Initial high PSA test result outcome

Hi Claymore and welcome.

300 obviously is quite high and difficult to say more until you have MRI which hopefully will be soon.

However there can be other reasons to have a highish PSA so important to push for more tests.

How did a u arrive at hospital for a PSA test, did  u have other things going on. Only reason I ask normally a high PSA would be found initially via your GP.

One other thing , have another PSA just in case a blip.

You'll get plenty of help on here so keep us updated.

Best wishes

Steve 

Hello claymore7259  I warm welcome to the online Prostate Cancer Community.

Yes, I agree, 300 is high although we do have Community members who have had a reading over 3000 so there's no chance of a record with that score.

Unfortunately until the results of your MRI and biopsy are in you won't be able to confirm anything, however as you quite rightly point out the chances of a Prostate Cancer diagnosis with a PSA level of 300 is a distinct possibility.

A thought to remember to cheer you up is that 98% of men with Prostate Cancer die WITH it not OF it.

If you have any specific questions please feel free to ask them however trivial they may be. Keep us in the loop as to your progress.

Best wishes - Brian.

Hi Claymore7259

It can be a shock to the system when you get a result like that out of the blue.
I was in a similar boat in June last year.
I went to see my GP about a pain in my chest that ended up being a partial blockage of an artery in my lung
End result of that was being put on anti coagulants for life.
2 days later I get a phone call telling me that one of the tests they ran was a PSA test and my result was 383
After many tests and scans I ended up with stage 4 prostate cancer that had spread to the bones and lymph nodes

Obviously I am not a doctor and would suggest you wait for the result of the MRI scan and any other tests they run but with such a high number I would advise planning for the worst and hoping for the best.

It's not the end of the world.  In my case it isn't curable but is treatable.
Ive just finished a course of chemo and my last PSA test result is 0.38 which is a definite improvement.
I have a telephone appointment with my oncology consultant in February so I shall see where I go from there.

Try to keep a positive mental attitude as that will help.

Hi ,

My PSA reading was just over 200 , unfortunately it was cancer.

you automatically think the worse, however there are different levels of aggressiveness, I remember reading an article about pussy cats and tigers regarding this.

You have many tests to do before you find that out .

In the meantime it’s important to keep yourself going , difficult at times I know , but try it will help you.

I wish you all the luck with your tests and fingers crossed for you.

best wishes

Tony.

Hello Claymore,

In the summer of 2020, I had a bit of blood in urine, and went to GP.   I gave a urine sample and it was clear. and they said no further action required.  But  I asked for a PSA blood test, and they agreed, and it came up with a PSA of 257.    After physical examination, I was told quite casually that it looked like prostate cancer.    I had a biopsy (that was not as bad as I thought it would be) and it came up with Adenocarcinoma, and I was told that it was very aggressive.  Next day, someone phoned up and suggested I make a will.   As I had no symptoms apart from a bit of blood, and the fact that I was 77, I just accepted it.    Surgery was NOT offered (much to my relief) and I was put on Prostap injection in arm every three months.   After six months, PSA down to less than 3.    After next six months, down to 1.5.    I commented on the fact that because it was aggressive, I thought was going to die shortly.    Then they casually said that prostap could control it for years.   Various scans showed that it had not movd into my bones or soft tissues.   I now have a blood test every six months, followed by a telephone consultation to tell me the latest PSA levels.    They said I could have radiotherapy if I wished, or just let them keep me under observation.  I opted for the latter, as I read that radiotherapy could lead to oher side effects.

Robert       

Hi Claymore7259

Your not on your own with that type of reading, there are many on here that are in three figures some four, myself 893 so it’s just a question of what your Gleason score is plus stage, even if their both not good, the treatments today can give you many years of life, take me Gleason 9/10 stage 4 still fighting seven and a half years later, so stay positive see what your team has for you and try to have questions ready and someone with you, it all helps.

Stay safe

Joe

Hi Robert

Interesting post but just one thing.

It looks like the cancer is contained as  no spread to soft tissue or bones, It could be worth considering RT because possibly that could cure it, unless there's something I'm missing.

It's good that  the Prostap is working so well but don't forget that with all HT they can stop working eventually although I  realise that they could put u on a different one.   

suppose it all depends on tumour size in mm and exact location within the gland

 but modern day RT is very targeted and shouldn't give u any problems .

Just my thoughts but if u could get rid of it once and for all.....

All the best 

Steve

Joe, I just read your bio and noticed that you had a cataract op and are now getting cloudy vision.  I had the same this year (after my cataract op some years ago).  After cataract surgery some patients have a reaction to the new lens (up to 10 years after).  Mine was diagnosed and I had a YAG laser procedure (available on the NHS).  It was a 10 minute process and cleared the clouds away.  Best wishes. David

Hi Steve,

It all seems very vague, so I don't know what to do.   I asked if I would be able to stop Prostap if I had radiotherapy, and they said not necessarily.    They have said several times that it is entirely up to me, but I am not a cancer specialist, and have no real knowledge of what side effects the various treatments have.   I am only a few weeks off 80 now, and I have just said I will leave the treatment to what they think is best.   The GP surgery say they have men who have been on Prostap for teens of years and are still OK - but as I said - I have no idea what to do.   At the same time, it isn't bothering me, and I am certainly not "fighting" or "battling" it.  After the media hammering it in to us for years that such things are more-or-less compulsory when we get old, it didn't come as any surprise at all.   Prior to this, I have had a surprisingly illness-free life until the age of 77, and never even had a day off work.   I will see what they say later this month when they check my PSA again

Robert

Fair point Robert, sounds like your're pretty relaxed with the way things are going.

I am 10 years younger but when I get to 80 possibly the last think I would want would be further treatment.

The only thing I would say is keep an eye on tumour size to make sure it's not increasing in size although probably not likely with your current PSA and the fact that the HT seems to be working well

Good luck

Steve