PSA and UTI

[Dani2861]

Hi Everyone,

My father was recently hospitalized with a UTI and Sepsis. He finished his 10 day course of antibiotics on 7/19. His tests on 8/1 showed a PSA of 19.5, up from 4 in his previous test two months prior. He has been on Abiraterone for almost a year and his PSA had slowly been falling from 42 down to 4, before this most recent jump to 19.5. The doctor told him that he got tested too early after the infection, and although an 8/1 urine test showed no infection anymore, it can cause a PSA flare and can take time for the area to heal, especially as the infection was very severe (and in his blood as well). He recommended waiting another month and getting retested which would be approximately 6 weeks after he finished his antibiotics.

We are a bit worried that the severe PSA jump is due to the treatment no longer working so are nervous about waiting another month before retesting, especially as his cancer is quite aggressive and has doubled quickly initially after an unsuccessful RP. Has anyone dealt with a PSA flare due to UTI/Sepsis? Would be grateful for any advice on how long one should wait after a UTI to get a reliable PSA test.

Thanks so much in advance (and for all the incredible advice and support you provide in this forum)!

[Tall_Allen]

It would be strange if he didn’t have a PSA flare with a UTI. You may want to wait 3 months for the inflammation to subside.

[Dani2861 in reply to Tall_Allen]

Thank you TA. When he tested his PSA last with the 19.5 result, his urine test was already clear of infection. Is there a lasting effect of the infection on PSA even when the infection is no longer present? And per the comment below, he had his prostate removed so not sure why a UTI can still cause a psa flare when there is no prostate? Thank you again.

[Tall_Allen in reply to Dani2861]

He should not have a PSA flare without a prostate.

[tango65]

It is not clear to me why an UTI associated with sepsis can cause a PSA flare in a patient without prostate.

[Sheryn11]

My dad had a bout of sepsis and he had a Foley catheter in place. They couldn’t restart chemo because of the recovery from sepsis but yes, his PSA rose to the 70s. The oncologist suggested to wait until he stabilizes again and is ready for treatment with Zytiga

Now he has another bout of sepsis.

God willing your dad, my dad and everyone who is ill will be cured soon.

[j-o-h-n]

Listen to your Doctor.... btw is the doctor a urologist or oncologist?

Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.

j-o-h-n Sunday 08/11/2019 10:15 PM DST

[Dani2861 in reply to j-o-h-n]

He’s an oncologist with a lot of experience, but we’re in Israel where doctors are often a bit nonchalant so we’re trying to be as proactive as possible. His cancer seems to be really aggressive with a very fast doubling time (psa was already around 7 a few months after RP last year) so we worry about rapid progression if we don’t act fast.

[j-o-h-n in reply to Dani2861]

Nonchalant is definitely not the right approach...Experience is great but you need urgency... Get on the doctor's case.... You need help.... Shalom....

Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.

j-o-h-n Monday 08/12/2019 10:04 AM DST

[RonnyBaby]

UTIs are tough to deal with.

I basically had a series of UTIs due to a catheter.

I was 'bagged' for at least 4 months and had infections for the duration.

Even IF you aren't dealing with a catheter, a UTI can still be very difficult to manage.

I recall having different prescriptions to try to find something that worked.

Best wishes - hope you find relief and healing.