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Posted 10/4/2006 7:28 PM (GMT -7)
Hello everyone.

I am new to the forum, and new to this subject, and could sure use some advice.

My husband is 40 (41 at the end of the month) and went in for a regular physical last monday. The doctor did a dre and psa test as part of the physical. She said that his prostate was slightly enlarged but could feel no masses or irregularities, however his psa came back 6.7. She sent him to a urologist who performed both tests again, and again the results were the same, although the psa came back a 5.7. (one week later).

The doctor is suggesting a biopsy. My husband, however, has researched and said he would like to wait one month, repeat the psa, then have the biopsy.

I would like to get some opinions on this from you folks who have delt with this disease. I say, better safe than sorry....have the biopsy. He doesn't want to have it if it is unnecessary. I do so appreaciate any help that you all may have to offer.

Blessings,

Sara

 

Posted 10/4/2006 7:51 PM (GMT -7)

Hi Sara and welcome to the board.

I can only speak for myself but I feel strongly as you do "better safe than sorry".  Although a month might not make that much difference, I would not be able to sleep well, without knowing for sure what it is and as soon as possible.  My husband said the biopsy was really not that bad, as have most of the men on this forum. 

Did the doctors give him any antibiotics or anything just in case he has some kind of infection that would cause an enlarged prostate and elevated psa?  Does PC run in is family?  These are just some quick thoughts running through my head that might be considered, I'm sure there are many other possibilities that the others will bring up that I can't think of right now.  

I know PC is a very scary thing to have to consider.  Please don't panic, (much easier said than done)!  It sounds like your on top of it and caught it early, whatever it is.  Keep reading and learning all you can. 

You have found a great place in this forum for all your questions and for all the support you need.

We'll be keeping our fingers crossed for you and yours.

Posted 10/5/2006 4:02 AM (GMT -7)

Letty,

Thank you so much for your quick reply and kind words!

My husband was not prescribed any antibiotics, and his grandfather is a prostate cancer survivor. His brother and father have not had a problem. He had no symptoms at the time of his checkup; the doctor had recently begun performing prostate exams on younger men, in hopes of catching things early....which is why I want to do this quickly. I feel like we were handed a chance to catch this very early, being that we weren't expecting the test in the first place.

You are right, it is hard not to panic! Thank you for your kind support.

Blessings to you and your husband,

Sara

Posted 10/5/2006 4:59 AM (GMT -7)
Sara,

my husband did not have any symptoms either other than an elevated PSA. He had a biopsy as soon as possible because we wanted to know if he had cancer or not. there is another post here about biopsies that you and your husband could read where most men said it wasn't that big a deal. please keep us updated on what happens.

kat
Posted 10/5/2006 5:47 AM (GMT -7)
Sara,

Best advice I can ever offer anyone is to obtain Lee Nelson's book.
Posted 10/5/2006 5:49 AM (GMT -7)
You might wish to ask about doing a Free PSA to rule out the need for the biopsy. If the percentage is over 25% it could be just an enlarged prostate (BPH) or prostatitis. Did the doctor give any antibiotics? If your husband wishes to wait a month then trying antibiotics before doing any PSA test might be in order.

Jim
Posted 10/5/2006 2:39 PM (GMT -7)
Sara,

Your DH has time to wait out another PSA so don't be worried about that.
It appears to be rising slowly so yeah...it would be nice to know what the slope is by waiting an additional month. Start the man on lycopene and selenium!!!!!

With a PSA below 10, a free PSA is not all that reliable but that too is a good thought. What is a valuable factor is the slope if his PSA rise. Another month won't be any big deal judging from the 2 previous PSA's. Let him make this decision. Good Luck, Swim
Posted 10/5/2006 7:27 PM (GMT -7)

Sara,

As you've altready found there are a lot of views & theories about PSA:

Lee Nelson in his book "Prostate Cancer Prevention and Cure" suggested that 70% of PSA's between 4 and 10 are traced to benign causes.

Although your PSA seems high for age, there is no "normal" reading. It's correct that the trend is of interest, especially sudden rises. Other things can also affect it in addition to infection:

DRE and  Sexual activity can have an influence on PSA, so best not to have the test too soon after.

PROSTATE SIZE: Theory is that the larger the prostate the more PSA it produces. The Prostate size  is needed to calculate PSA "Density" which is PSA divided by size of prostate. Johns Hopkins research into "insignificant cancers" discusses this aspect.

Results can vary a bit, but as it reduced to some extent in a short time, yes I'd also be monitoring the PSA for now, and thinking of the other aspects like the density, trend, free psa which have been suggested.

John

Posted 10/6/2006 8:14 AM (GMT -7)
I suggest the biopsy to rule anything out.  My husband was 44 with absolutely no symptoms.  He had the biopsy which came back positive.  We had referrals to three doctors - one for surgery, one for external beam radiation and one for Brachytherapy (internal seed implant).  I'd rather you be safe than sorry, by the time my husband saw all the doctors and made his decision it went from Stage 1 to Stage 2.  Not to scare you but it can take some time to see specialists and, if he does have it, I would hate to see it progress before treatment.

 

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