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PSA 1,356!

User
Posted 03 May 2024 at 10:23

Hi everyone,

I have a psa of 1,356 and was diagnosed last week with prostate cancer, my question is does the higher psa mean a worse outcome or prognosis? I'm confused as the urologist told me that a man with a psa of 400 had spread to a bone in his leg! I was scanned for spinal compression which they seemed concerned about but don't have that, they said they saw a small area of breakout in my vertebrae. Started straight away on Degarelix.

I'm 73 years old 

Any information would be helpful 

User
Posted 03 May 2024 at 11:27

Only your own individual scans and tests and the opinion of an oncologist can give you reliable information about your condition. The PSA test is notoriously unreliable, some people with a PSA below 3 have aggressive cancer and some with a PSA above 80 have no cancer. However both of these cases would be extreme.

With a PSA above 50 it would be almost certain you have cancer, so with it being above 1000 you have cancer. What's more with a PSA above 100 it has nearly always spread beyond the prostate (metastasis). I would be very surprised if your cancer is still confined in the prostate, but it may have taken 20 or 30 years to get so extensive, so it may not be as aggressive as the high PSA suggests. Usually the Gleason score is the best way to determine how aggressive a cancer is, with Gleason below 5 being considered normal and Gleason 6 to Gleason 10 being progressively more aggressive. A Gleason score can only be determined from a biopsy, but they may not do a biopsy on you as it is already clear (in my none expert opinion) you have advanced cancer, and the treatment is the same once it is advanced, and that treatment is nearly always hormone therapy (degarelix) to suppress testosterone which will stop the cancer growing for a number of years. How many years varies sometimes as little as two, sometimes as long as 15. There are also trials of new treatments so you may yet live a long time.

 

Dave

User
Posted 03 May 2024 at 11:35

Thank you Dave.

I had a PSA test in 2017 it was 3 at that time, I had no symptoms other than an ache in my left lower side, no urine problems or pain elsewhere it was the lower left side pain that took me to my GP. I have had a prostate scan a chest abdomen and pelvis scan and a bone scan next week. I don't understand the advanced cancer does that mean I won't respond to treatment? 

 

User
Posted 03 May 2024 at 18:38

Originally Posted by: Online Community Member
 I don't understand the advanced cancer does that mean I won't respond to treatment? 

Hello,

Like Dave, I'm not medically qualified but  I agree with all he's said.

Our site has a lot of information on advanced prostate cancer. 

https://prostatecanceruk.org/prostate-information-and-support/just-diagnosed/advanced-prostate-cancer

 

User
Posted 03 May 2024 at 18:57

Hi Prince, Advanced cancer means it has spread to parts of your body beyond the prostate, the other word to use for this is metastatic. You will almost certainly respond to degarelix treatment, however it will be a case of managing the cancer not curing it. You will almost certainly be on degarelix or something similar for the rest of your life.

The PSA test from 2017 implies the cancer was not there then, or if it was it was very mild at that time. To have reached a PSA of 1356 in 7 years means that this cancer is now moderately aggressive. Without treatment you would have bone pain and other problems very soon.

Edited by member 03 May 2024 at 18:59  | Reason: Not specified

Dave

User
Posted 03 May 2024 at 19:34

Hi Prince,

I can’t add to what has already been said, only to wish you good luck with your journey. I know it’s difficult but try and stay positive and active, and be kind to yourself. If you’re struggling to cope, please seek support to help you. This site is a wonderful resource but there are other ways of support out there if you need help.

Good luck,

Derek

 
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