high psa test?

Question

hi,my psa has risen from 4.4 to 9.9 in 4 years and i had a biopsy when it was 6.6 and that was clear but after the 1st biopsy it seems like i need a 2nd 1,why cant it all be done with the 1stthe thought of a 2nd has brought on anxiety,stress&depression so bad its unbeleilevable.anyone else like this .

Answer 1

I have been through it - sort of. My PSA was 380 (YES 380) when first tested because my G P (Doctor) had been giving me pills to relax the neck of the bladder when I had problems "passing water". The pills had helped for a couple of years but a PSA test would have been better!
I could not have a biopsy because I lost my rectum when I had an ileostomy - is why I said sort of. However, I have no hesitation in telling you that a biopsy NOW is better than advanced prostate cancer LATER.
Rest assured that it is unlikely that the medics do this for fun - it is in your interest - and that of any family, that tests of any sort are carried out. And it does happen that sometimes a vital spot can be missed and has to be hit in a second exploration. (As a matter of interest my PSA is now around 8)

Answer 2

Doctors use PSA, along with other information, to measure your prostate health. A high PSA level can be a sign of prostate cancer. However there are other conditions that cause an increased PSA. Enlarging Prostate, prostate cancer, and prostatitis are the most common reasons for a high PSA. While a high PSA does not always mean prostate cancer, your doctor will want to be sure that you do not have it.

The PSA is a poor diagnostic testing tool. It is only 50% accurate. In your case your higher PSA has nothing to do with prostatic cancer. The test is normally used to monitor a patient after they have been treated for cancer of the prostate. Lets say for this discussion that a patient has a PSA of 12 and they find that the patient has prostatic cancer and they treat the patient. The PSA now falls to 4. They will monitor the PSA and if it increases substantially they will know they have a regrowth of the cancer but if it stays around 4 then they will know that the patient is free of cancer. I hope that helps.

Answer 3

PSA (prostatic specific antigen) can be raised in benign prostate conditions too - in other words it doesn't necessarily mean you have cancer. Unfortunately because there's been quite a dramatic rise in your PSA, the only way to find out though is to have another biopsy. Better to find out either way, then treatment can start sooner rather than later. Good luck :)

Answer 4

The higher the PSA level the greater the risk of prostate cancer, NOT always but sometimes. Its best to get this checked with a biopsy, than to leave it and let something sinister develop.
If it is a cancer (and I say IF) isnt it best to find out now and treat it?

Answer 5

Prostate cancer is treatable. My father had it and now it's gone into remission. You need therapy, and as soon as possible, if it is cancerous, and with a PSA score so high, it is likely.

Good job on getting the test done. I would imagine your doctor told you what to do next. Do that. I doubt he just gave you the results and sent you away. If you left quickly after finding out, go back.

Answer 6

sometimes when performing tissue biopsy they miss lobe that has cancerous cells,your prostate has 4 lobes,if you are nervous get something for you to relax from Md. Do you exhibit problems related to ^psa levels.

Answer 7

Hi your psa is related to your prostate gland I know because my father always got his checked when he had prostate cancer
I hope this helps
good luck

Answer 8

Have a second opinion...PSA is usually related to the prostate gland.

Answer 9

Have a look at the 'What Doctors Don't Tell You' website - their opinion of this test is quite scathing.

Answer 10

see your doc, the test is only an indication that further examination is needed