Questions about boyfriend's high PSA

My boyfriend, who is in his early fifties, told me his PSA was over 32. His physician did a DRE which showed his prostate is enlarged, so he's been referred for more bloodwork, a PET scan and MRI.

He has a history of MS and is pre-diabetic. Could this have something to do with his PSA being so high? Is it possible for it to be that high and NOT to be cancer? Could a prostate inflammation or infection cause it? Someone told me that diabetics can have a high psa, but he's only in the "pre-stage" of that condition.

My boyfriend knows that I worry alot, so he won't tell me everything that's going on with his health. It seems to me that his physician should not be telling him he probably has cancer BEFORE all his tests come back. In the meantime, here I sit worrying half to death over what could be happening to him.

I would appreciate anyone's feedback on this.......I am a cancer survivor myself, so it really hurts to see the man I care about go through this. Thank you!

It is possible to have a high PSA and it not be cancer. Rare but infection is usually the primary cause. I have not heard that diabetics have higher PSA's but I could be wrong. Because of your boyfriends age and PSA, and the DRE, he will likely be biopsied. A PET scan and an MRI are also the correct protocol. Good luck, and We'll be praying for that infection.

Tony

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Age 45 (44 when Dx)

Diabetics are no more likely to have prostate cancer than anyone else. In fact, recent articles indicate diabetics may be "less" likely. Looks good in print but who really knows these things? The fact is, most elevated PSA's are not caused by cancer. Hard to believe but it is true. Good thing your BF has people who are taking food care of him :>) Good Luck to him.

Swim

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Many thanks for the responses!!! I ran some errands today just to get out of the house and to keep my mind from dwelling on this too much. When I got home I found that my boyfriend left a message and is probably resting right now. He doesn't have the results of those tests as of yet, but at least he didn't have to get two injections of that dye for the second test as he already had one for the PET scan.

Poor guy....he has a headache from that dye. Not sure if that could be called an allergic reaction or not. I had a ct scan a few months ago and started wheezing after they gave me the dye (I have asthma).

Anyway, I'll let you know what he says. I'm hoping that he will get the results soon. Not sure how long it takes, but it seems to me if something really bad was found, they would have kept him in the hospital.

Good Care...Good Care....Golly, musta been hungry when I typed that post...sorry bout the lack of typing skills... :>)


swim

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My boyfriend gave me some really bad news today. The tests came back & he was told he's got stage 4 prostate cancer, with a gleason score of 9, which apparently means it's an agressive form of cancer.

He's trying to decide on the course of treatment - radioactive pellets, etc. He told me that if the treatment works, the 5-year survival rate for this is 70%. If the treatment doesn't work, he's got 6 months to a year to live.

I would appreciate your prayers for my boyfriend and his family, and myself. I've been unable to function and can't think about anything else. If anyone out there has words of encouragement, I sure could use some right about now!

Hi Diana & Boyfriend - - sorry to hear your "not what we wanted to hear" news. There are lots of good stories out there of people who have had dire predictions and with treatment and a positive attitude are around with a good quality of life many years past what they were told.

Please stick with us and share your story and take hope from the ones you also read in here. Take a look at the most recent veteran1 post - you'll see his Dad who had aggressive prostate cancer and is still doing very well. I believe another site is www.yananow.net which has many long term reports. (If I'm wrong, someone please correct the site address)

Hang in there and good luck to you both.

;o) Linda & Bob

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Bob (61) - Laproscopic Prostate Removal Sept 27, 2006.

Diana,

Linda, Bob & Cedar:

Many thanks for your kind words...it means a great deal! I am trying very hard to be strong for my bf, and at the same time I'm trying to give him the space he needs. One thing I find frustrating is that he doesn't like it if I talk about his condition with others. I understand his need for privacy, but I need to be able to vent. I, too, just like my bf, could use some moral support. I've had people pray for him (without giving his name to protect his privacy). I wish that he would understand how much I am hurting because of what he's going through.

Anyway, many thanks for your support and I will continue to visit this board!

:)

dianajune, It is nice to see you support him so well. All of us deal with this thing in our own way. For me, I'm a talker. I fugure if I was given this to deal with there has to be a reason. Maybe that reason is to spread the word. If this could sneak up on me it could sneak up on anyone. If my story makes on guy go get tested and catches his early also, Maybe it is worth it. If the leaking was given to me so I could help someone work through their own problems it will be worth it too.

Your welcome to vent here or lean on us for support any time you wish.

KW

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    43

Diana - correction to the other prostate information and sharing site I mentioned in my post to you . . . .it is www.yananow.net

Others have mentioned there are many stories in there of survivors who originally had the diagnosis they didn't want to hear.

:o) Linda & Bob

Diana, my thoughts and prayers are with you and your boyfriend. As lawlink said, there are lots of good stories out there of people who have had dire predictions and with treatment and a positive attitude are around with a good quality of life many years past what they were told. You have a lot of support here, and rest assured we'll accompany you and your boyfriend on this journey you never wanted to take.

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Age: 49

KW, Linda & Bob and JCL:

Many thanks for your support!! This trial is so difficult and there are times when all I can do is cry, and other times I'm ok. Yesterday I visited my father for a belated Thanksgiving dinner, which was postponed because my brother and his girlfriend arrived late from out of town. I was allright most of the evening, but at one point I was alone in the kitchen and almost started bawling.....

I'm trying to remain positive for my boyfriend's sake, because I know that if he remains so, it will go a long way in his battle against this disease. In fact, he's taking it better than I am!! He has a heck of a sense of humor. I just wish that he would let me come over and take care of him....I mean, to help with chores around the house, inc. cooking, etc. He has a tendency to keep to himself when he's not feeling well. He's been like that since before that diagnosis.

I just want to be there for him. I told him not long ago that when he's happy, I'm happy; and when he's said, so am I. It hurts to see him go through so much. I feel so incredibly powerless and want more than anything to give him a big hug right now, but he wants to be alone today. He's having some kind of stomach trouble...

Anyway, thanks for listening, guys!

:)

take solace in that there is still a posibility to get back to a remission. He will need hormones, radiation and a strong prostate healthy diet. Mnay more tests and steps to go to find a timeline, but He can return to remission. Stay Positive!. I missed stage IV so far but I now have a undetectable disease. You have my prayers and well wishes, and you have all of us to talk to and get some good ideas. As a fellow advanced prostate cancer survivor, I truly do understand.

Tony

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Age 45 (44 when Dx)

Tony:

Thank you! I can't tell you how much I appreciate the support that everyone from this board has shown. It feels good to know that we're not alone in this struggle. There's strength in numbers!

Now all we have to do is get his treatment started and take it from there. I will keep everyone posted. At the moment he's going through red tape with his insurance coverage and I hope it will be resolved soon so his treatment can start asap!

Diana

dianajune - I did not see in your previous posts if he had a bone scan? With a high Gleason (9) and PSA of 32 there is a good chance the cancer has metasticized to his lymph nodes, bones or both. If this is the case, seed implants will not do anything to treat the lymph nodes or bone.

I was diagnosed with Stage 4 in February of 2005, I had both bone and lymph node involvement at that time. Through extensive research on boards like this, many websites and talking to a number of Urologists, Radiologists, and Oncologists - if he truly has stage four, Androgen Deprivation Therapy may he his best course of treatment.

My two cents is don't rush into making a decision, if he takes a few weeks to get additional test and perhaps a second opinion, it will make any difference in the outcome.

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Dx'd 2/18/05
PSA 219, bone mets, lymph node involvement
Gleason Score: 7
Current (11-17-07)
PSA: 23
Lupron, Keto, Avodart

www.flhw.org