PSA Increase: PSA was at 4.92 three... - Prostate Cancer N...

Prostate Cancer Network

5,258 members3,325 posts

PSA Increase

boxmk profile image
6 Replies

PSA was at 4.92 three months ago. It is 6.99 today. Have had cancer for 2 years with a Gleason of 3+3. No treatment other the active surveillance. Next appointment with Urologist is in January. Any suggestions?

Written by
boxmk profile image
boxmk
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Read more about...
6 Replies

I suggest an appointment in December.

cajun1949 profile image
cajun1949

I agree with martingugino...

Wings-of-Eagles profile image
Wings-of-Eagles

I would skip the Urologist, and get thee to an Oncologist/Specialist sooner than later. This PSA jump is what your active surveillance was designed to see! And now is the time to take action, and new treatment.

AlanMeyer profile image
AlanMeyerModerator

I think the increase in PSA could be a growth of the cancer, but doesn't have to be. Even when we have cancer, we can still get prostatitis (infection and/or inflammation of the prostate) that causes the PSA to rise. In fact, from my own experience, I think that digital rectal exams that are not carefully done (I've had some brutal ones) can cause prostatitis.

Now about what to do.

Is your Active Surveillance something with a plan, or is it just "Well, let's just watch it for a while." Here's what I mean by a plan: What PSA level should trigger what new actions? New actions could include an MRI of the prostate, more frequent PSA tests, other kinds of blood tests, maybe another biopsy, and possibly treatment. With a plan you're not just drifting from appointment to appointment and wondering when something should be done. No plan is perfect, but at least it will give you some guidance about the future.

Wings-of-Eagles suggested going to an oncologist/specialist. I think there's a great deal to be said for that. There are urologists who specialize in prostate cancer and are real experts, but most are not, they're generalists on all aspects of urology and PCa is just one of their concerns. Real specialists are often found at the big teaching hospitals. See: cancer.gov/research/nci-rol....

Good luck.

Alan

boxmk profile image
boxmk in reply toAlanMeyer

Thanks Alan. So much to consider but the best suggestion is to have AS with a plan. Which I currently do not have.

Take care!

boxmk profile image
boxmk

Maybe the wrong decision but having another PSA done at end of month and seeing Urologist in January. Thanks for the advice.

Not what you're looking for?

You may also like...

Minor psa increase again

Just over 12 months since adt finished. All clear at <0.01 2 months ago when it started to rise to...
Runner1957 profile image

PSA and FreePSA increase

Had another PSA test prior to decision making. PSA up from 5.68 to 6.60 G6 diagnosis. However Free...
Sunfire profile image

post PSA persistent PSA

Hi. I've been following the forum in behalf of my dad since June and wondering your thoughts. He...
k538 profile image

Drop in PSA

I checked my PSA 3 months after my initial diagnosis in September. It dropped from 3.5 to...
Gpinkk profile image

PSA spiked

Hi, I am new at HealthUnlocked. PSA 29.4 and after biopsy (10 samples - 4 at 30% and 6 at 50%)...
Asianbites profile image

Moderation team

Bethishere profile image
BethishereAdministrator
Number6 profile image
Number6Administrator
Darryl profile image
DarrylPartner

Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.

Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.