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No prostate cancer but PSA is 77.7

Anthony5
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I got a letter today from my consultant. He stated my recent prostate biopsy showed no cancer, and the bone and CT scans were normal. However, as my original PSA was 77.7 he has ordered another PSA blood test, and if the level is still elevated, I will have a sedated prostate biopsy. Have you ever heard of a case where the PSA is so high, but with no other signs of prostatitis, inflammation, enlargement, or infection? I’m thinking maybe some minuscule cancer cells are present in the prostate, causing the high PSA level, but then again that’s just me speculating! I posted my results earlier, and felt really guilty, as there are many on this site that continue to be so supportive and kind to me, and in reality they also need support themselves! Thank you so much.

Tony

  • Hi Anthony5,

     

    Welcome to our online community and thanks for posting your question. My name is Amy and I am one of the Cancer Information Nurse Specialists on the Macmillan Support Line.

     

    I’m glad you have felt well supported in our prostate cancer forum. Everyone understands just how difficult it is to wait and worry about having a possible cancer so there is absolutely no reason to feel guilty about getting in touch or using our services and forums. We know peer support and feeling less alone and isolated can really help, even before a formal diagnosis is made.

     

    The PSA is a blood test that measures levels of prostate specific antigen in the blood. There are other things that can affect PSA such as conditions you mention or ejaculation within 48hrs of biopsy, exercising energetically – especially cycling – within 48hrs for example.

     

    The PSA alone does not give all the information needed but rather helps to decide if further investigations should be carried out. The biopsy can only give answers on the tissue that’s been removed and tested, so sometimes this doesn’t give a clear picture.

     

    It’s reassuring that your scans are normal and re-testing the PSA is a reasonable next step. Doing the biopsy under anaesthetic can allow better positioning for getting the biopsies. Whether your raised PSA is related to cancer or not, that’s a difficult one for us to answer.

     

    Feeling anxious and coping with uncertainty can be tricky. We sometimes find it can help to chat things through over the phone, giving you opportunity to ask more questions. You are welcome to give us a call if you think it might help.

     

    I hope this helps.

      

    Best wishes, 

    Amy C, Cancer Information Nurse Specialist 

     

    You can also speak with the Macmillan Support Line team of experts. Phone free on 0808 808 0000 (7 days a week, 8am-8pm) or send us an email. 

     

    Ref: AC/TT

     

  • in reply to Amy C- Macmillan

    Amy C, thank you so much for your advise and encouragement.

    Tony

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