PSA test results

Hello Kevstar 

A warm welcome to the group, although I am so sorry to find you joining us.

Yes you have a PSA slightly higher than normal for your age, however a PSA reading is only an indicator of cancer, the acid test is the MRI combined with the Prostate Biopsy which will give you a Gleason Score (how aggressive the cancer is) and a TNM Score (Staging).

You will have to let the diagnostic process take place before you have an answer to that question as we are all different, sadly it's a waiting game. Prostate cancer is usually a slow growing cancer.

Just to show that PSA is only an indicator, my PSA on diagnosis was 182 and I am Stage 3 (click on my name or avatar for the full story). hopefully once you have a diagnosis I would hope that wait a PSA of 9.2 any treatment if needed would be given with "A curative intent".

Best wishes - Brian.

Hello Brian,

Many thanks for your very helpful reply.

Wow! You’ve been dragged through the swamp without a doubt. Makes my circumstance minimal.

I have no fatigue or any other symptoms and what the GP said could be Occult suspected PC so like you mention it’s a waiting game.

Sure is concerning as I’ve never had any health issue before. I have a very good diet, exercise every day, never smoked and only occasionally have a drink but we all know this stuff doesn’t pick it’s victim well it seems.

Your journey is vast and I’m so glad your recovering well and fulfilling life.

Regards

Kevin

Hello Kevin (Kevstar ) 

No, I hadn't been ill until I saw A & E on that Christmas Eve, and the rest as they say is history.

Keep positive, stay fit, and I am sure you will sail through the MRI and Biopsy, Stick with us and if you have any questions, just ask, nothing is too trivial and there is a wealth of knowledge on the group.

Best wishes - Brian.

Hi  Kevstar. I’m 75 and have been told I have Prostate Cancer. A big, big thing to be told. I was scared. However, trust in people, especially the people around you and of course the NHS.

My PSI was121. Had an MRI. Had a biopsy. I had had a DEXA scan and also a PET scan. Started taking Tamsulosin to help with going to the loo at night. Taken the last of Bicalutamide tablets (Hormone) after having my first of my injections 23rd April. These are every 3 months. Then when these have finished, I have to have radiotherapy, because it’s in my groin lymph node, which they are not that concerned about, because it’s so small.  Then down the line, radiotherapy.

Stay positive.

Regards

GedExe

Hi Kevstar - all of the responses so far are I hope reassuring you a little. The best advice is that you need your test results and then a plan for the future treatment.

I am diagnosed Sept 25, stage 4 (treatable but not curable) and am on hormone therapy and nearly through a course of Chemo.  I was asymptomatic but tested at GP last August, all a bit of a blur due to a very high PSA (953) which accelerated the testing phase! ( CT and Bone scans and biopsy).

My PSA is now undetectable after the hormone treatment (Zoladex and Darolutamide) and I am presuming the Chemo is working. Next steps are potential Radiotherapy requiring further planning scans which should show what is happening where!  The Hormone and Chemo treatments can make you very fatigued.

The other key message is not to panic. This is difficult I know, especially as soon as the C word is mentioned.  I spent weeks seemingly going through all sorts of scenarios in my head, but then having a clearer view once on the treatment pathway.  Maintaining a good mental balance together with keeping up exercise and good diet will all help going forward.

The other main consideration is if there is a significant other and - if so - they will be going through the same stuff as you in their head (and probably worse), and they need support whilst supporting you.  This forum is a great place to get some of that, but do take the opportunity to talk to family/friends when you feel you can and have a bit more info.

I wish you well

KrisPy

Hi Gedexe,

Crikey that PSA is huge!

Yes the GP was very good discussing possibilities so that’s reassured me plus talking to people at work there are so many that know someone who’s been through it.

Thanks for your reassurance and do hope you recover well. 

Regards

Hi KrisPy

Thanks for that and your kind reassurance. You guys on here have big PSA readings which makes mine look insignificant.

Yes waiting on the referral and MRI within 2 weeks and trying not to beat myself up. I’m talking to others as I’m an open person with no significant other.

Fully intend with continuing my healthy lifestyle to keep my body strong against what the outcome may be. 

Regards

Kevin

Morning Kevstar

Just another thought, as George Orwell nearly said "Four Ears Good, Two Ears Bad"...see if you can get someone along to your consultations to listen with you. The reality is that you will not take it all in.  There is an option to record the conversation (with the permission of the other party) if that is a solution.

Also check out the advice on Prostate Cancer UK website, they have excellent material/booklets available - their "Toolkit" publication is brilliant.

all the best

KrisPy

Hi Kevstar , I was PSA 74 at the start.  Sadly the PSA score on its own isn’t very useful.  It is an indicator but someone may have 4 and be more advanced than another on a 1000.  Over time the PSA may give a trend (moving up is bad, moving down is good) but still not very accurate.  Your low score may not be PCa.  So next comes an MRI, this merely looks at the prostate and surrounding area and gives a picture of any irregularities.  From this you will get a score which isn’t conclusive (even top score 5 is suggestive rather than definite).  However, the MRI does usually indicate where any problem is located (totally within the gland is good, out of the gland is not so good), it also indicates when a tumour is suspected how big it is.  All useful, but still not conclusive, so finally a biopsy (using the MRI results) to take samples for analysis.  This is conclusive and if PCa is found, then how aggressive it is on a scale to 10, with 9 & 10 being aggressive.  I was G9 over 9 years ago.

This is all a lot to take in, so don’t worry, once you get any results, just pop them down and someone will guide you through.  The scary part is the unknown.  Once you know it gets easier.  Fingers crossed you are clear anyway.

Welcome but sorry to find you here.

What David2017 says, don't get hung up on PSA. Mine is always much lower than one would expect given other "measurements". At time of original diagnosis and treatment in 2021 reached max of 18, but Gleason 9 far more telling. Recurrence last year saw 2.9, 4.5, but PSMA PET revealed the sort of mass spread normally associated with much higher PSA levels. Fell to 0.03 after a few months of HT double treatment but again of little relevance. 

I am sure that there are opposite cases  -   massively high PSA but entirely responsive to treatment.

Some medics are fixated on PSA as the only monitoring method and predictor. Don't let them be.

Good luck, Dave