If you have an elevated PSA in a prostate test, what are the odds that it's cancer?

Question

My dad (age 55) had a prostate test and his PSA levels were high. He was referred to a urologist for a biopsy, were still waiting on the results. I just want to know what the liklihood of it being cancer is. Do high PSA levels mean it's most likely cancer?

Answer 1

PSA is secreted by prostate tissue, healthy or diseased. As men age, it's normal for their prostates to gradually enlarge, and their PSA levels to rise. If your father's urologist has estimated the volume of his prostate, you can calulate his expected PSA by multiplying the volume in cc's by 0.066. If his actual PSA is higher than calculated, then the chance are good that cancer will be found.

Answer 2

The PSA (prostate-specific antigen) is just an aid, a screening tool in prostatic cancer diagnosis but only a biopsy will definitively diagnose that disease. PSA is a glycoprotein produced by prostatic tissue that increases in both BPH and prostatic cancer as well as with trauma and with rectal and prostate exams. However, it's significantly increased in prostatic cancer. You didn't provide the antigen level but if you can access it compare it to the following: 4-19ng/mL suggests BPH (benign prostatic hypertrophy) a common condition of an enlarged prostate in men your father's age. 10-120ng/dL suggests prostatic cancer. Prostate cancer is one the most treatable forms with a high cure rate and a very favorable prognosis as long as it is in situ (inside the prostate gland) and hasn't metastasized (spread outside the prostate gland).

I believe that the plastic surgeon above me meant that "if the biopsy is POSITIVE...".

Answer 3

no necessarily, psa is elevated in many diseases, like benign prostatic hypertrophy and trauma, not only on cancer, and dosen´t make the diagnosis of cancer per se, that´s why we need a biopsy, so don´t worry about it until you have the results, and in the case that it is positive (bad) the treatment for this cancer have excellent results, good luck

Answer 4

The urologist will schedule a biopsy. The results will give you the answer. If the test comes back positive, the doctor will also be able to tell him the grade and stage of the cancer. Let's hope it's NEGATIVE.

Answer 5

my dad have a elevated PSA (34,8 in his case). He have done a biopsy and infortunately it was a cancer. He have done only One hormone by trimester and his PSA is of 0,35.

The doctor told him that now is time to do something more, but its a very controlable disease fortunately

Answer 6

elevated levels do not always mean it is cancer, only a biopsy can give a definite answer. Prostate cancer is quite treatable, so try not too worry too much. Good luck.