My 48 year old son lives in Norway. He was recently contacted by their hereditary cancer clinic and advised that his PSA had increased to 3.0 from from last years 2.5. They felt that's a little high for his age and are going to call him in for an MR and a new PSA test.
Is this any cause for concern? I thought the alarm threshold was higher than that.
It's the trajectory, not the absolute level, that is important.
It's time he got some proper imaging. I would start with a non-invasive color ultrasound. Then maybe an MRI. And only then a biopsy.
Most important it to visit several Docs for several opinions are different medical centers of excellence... only one of which should be urologist .
Germany has some good ones.
I have many members in a FB support group for wives/female partners of prostate cancer patients who are in their 30s, 40s, and 50s.. The same holds true for a very large FB mixed sex PCa support group. I'll say a prayer that the MRI and new PSA are negative.
4.0 is the threshold, but the spike from 2.5 to 3.0 requires some medical intervention.... Always a concern. Best wishes to him..... keep posting here....
Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.
j-o-h-n Sunday 08/20/2023 12:25 PM DST
The Prostate Health Index (PHI) is a much better test than PSA alone.
First question, has there been a PCa diagnosis in your family? Either you or brothers or your father for ex.? A diagnosis would raise the concern level for me. The following is based on no family history of PCA, however it would still be applicable if there was one but with a bit more concern.
I had regular PSA tests mid 30's into my 50's. My PSA pretty much was in the low 30 range. There was not any concern. Many things can affect PSA readings, exercise prior to the test, prostatitis, sex before the test among others. They irritate the prostate and can cause a temporary rise in the PSA.
What is important is PSA velocity and doubling time. Both require several data points to calculate.
Also an MRI is a good place to start and for me would be a must prior to anything invasive. Today MRI's have gotten more sensitive. Then if indicated an MRI guided biopsy would be follow-up. If the MRI does not find any indication then continued PSA monitoring at a more frequent level until a rise or concern can be determined.
I am not a medical professional. I have become, against my will, a more knowledgeable consumer and have dealt with my PCA diagnosis for the last about 15 years. I have followed several forums and kept up with the advances. At this it seems follow-up is warranted and prudent. Concern would come later based on the results of the tests.
I wish the best for your son. And what a great system, that he is followed by the hereditary cancer clinic. With an approach like that, if anything will develop in time , they will caught it in time for him to be cured.
My prostate cancer was diagnosed when my PSA was 1.43. It doesn't happen often, but you can have a low PSA and still have prostate cancer. I wish your son the best.
Precision of the PSA test
Does exercise before a PSA test cause an increase in PSA?
The prognostic value of ultrasensitive PSA test
PSA went up a little, should I be concerned?
