Shocking PSA result - what happens next?

Good morning CivEng.

Welcome to this group of helpful and supportive individuals. As you are googling at this time of the morning then you are trying to find out what is going on. The people on this forum have a wide range of personal experience and knowledge of prostate cancer both as sufferers and their families. We can be a bit wacky at times which helps and go off topic but hope we can help you on your journey if you are diagnosed with prostate cancer or prostate problems.

You are already on the way to finding out what is causing your raised PSA by being sent for tests. You mention that you have had a probing test, by that I presume you mean a digital rectal exam (DRE) or finger up the bum. Did the doctor mention if he felt anything? There are several reasons why your PSA can be raised such as a urine infection or an enlarged prostate besides prostate cancer. The fact that you are here means that you suspect you have PCa and are frightened. With a PSA of 46 it is not as bad as it sounds. Normally levels below 100 at initial diagnosis have a good prognosis. Try not to Google too much at the moment because you are going to scare yourself even more. Your initial tests will hone in on what you are facing but remember there are a lot of people willing and able to help you on your journey. Most PCa's are slow growing and don't forget that most men die with PCa not of it.

No doubt others will be chipping in at some point and please come back with any questions no matter how small. I think that is enough for now and that you can get some sleep.

Hi,

when you first get diagnosed most of us are straight on doctor google, the one that got me was PSA over 20 usually indicates high risk cancer.

My PSA was 203 , however there are many tests to determine the Risk category. Long story short I was at intermediate risk , went with HT and RT , now over 2 years later had a Pet Scan that showed all cancer cells were gone, scan was clear.

I wish you all the luck, I hope this helps.

Tony

Hi CivEng

The PSA result, on its own, is not a good indicator of what's going on.  As others have said, the further tests that you will have, will drill down to the problem. 46 isn't too bad - others have had readings in the 100s and my Cancer Nurse Specialist said she had patients in the 1000s.

When I had my first PSA result, the GP asked me if I had cycled to the surgery for the blood to be taken - there are a number of other things that can affect the PSA result aside from PC, one of which is cycling!

When you have received the results, let us know and we can offer you more help in understanding.

You are at the very beginning of your journey, and things may not be as bad as you feel so try not to get too stressed out ( easier said than done, perhaps).

Regards

Stuart

Hi C

There r other things that can cause a high PSA including infections and u have only had one, could be a blip.

Obviously further investigation is needed, presume u will be having a MRI soon , that should tell you a lot.

Try not to worry too much at this stage, easy to say I know

Hopefully u can have a Mri soon , come back when u have some more information or obviously come back if u have any more questions.

Best wishes

Steve 

Hello CivEng

A very warm welcome to our little "club" - we are a friendly bunch and I am so sorry to find you here, however it's the right place to be for help and advice.

 Alwayshope has stolen my thunder (again!) but what she has said is 100% correct so I will say no more - Apart from on diagnosis my PSA was 182! To put you in the picture if you click on the icon of the beach you can follow my PCa journey from symptoms to diagnosis and on to treatment - There were a couple of issues on the way but 20 months down the line I feel amazing!

Ask anything you  want - however trivial - someone here will have the real answer (not Dr Google).

Best wishes - Brian.

As others have said a raised PSA can be the result of vigorous activity, including sex a day or 2 before. When my husband had his first test in 2015 he walked to the hospital and I passed him in the opposite direction and he was walking very briskly.  When he got home I asked him if he'd read the booklet that he'd been given telling him the does and don'ts and his answer was no I'll read it later. As it transpired, on that occasion no harm was done because according to our GP  they never got the results so he had another test  which was normal.

When my husband was diagnosed his PSA was 6.94 which is quite low in comparison to some of the other forum members with results into the high 100's. My husband’s cancer was locally advanced, which means it was breaking through the prostate capsule, but many others with much higher levels had fully contained cancer.

In my husband’s case the next stage was an MRI, followed by a biopsy, CT and bone scan. From referral to surgery was exactly 3 months and he's now coming up to 3 months post surgery and doing very well. 

Also as others have said stay away from Google as there are so many so called experts on there, many of them who are not in the UK so the information may not be helpful. I would advise that if you do want to read up on it, to only look at Prostate Cancer UK and Macmillan as they are reputable and won't preach quackery.

All the best with your tests which I hope will reassure you.

To Alwayshope, Tony 123, Scampidoodle, Grundo, Millibob and GR1,

A thousand thanks to all of you for taking the trouble to reply with words that are simultaneously soothing and highly informative. I hope my response to a PSA of 46 wasn’t an overreaction.

I’ve had two phone calls from the NHS since I posted, one on Friday to explain what will happen next, the second a discussion on Saturday about my results and symptoms with a splendid Italian doctor who talked me through the tests I will have. 

There will be an MRI scan of my prostate plus a bone scan. I will be offered a choice of three hospitals to have these done, two NHS and one private. All are within 29 miles, one is within 3 miles, so I am happy.

The doctor was meticulous in asking about my symptoms and my medical history. His attention to detail was impressive. My GP is also very supportive.

Together with the wonderful support you have given me on this forum I feel I am in good hands.

 I think the advice to stay off Google is particularly sound and very much appreciated.

Thank you so much!

Tony

Hi Tony

Things seem to be progressing nicely and it's good that you feel confident with the consultant.

No, you didn't over react. It's a troubling and frightening time for you. If you are anything like me, I was numb after my diagnosis, and felt like I had been hit over the head with something. 

Let us know, in due course, how things go with your scans go and we can help more.

Regards

Stuart

Hi Tony. Good news about your supportive medical team and no you did not overreact. The bone scan is to check that there is nothing there and is needed before any treatment starts, if needed, as that can skew results. It is a very quick process. The MRI will take longer, about half an hour, and will check the lower abdominal area. Both procedures are painless and will require an injection so tell the technicians if you are needle phobic or claustrophobic for the MRI. Once you have had the results you will have a better idea of what is happening. Come back with the results and if you have any questions in the meantime then we will all chip in and try to help. In the meantime try to keep fit and check your diet.

Hi Tony,

It’s great to hear your medical team being so supportive towards you, I must say I’ve been to four hospitals, investigations and treatment all have been brilliant.

Like Stuart said you certainly didn’t overreact , I was in a right old state when I got diagnosed, it’s not knowing what the future holds, we are all here to say there is hope.

Good luck with your scans

all the best

Tony