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Posted 11/19/2007 8:29 PM (GMT -7)
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!
Posted 11/19/2007 11:10 PM (GMT -7)
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
Age 45 (44 when Dx)

Pre-op PSA was 19.8

Surgery on Feb 16, 2007

Post-Op Pathology was poor: Gleason 4+3=7, 4 positive margins, Stage pT3b (Stage III)

HT began in May, '07 with Lupron and Casodex 50mg

IMRT radiation for 38 Treatments ending August 3, '07

My PSA did drop out after surgery to undetectable.  It has not returned and I will continue HT until January '08.

My Life is supported very well by family and friends like you all.

STAY POSITIVE!

Posted 11/20/2007 2:55 PM (GMT -7)
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
 

Posted 11/20/2007 3:37 PM (GMT -7)
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.
Posted 11/20/2007 9:20 PM (GMT -7)
Good Care...Good Care....Golly, musta been hungry when I typed that post...sorry bout the lack of typing skills... :>)


swim
 

Posted 11/23/2007 4:32 PM (GMT -7)
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!
Posted 11/23/2007 5:15 PM (GMT -7)
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
Bob (61) - Laproscopic Prostate Removal Sept 27, 2006.

2 of 12 malignant biopsy samples - gleason 3 + 3 = 6.

 

Pathology - cancer completely contained, even a second more aggressive, previously undetected cancer)

PSA UNDETECTABLE Nov 2006, Feb, May, Oct2007.  ONE YEAR!!!! WHOOO HOOOO! 

Bob also has two secondary conditions -- Polycythemia (elevated red & white cells & platelets) and . . Myelofibrosis) -- If anyone has experience with or information on these, please email us.

Post Edited (lawink) : 11/24/2007 1:51:00 PM (GMT-7)

Posted 11/24/2007 5:16 AM (GMT -7)
Diana,


As you deal with this fight and are there for each other, know that we your friends here are hoping and praying the best for the both of you.
As you are strong for each other, don't be afraid to come here to say or ask anything.

The uncertainties of this disease can wear those involved down at times.
Your new friends here will be a constant hope and strength.

"Hope is - that thing with feathers - that sings a song - and never stops - at all."

CCedar
ICTHUS!

Posted 11/24/2007 7:20 AM (GMT -7)
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!

:)
Posted 11/24/2007 11:57 AM (GMT -7)
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
    43

    PSA 5.7 - Discovered during Annual Physical with Family Practice Dr.

        Biopsy Sept. 27, 2006 - Diagnosis Sept. 29 - 3 of 12 positive (up to 75%) all on left side of prostate, Gleason 7

        RRP on Oct. 17, - Nerves on right side saved.

    All Lab's clear.  No Cancer outside prostate

    Cathiter in for 28 days due to complications in healing. Removed Nov. 9, 2006

    First Post op PSA on Dec. 11, 2006  Undetectable 0.00

    Office visit on Jan. 19th due to continued excessive urine leakage.

    Feb.20th Cystoscope and 2nd Post Op PSA. Another 0.00.....:)

    Dr. said everything looks fine.  Continue to work Kegeal's. Leaking appears to have improved  after Cystoscope?!?!?!  Down to 3-4 pads per day!

    March 1st  Leaking has crept back up to 6 - 8 pads a day ??????? 

    March 29th Collagen injection into sphincter / bladder neck area to control excessive leaking.  Worked for a couple of days then back to leaking.

    April 17th (Six Months Post Op) 2nd Collagen Injection to control excessive leaking.  Leaking started back next day at work!

    May 14th Second Opinion about my leaking and Options at OU Medical Center.  After reviewing my records the Dr. feels I will probably need some surgical intervention to stop my leaking.  But did agree to try Bio-Feedback and work hard on the Kegeal's first!

    May 30th Follow up with my Dr. and 3rd Post Op PSA 0.00 agian!!!

    June 1st Start Bio-Feedback to try to control my leaking.

    Oct 17, 2007 1 year Post Op - Still fighting moderate / Severe incontenance. Using 4-6 pads a day.  Erections usable....sometimes!...Better with 100mg Viagra

   

Posted 11/24/2007 1:47 PM (GMT -7)
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
Posted 11/24/2007 5:57 PM (GMT -7)
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.
Age: 49

Diagnosed: March 25, 2007

PSA: 3.0

Biopsy: Gleason 6. Five of twelve core samples positive with <5% each. No perineural invasion seen.

DaVinci Surgery: May 21, 2007 at Florida Hospital, Orlando, Florida. Surgery took one hour and 45 minutes. According to my surgeon, everything went textbook and the prostate peeled away nicely.

Post-op Pathology Report: Upgraded to Gleason 7 (3+4), negative margins, negative capsular penetration, negative seminal vesicles, lymph nodes left intact, multifocal perinural invasion, 15% of prosate involving cancer in both lobes.

Continence: Out of the pads at five weeks. Still have some very minor stress incontinence at times but it's not an issue. Still Kegel every day and will continue to do so.

Erections: Yes! With the assistance of Cialis.

1st Post-op PSA: <0.1 2nd Post-op PSA: <0.1

Family history: My Father had his prostate removed at age 67 in 1997 and has had a <0.1 PSA for the past 10 years. I was diagnosed at a much earlier age and had a more agressive cancer than my father. Go figure.

Posted 11/26/2007 11:43 AM (GMT -7)
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!

:)
Posted 11/26/2007 4:17 PM (GMT -7)
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
Age 45 (44 when Dx)

Pre-op PSA was 19.8

Surgery on Feb 16, 2007

Post-Op Pathology was poor: Gleason 4+3=7, 4 positive margins, Stage pT3b (Stage III)

HT began in May, '07 with Lupron and Casodex 50mg

IMRT radiation for 38 Treatments ending August 3, '07

My PSA did drop out after surgery to undetectable.  It has not returned and I will continue HT until January '08.

My Life is supported very well by family and friends like you all.

STAY POSITIVE!

Posted 11/26/2007 9:00 PM (GMT -7)
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
Posted 11/29/2007 8:26 PM (GMT -7)
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.
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

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