High PSA but no sign of cancer with digital or MRI.

,Hi Rob 

Difficult one but if it was me I think I would want to hang on, biopsies not a lot of fun. 

Good news that MRI doesn't show anything  but slightly odd that PSA creeping up.  Yes excercise before PSA can cause a rise but not sure how much.

Also infections can cause a rise as well.

How was the PSA 9 found, did u have symptoms or was it just a routine one.

Come back when u know more, also see what others say.

Best wishes

Steve 

Hi Steve,

Many Thanks for getting back. The first PSA of 9 was a routine check.

Not sure if a high PSA can be due to anything else. I haven’t had any bladder infections etc. I know the consultant was only concerned about the high PSA. Not the MRI or digital.

it would be ironic if I had the biopsy only to get an infection but get no further with a diagnosis for the high PSA.

I’ll have a think about that biopsy .

Take care

kind Regards 

Rob

Trouble is unless you are having a  pereneal biopsy which covers a large area of the prostate they could easily miss a small tumour, if there was one.

Hopefully.they will agree to wait for another PSA, rest on the couch for a couple of days before, no exercise.

Good luck 

Steve 

Hi Rob

Couldn't agree more with Steve. Biopsies are very unpleasant and, in my case, painful. By far the worst part of my journey - apart from being told, of course.

If the consultant can't find anything via DRE or MRI, what exactly is the operator going to target, to obtain a meaningful sample?  Or will they be instructed to take random samples, in the hope they might get lucky?

I would strongly suggest you determine what the consultant expects to achieve and, also, how many samples they will take. My consultant wanted 3 ( the operator took 4 ) and I can't imagine having more taken. Some in the waiting room had over 24 which I couldn't possibly have endured ( I had a local anesthetic they may have had a general).

Hope this helps

Stu

Thankyou Steve and Stu I think I certainly have some questions for the consultant next week. It was my worry too that if nothing is showing up then what are they going to take a biopsy  of?

I will request another PSA I think but this time take your advice and rest up before the test .

Thanks Guys. You take care too and hope things are working out for you

cheers

Rob

• Hello Rob.Your MRI results should include an estimate of the size of your prostate.  A larger prostate usually produces more PSA in the blood, even in the absence of prostate cancer. In your case, with a PSA around 10, your prostate would need to be around 100 cc's to account for that much PSA in the absence of prostate cancer or infection. This would be solidly on the large side. If it your prostate is much smaller than that, you most likely have something going on. If there is no infection, it is prostate biopsy time for you. Yes, it is not fun. Yes, it should be a random, 12 core biopsy. If no infection or not a large prostate, your chance of the biopsy finding cancer is somewhat over 50%. 
• You may have plenty of time to think this over. Then again maybe not.
• My uneducated guess is exercise or sexual activity before PSA test is 2 or 3 numbers. I'm  sure everyone is different.
• I wish you good luck.

Thankyou Stampede. That certainly gives me something to think about.. and to chat through with my consultant .

Kind Regards 

Rob