Prostate Health Index

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RER3877
RER3877 Member Posts: 15 Member
in Prostate Cancer #1

Haven't been here for several months so maybe this is an old topic. My friend has a PSA of 4 - got there slowly over many years. He's now 80. His Dr. told him his PHI indicates he has a 50% chance of having (or getting cancer) and is going to do a biopsy to sort out what, if anything, needs to be done.

On my cancer journey over the past 3 years or so, I've never hear of the PHI. So what's up with that - is it new? Is it a better marker that PSA? Is age a factor in going this route? I know there's stuff on google but I'd rather see a few thoughts from folks who have actually dealt with PHI and what it led to down the road. Thanks....

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  • oldspice
    oldspice Member Posts: 57 Member
    #2
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    I have not had that test or even was aware of it so it peaked my interest. Here is a good link I found you may find interesting.

    https://www.newyorkurologyspecialists.com/prostate-cancer/prostate-health-index/

  • RER3877
    RER3877 Member Posts: 15 Member
    #3
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    Thanks for the suggestion. Like to find a study on how accurate the PHI is in predicting prostate cancer I.e. PHI indicates the need for a biopsy - what % of the biopsies found cancer in the prostate?

  • Clevelandguy
    Clevelandguy Member Posts: 1,013 Member
    edited March 3 #4
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    Hi,

    PSA test gives you an actual value where a PHI is more of a predictive score on the chance of having cancer. An MRI guided biopsy has a good chance of finding cancer if the MRI data shows suspected areas. If it was me I would go with a PMSA PET scan before the biopsy. If the PET shows no suspicious areas why do the biopsy at his age. If they do a peritoneal biopsy they might give him a general anesthesia. From what I have read it would not be uncommon to find Prostate cancer at his age. Over 50% do have some form of Prostate cancer by age 80.

    Dave 3+4

  • Steve1961
    Steve1961 Member Posts: 519 Member
    #5
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    https://csn.cancer.org/discussion/comment/1713698#Comment_1713698

    Absolutely positively no need for a biopsy PSMA scan first or an MRI must be done before any biopsy is done of any kind..that will tell tou if a biopsy nis needed . I think stove your froend needs to see another dr

  • RER3877
    RER3877 Member Posts: 15 Member
    #6
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    Good things to consider - thanks.

    At this stage, the PHI is irrelevant for me but I get asked by friends who are just starting down this path. What % of folks with a high PHI actually show cancer in the biopsy if they elect to have one? And I agree, as we get older, the likelihood of having prostrate cancer goes up - is it life threatening - maybe not as I read the research. I just don't like having an invasive procedures unless I'm sure it's going to yield some meaningful data that needs to be addressed. At this point, I'm just telling folks who ask me what they should do that "I don't know" - if the PSA is high then definitely get the biopsy done. Need to see some clinical trial data - but. then again, I like numbers....

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