurses - they were such fantastic support when we were at the stage you are now. I've pasted the link below in case it helps...

https://prostatecanceruk.org/prostate-information-and-support/get-support/our-specialist-nurses

 

 

Edited by member 12 Sep 2023 at 18:37  | Reason: Because... autocorrect ;-)

User
Posted 12 Sep 2023 at 18:43
The MRI is just a tool to help them identify suspicious areas - it is not a definitive result and so if the images were sufficient to identify something that needs further investigation then that is probably sufficient and likely will not need a repeat. The next step will a biopsy which will be far more accurate in identifying exactly what they are dealing with.

If he needs more details on what to expect from the biopsy, just ask.

User
Posted 12 Sep 2023 at 19:42

I looked on his record and it says psa 78.67 ugl wish I not looked now

User
Posted 12 Sep 2023 at 20:50
Although that is a strong indicator of PCa, he needs the biopsy to determine what grade it is and which treatment is going to be the best for him. Remember that most men die with prostate cancer, not because of it. It is one of the more curable cancers, slow developing and with lots of treatment options, so don't get too depressed over it. Many of us are walking the same path :)

Take care and good luck

User
Posted 12 Sep 2023 at 21:41

We have had one person on this site with a PSA of 80 and no cancer, we have also had a few with a PSA around 20 with no cancer, but in general once a PSA is above 30 it is extremely likely to be cancer.

As Steve says, you need the biopsy to know for certain. On your other thread you are concerned about advanced cancer. I usually say to people if the PSA is below 30 it is very unlikely to be advanced, and if it is above 200 it is very likely to be advanced. He is in between those two numbers so your guess is as good as mine.

On the subject of guessing, is this any use to you, having a bunch of random people on the internet trying to guess his diagnosis based on incomplete information, when you have professional medics who will give you a definitive answer in a few weeks? I'm hoping by engaging in this conversation with us, that you can see prostate cancer is just a normal thing that happens to normal men and though it can have an impact on our lives it doesn't just put an end to them.

I think a bone scan will be required soon which is far easier than having an MRI.

Dave

User
Posted 12 Sep 2023 at 22:02

Originally Posted by: Online Community Member

On the subject of guessing, is this any use to you, having a bunch of random people on the internet trying to guess his diagnosis based on incomplete information, when you have professional medics who will give you a definitive answer in a few weeks?

A good point, Dave. Sometimes our anxieties take over and we just want to look for that nugget of information to reassure. Waiting for that follow up meeting with the medics can be excruciating and as I mentioned in the other thread, I found in that void between "test" and "result", speaking to the PCUK Specialist Nurses was a great help. They can't diagnose, but they can reassure and answer questions.

User
Posted 26 Oct 2023 at 15:38

update been to see specialist today my partner  for biospy results.  bone scan clear . pain in hip and groin not cancer  . locally advanced prostate cancer . start 3 month hormone injection next week . waiting to see  if radiotherapy or chemo or both said send it for second opinion at another hospital and then go from there should know next week .  said gleason score 7 is this good . he said it was aggressive but then said prostate score from 6 to 10 and my oh is 7 so is that good lol  ?  on another note do u find friends ignoring u or avoiding u? some of been really good but then others avoid me . I'm generally upbeat trying keep positive 

Edited by member 26 Oct 2023 at 16:30  | Reason: Not specified

User
Posted 26 Oct 2023 at 16:49

Stay positive my Gleason score was 9 four year's after radiotherapy and hormone therapy for 2 years it's now stable up to now at 0.01 there's light at the end of the tunnel 

Edited by member 26 Oct 2023 at 16:49  | Reason: Not specified

User
Posted 26 Oct 2023 at 17:05
Was he offered the option of RARP? Most people have that option before the cancer breaks through the prostate but if it is determined that it has then HT/RT is what is generally offered. Both have very good curative and management rates
User
Posted 26 Oct 2023 at 18:13

it has broke out of  the prostate to the nerves around it but not in lymph nodes or bones.  no they said they refer it to another hospital  for a second opinion said they always do this and then they will get a treatment plan from there . he said possibly radiotherapy or maybe both chemo but didn't say anything bout removal 

User
Posted 27 Oct 2023 at 08:45
OK, that sounds pretty similar to mine - although they only found it in the nerve bundle after the RARP which is why it was non-nerve sparing - they took out the lot. Although I have a zero PSA post op, I am now waiting for my next 3 months PSA to determine whether some RT is needed.

Maybe ask the question as to whether RARP is on option for him?

Best of luck!

 
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