Raising PSA

[bluedave789]

Hi I wonder if any one can advise, my PSA keeps going up and is currently 10.6 my GP refereed me to the hospital who seem happy to wait and watch... is this normal from a reading that was low?

[FullOn]

Similar to myself under active surveillance for 5 years plus (now 72) BUT with regular biopsies and one MRI scan (this year). Option for radiotherapy treatment or operation still available.

[040951]

Hi dave

I had a psa of 8 last oct 2015 underwent biopsy x2 diagnosed with low grade prostate cancer, I went on active surveillance went back 3 months later my psa was 1,8, then had an MRI scan and went back in june this year my psa was 1 with no change , its just a case now of watching the urologist will keep an eye on me for any change, if that should happen theses people will act , so don't worry to much, its hard to do but you have to just try and get on with your life, as I have said the psa test is only a guide it can fluctuate up and down

you take care

[Desanthony]

How often are you having PSA tests and how old are you? Have a look at the NICE guidelines to find out how often you should be getting a PSA test at your age and PSA increasing. This is what I did and had to argue with my GP to get the PSA tests and eventually a biopsy which showed intermediate Prostate Cancer. I am now on hormone treatment and waiting for further treatment - etiher radiotherapy or cyber knife. If my GP had done as the NICE guidelines stated - or even half of what the guidelines stated I believe my cancer could have been caught earlier. Be proactive and get all the information you can.

Des

[Roger2Dodger]

My PSA went up from 4.25 to 5.83. I chose to have a biopsy, and Cancer was found in biopsy results. My advice with a PSA of 10.6 ....get a biopsy.

[Dr_WHO]

Not all cancers raise your PSA. You may think about a biopsy. My PSA was only 4.7 when they found stage 4 ductal prostate cancer.

[fiem48]

Mine was 5.3, I had a biopy which showed a trace of cancer. I got 3 opinions from urologist, all said same thing. Do nothing for now but I will have another biopsy in November. Find a urologist an get a biopsy soon. This will tell u how to address your condition.

Tony

[TinCanDel]

Hi Bluedave 789

I can't offer you specifics, as to the rate the psa increases, what is average or what do next. I can share a guideline that has worked for me over the years. Chart your psa on a bar graph (Excel works for me). In 6/2003 I began tracking my (psa=0.05) every 6 months.

After 4 readings, a baseline "rate of increase" is defined. My average increase was 0.25 to 0.50. My psa at times dropped or repeated the previous reading and generally increased at the baseline average. In 7/2008 psa=4.2; 12/2008 psa=4.9 & 6/2009 psa=6.2. I was diagnosed 7/2009 at age 71; Gleason 7(4/3);Cancer was stage T2a. After 41 IMRT(radiation) treatments 6/2010 psa=0.03. A new baseline average was created from the next 4 readings every 6 months. In 12/2012 psa=1.19 a biopsy indicated cancer confined to the prostate. I was a very active 75 year old and didn't want any procedure to interfere with my life style. Watch & Wait seemed to be perfect- accompanied by a psa every 90 days. In 8/2014 psa=8.8; 10/2014=13.6; 12/2014=17.6; 2/2015=22.9. 3/2015 my VA in Asheville NC, referred me to Duke University Cancer Center for more advanced diagnostics and cryosurgery. By 5/2015 psa=37.7 I was diagnosed with stage 4 prostate cancer that had metastasized to the spine & lymphatic system. The psa numbers suggested I should have stopped W&W in Aug or Oct/2014, I made the decision to continue on with W&W. I still had options, in 8/2015 I decided to begin Anti-Androgen Lupron/Elgar injection every 6 month. By the 2nd injection psa was UNDETECTABLE as it is today after the 4th injection. I am very thankful to God to allow me to live my active life style: 6 days per/wk at the gym; maintaining my mountainous property; trail hiking & a fair amount of traveling. My next psa is 17 Jan 2017- My wife of 53 years and I, celebrate each 6 month treatment period. This time, I'll be attending my Navy Destroyer-ship's reunion, seeing a couple of shipmates from the 1950s. For the 6 months following 17 Jan 2017 psa-positive that the psa will remain undetectable- we booked a cruise, with friends from high school,all reaching 80 in 2017. Bluedave 789-live life on your terms and never allow yourself to be defined by cancer.

Best of everything on your PC journey,

Del

[frenchman in reply to TinCanDel]

hi bluedave,

I think I'am doing it in a different way. in 2001 my psa was 5. now a days it is 33. I refuse biopsy. I do take supplements. CHinese mushroom (ganoderma/shi-itake, maitake d-fraction) every 3 month I take another mushroom) and a special combination of herbs. every 6 month I check my PSA.

I also have cll(leukemia) 20 years without treatment.

I'm very okay, very important, I move a lot. every day a morning walk of 2 hours and an evening walk of 1 hour with my dogs. working my olive trees and garden. nowadays it's to hot for working in the sun.

feel very lucky I can handle it this way. pardon my englisch.

best of luck