PMR and Preddie and PSA test?

[JakeSearcher]

Any of the guys know if PMR and Preddie affect the PSA test?

[PMRpro Ambassador]

No reason I can think of why PMR should although there are some forms of vasculitis which can affect the prostate and would lead to a raised PSA:

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/199...

but the difference was identified at biopsy.

Apparently 20mg/day pred can lower the PSA in some patients with hormone refractory prostate ca:

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/969...

That is a specific group of patients. How that relates to having the PSA done to screen for possible prostate ca I really don't know. One would think that in some patients that might still apply.

[JakeSearcher in reply to PMRpro]

Thank you. Hoping my number stays around 2.5 or so. PMR is proving to be enough of a challenge.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to JakeSearcher]

But do make sure the consultant is aware you are on pred.

[JakeSearcher in reply to PMRpro]

Yes, absolutely.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to JakeSearcher]

Though I also imagine that repeated PSAs would still show a trend. But then it depends where you are. The UK has this rather silly opinion that PSA doesn't work for screening - a single measurement won't but repeated ones to establish a trend may well do so.

[JakeSearcher in reply to PMRpro]

I am in the states. I am aware that PSA blood test has been somewhat devalued but a significant rise warrants watching. And they do the digital exam in conjunction with the blood test.

[Charlie1boy]

Certainly hasn't affected me in the slightest. Had prostate cancer diagnosed July 2016, and have had PSA tests, radiotherapy and hormone injections since then.

The only real issue for me has been loads of hot sweats from the injections, and increased fatigue from the injections.

The pred has carried on regardless.

Good luck

Paddy

[JakeSearcher in reply to Charlie1boy]

Ok, thank you.

[nickm001]

My experience with PMR and PSA test is that when I got PMR my PSA went thru the roof... It was relatively high to begin with ( ~10) but at the time I got PMR it went to 25! It was such a a dramatic change that rheumi ordered 3T MRI scna to make sure that there is not cancer involved. This was 2.5 years ago. I check PSA every 3 months and as the PMR is becoming less active and I reduce pred, PSA is also going down. Now that I am at 2mg, the PSA is almost down to pre-PMR level (~14 ).

While it is advisable to monitor PSA, I certainly would not run and do biopsy test. It might be prudent to do 3T MRI though, if you are concern.

edit: the number itself does not mean much, and reflects the size and density of the prostate. Sudden jump may be a cause for more investigation. However it has cause so many unnecessary biopsies that like Jake said is somewhat devalued.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to nickm001]

That is interesting - did the doctors have any idea why? Apparently it should be a differential dx.

[nickm001]

not really... Rheumatologist was interested only in the beginning to eliminate prostate cancer as possible cause of elevated inflammation. He ordered MRI and also refereed me to Urologist, who is checking every 3 months PSA, but neither one of them commented on why PSA went high. at the same time I got PMR. Even before PMR I had issue with BPH(Benign prostatic hyperplasia). I think that PMR just aggravated the condition. The good news is that it is getting better as PMR is (hopefully) going into remission. PSA test is improving and the BPH symptoms are improving too.

[JakeSearcher in reply to nickm001]

Ok, Nick, thanks, and I hope ALL numbers continue in the right direction.