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Posted 2/22/2007 2:55 PM (GMT -7)
 
52 yo.
PSA 6.79 01/07
enlarged prostate
minor issues w/ urinary frequency - no fat diet started 01/06 has helped immensely
 
My first PSA was 2.1 in 1998.  It's crept up slowly over the yrs.  I had a negative biopsy in 02/04 when it hit 5.6.  Tested 3.2 in 11/04 but did another negative biopsy in 04/06 when it went to 4.6.
 
I'm 0 for 2 with a Urologist that has made it clear he thinks I have prostate cancer and he should surgically remove it.  I've got an appointment with another urologist.  I think I should probably get another biopsy but I'm feeling like I'm going to get cancer from stabbing the crap out of my prostate.  However, it does make my PSA go down.
 
I have to admit I was hoping the no fat diet and supplement regimen might help.  Obviously, it hasn't with this last score. 
 
I'm interested in feed back from others who have had PSA issues w/ multiple negative biopsies.
 
Thanks
 
Kevin
Posted 2/22/2007 3:18 PM (GMT -7)
Kevin: Hang in there. I don't have an answer for you but there are many knowledgeable people on this site and I am sure you will get responses later today. Barrister
Age 64, PSA 3.4,increased from 2.5 over 14 months,  3 of 12 cores positive 12/14/06,gleason 3+3=6
CT of ab,chest and pelvis and Bone scan all negative 1/8/07, staging prior to surgery T1c, Robotic scheduled at Hopkins 3/12/07.

Posted 2/22/2007 3:57 PM (GMT -7)
Keven: I can relate psa 3.5 to 4.9 in one year. biopsy 1/07 dx PIN prostatic intraepithelial neoplaisa? Bleeding 3 weeks post byopsy. Prostate over 70 grams? Issues? what next??
Posted 2/22/2007 4:25 PM (GMT -7)
An enlarged prostate produces more PSA, so gland size needs to be factored in.
Calculate your "PSA density" by dividing your PSA by size of your prostate.
"Free PSA" test also gives indications of the % being produced from benign causes.
 
My recent PSA was 11.3 and prostate size 72 to give a "PSA density" of 1.6 which is reasonable.
My June 2004 biopsy had one out of 10 G6 and high grade PIN.
Dec06 biopsy indicate all 12 samples were OK.
 
Biopsy readings are subjective, and small cancers can sometimes be missed.
 
Johns Hopkins had an interesting article on "insignificant cancers" in their winter 2003 newsletter at www.urology.jhu.edu/newsletter
 
John
Posted 2/22/2007 6:58 PM (GMT -7)
d'oh, one of our docs recommended selenium as a supplement. It is supposed to help prevent some cancers and increase immune system. I just found it tonight, so we haven't seen the benefits yet, but my husband has not been well since before his biopsy (prostatitis, E. Coli, and now bad cold), so we are willing to try anything before surgery. Good luck to you and keep on doing what you're doing. You are your own advocate! Courntey
Kurt & Courtney
47 year old
Great Health prior to dx
Dx on 1/29/07
PSA 4.1
Gleason 3+3=6, both lobes
Stage T2c, I believe
Tumor involves 20% of cores, both lobes
Live in OK
Da Vinci scheduled 3-15-07 in Austin

Posted 2/22/2007 7:04 PM (GMT -7)

Kevin,

Most of the experts books indicate that there is no evidence of biopsies spreading prostate cancer.  However, the "experts" also used to think that "bleeding" a patient to remove bad humours from the bloodstream was a great idea.  I'm not worried about it and I've had two biopsies in the last 7 months and will have another before very long.  If you haven't had a suspicious DRE to go along with your PSAs you might want to get other causes of elevated PSA checked out.  Those biopsies can be kind of a shot in the dark as far as hitting malignant tissue and reading the tissue samples is not easy.  I sent both of mine for second opinions and will do so again.  I had 18 cores the first time and 24 the second.  At this rate, I might have the first rectal prostatectomy in the group.  As long as the expert pathologists have conflicting opinions as to what's going on in my walnut I'll get tested. Lots of men have had post-surgical pathology raise their tumor grade or Gleason score but I'd bet none of them went in with completely negative multiple biopsies.  I thought I was in the club in late November, but after another opinion on the tissues and a consult with a surgeon at Johns Hopkins I am back on the sideline, which I don't mind at all.

Boo

Posted 2/22/2007 8:23 PM (GMT -7)

Kevin

Not to frighten you, but I'm on the "other" side.  Namely, I had only one positive core on the left side, but after my laproscopic prostatecomy the pathology report showed positive margins and capsular penetration on the right side, where the cores were clear.  (The DRE's were always negative.)  Talk about a jaw dropper - I hoped that they had someone elses report!  I'm currently waiting for my first PSA test on 3/13, hoping and praying that it will be 0 and that they got it all.  However, I realize I may have more treatments in store, and many postings on this site have encouraged me.

I can't give you advice on what to do, only a case where a supposed very minimal amount of cancer turned out more than expected.  That's one reason I'm glad that prostate is sitting in a jar of formaldeheide somewhere.

Good luck....

PSA 4.7 (up from 3.2 one year ago)
Biopsy November 8, 2006
1 of 10 cores positive 5%
2 others questionable (small gland proliferation)
Gleason 3+3
Robotic surgery scheduled January 19, 2007

Posted 2/22/2007 9:16 PM (GMT -7)
Dear ~  d’Oh   *Kevin & Loved Ones,               A    “Special”   Warm Welcome   to   You!     I know we can “all” make Your Journey smoother just by being here for you!   This is truly a great forum!!! ~ You have joined! You are now part our forum family ~ a group of wonderful individuals who are so willing to share their journey .   KNOWLEDGE IS POWER... and POWER conquers fear     Our thoughts and prayers are with you as you continue to search for answers.   In Friendship ~ Lee & Buddy   “God Bless You”   It's a little prayer   ~   "God Bless You" ...but it means so much each day, It means may angels guard you and guide you on your way.     (Direct Link ~ just click on the title below and a new window will open!   Reminder … click on the REFRESH icon once you get there) Helpful Hints for New Members... Hope this helps you! :) mama bluebird - Lee & Buddy… from North Carolina Link to our personal journey…>>>      Our Journey ~ Sharing is Caring   April 3, 2006  53 on surgery day RRP / Radical Retropubic Prostatectomy with "wide excision" PSA 4.6   Gleason  3+3=6    T2a   Confined to Prostate 2nd PSA 02-06-2007 Less than 0.1 Non-Detectable :)
Posted 2/22/2007 10:42 PM (GMT -7)
Hi ~ BooMan, Thanks for staying with us... Wonderful posting and it really is good to hear from you! :) Lee & Buddy mama bluebird - Lee & Buddy… from North Carolina Link to our personal journey…>>>      Our Journey ~ Sharing is Caring   April 3, 2006  53 on surgery day RRP / Radical Retropubic Prostatectomy with "wide excision" PSA 4.6   Gleason  3+3=6    T2a   Confined to Prostate 2nd PSA 02-06-2007 Less than 0.1 Non-Detectable :)
Posted 2/22/2007 10:44 PM (GMT -7)
Hi Kevin,   Really glad you found us!     Keep searching for answers until you are comfortable…   I’d be trying #3 urologist too...and any other test that would help to give a clearer picture.   There have been several on this forum who have sent for 2 nd opinions to John Hopkins….     Good new…Two members… recently have had us saying “goodbye” who after several avenues of searching for answers….have not been diagnosed with prostate cancer…. and we are thrilled for them. (Hopefully they will stay in touch periodically… since they are family!!)   Check out their threads… there may be helpful information for you to pull from… and then again they may come on and post on your thread!!!  Thread: PSA Results are in   ~ Started by David’s wife Thread: new to this   ~ Started by Bobbaily   We will keep you close as you search for answers… Stay with us… okay!!!   In Friendship ~ Lee & Buddy mama bluebird - Lee & Buddy… from North Carolina Link to our personal journey…>>>      Our Journey ~ Sharing is Caring   April 3, 2006  53 on surgery day RRP / Radical Retropubic Prostatectomy with "wide excision" PSA 4.6   Gleason  3+3=6    T2a   Confined to Prostate 2nd PSA 02-06-2007 Less than 0.1 Non-Detectable :)
Posted 2/24/2007 2:47 PM (GMT -7)

David:

Saw only one mention of "free" PSA in the posts.  You might want to try that when you get your next PSA.  A low "free" PSA would indicate that further testing should be done.

Best wishes,

Dutch

Diagnosed Feb 2001  (Age 65)
PSA 4.8
Gleason 3 + 3 = 6
T2b
Completed Proton therapy @ Loma Linda - Aug 2001
5yr PSA   0.17
Have had no side effects.

Posted 2/24/2007 7:19 PM (GMT -7)
I would agree do a free PSA.

Also, how many cores are they taking on your biopsies? Wonder if would want to do more in case it keeps "missing" any cancer?

Ken had three biopsies before one showed up with 5% cancer in one core. He also had a slowly rising PSA over about 5 years.

Good luck to you!

Tanya
Significant other diagnosed: 10/30/06
PSA: 3.7 (up from 3.4 prior year)
Gleason: 3+3
Biopsy: 1/10 positive, 5% cancerous, right apex.
Da Vinci Scheduled: 4/10/07

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