PSA score 37.6

goatts
goatts Member Posts: 3
in Prostate Cancer #1

Haven't been to doctor in decades.  62 years old.  Applied for life insurance policy and bloodwork showed PSA 37.6.  Never even heard of PSA.  Doc says prostate enlarged with hard spot when he did rectal.  Going for biopsy on Feb 20th.  Only symtom is getting up to pee 3 or 4 times per nite but it's been like that as long as I can remember.  Anyone had similar experience?

Thanks

Tom

Comments

  • VascodaGama
    VascodaGama Member Posts: 3,707 Member
    #2
    High PSA

    Tom (goatts)

    Welcome to the board. I believe you have already investigated about the level of the PSA and its meaning. The first though is prostate cancer but there are many other reasons that can cause the PSA to go high. For the time being you need to wait for the results of the biopsy. In any case, let me inform you that you are not alone. There have been many cases similar to yours, some with positive consequences and some with negative results.

    Just for curiosity, you can try reading the several threads in this forum so that you may be prepared for your next meeting with the doctor. Here are some materials;

    http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/prostate-cancer/basics/preparing-for-your-appointment/con-20029597

    http://www.cancer.org/Cancer/ProstateCancer/DetailedGuide/prostate-cancer-talking-with-doctor

    http://www.cancer.net/patient/All+About+Cancer/Newly+Diagnosed/Questions+to+Ask+the+Doctor

     

    Booklet about biopsy;

    http://www.prostatecentre.com/sites/default/files/Prostate_Cancer_Patient_Education_Booklet.pdf

    A compendium on Prostate cancer and care;

    http://prostate-cancer.org/decision-aide/where-to-start/prostate-basics/

     

    Best of lucks,

    VGama

     

  • goatts
    goatts Member Posts: 3
    #3
    VascodaGama said:

    High PSA

    Tom (goatts)

    Welcome to the board. I believe you have already investigated about the level of the PSA and its meaning. The first though is prostate cancer but there are many other reasons that can cause the PSA to go high. For the time being you need to wait for the results of the biopsy. In any case, let me inform you that you are not alone. There have been many cases similar to yours, some with positive consequences and some with negative results.

    Just for curiosity, you can try reading the several threads in this forum so that you may be prepared for your next meeting with the doctor. Here are some materials;

    http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/prostate-cancer/basics/preparing-for-your-appointment/con-20029597

    http://www.cancer.org/Cancer/ProstateCancer/DetailedGuide/prostate-cancer-talking-with-doctor

    http://www.cancer.net/patient/All+About+Cancer/Newly+Diagnosed/Questions+to+Ask+the+Doctor

     

    Booklet about biopsy;

    http://www.prostatecentre.com/sites/default/files/Prostate_Cancer_Patient_Education_Booklet.pdf

    A compendium on Prostate cancer and care;

    http://prostate-cancer.org/decision-aide/where-to-start/prostate-basics/

     

    Best of lucks,

    VGama

     

    PSA

    Thanks for the info I'll checkout the links.

  • goatts
    goatts Member Posts: 3
    #4
    Positive

    Hey Vgama, could you define positive results?  Have there been guys with my symptoms and it's turned out they didn't have cancer?  Or does positive mean I don't die next year?

  • hopeful and optimistic
    hopeful and optimistic Member Posts: 2,346 Member
    #5
    Tom,Not VGama, but here is

    Tom,

    Not VGama, but here is my LAY opinion of what's going on.

    The PSA is an indicator only, however  a PSA of 37.6 is very high. Each of the following contribute to a higher PSA level, but probably does not explain all of your PSA number.

    You have an enlarged prostate that is laying on the uretha, thus the uretha secrets more, and the PSA level increases

    You may or may not have an infection that can cause increase of the PSA number.

    ..................................................

    The hard spot ,  can be a sign of a tumor that may or may not be cancerous

    .........................................................

    The urination problem most times results from the large prostate, not PCa...but sometimes PCa.

    ..........................................

    I don't know what type coverage you have, but there are sophisticated tests available that give better biopsy results. One is a first getting a multiparametric MRI T3, then a biopsy based on the MRI results....click my name for more detail.

    ....................

    Once again I am a lay person, not as knowledgeable as VGame who is a real expert,so I defer to his thoughts on this subject.

    ............

    Basically PCa is a slow growing disease, so you will be OK , simply keep posting here, read books , attend support groups, etc.

    ..............

    I suggest that at this time that you do research to figure out what a Gleason score is.

    ......................................

    You will be OK....we are here for you

  • VascodaGama
    VascodaGama Member Posts: 3,707 Member
    #6
    Be vigilant and wait for the results

    Tom

    Hopeful above explained everything nicely, with the exception regarding my "expertize". I am also a survivor and a "lay man" but got many years of experience in PCa matters while on treatments.

    As commented above, you have to wait for the results of the biopsy. If it comes out positive to cancer then you need to go further into the diagnosis to certify your clinical stage (how advance would ve your cancer case). Only after that you can decide what to do.

    Some guys present symptomes similar to the ones you expressed but they are "declared" clean of cancer. Some others like me, have no symptoms but found to have cancer from a biopsy done due to high levels of PSA. In my case the PSA was 22.4 ng/ml and the biopsy of six needles all were positive to cancer, indicating a voluminous tumour.

    Take the time to read the information above while waiting for the results. In any case, you will have to be vigilant with periodical PSA tests (every 3-months) to clarify any doubts.

    Best,

    VG

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