Advice and experience

Hi Joe and welcome 

I don't think u can read too much into that although worth having a MRI just to check

So PSA  2.3,  5.3,  4.9 and 4.6

So it did rise up initially but is coming down again, possibly U had some kind of infection.

Obviously needs to be monitored, probably more PSA tests and possibly MRI, have they suggested a MRI?

Anyway it doesn't look a major concern but even if it was PC potentially eady to treat.

Best wishes

Steve 

Hello Joe (JoeShmoe (07136f780b474735a2337506388d3344)) 

Welcome to the group - that's just a border line PSA for a man of 53 (normal average 3.5) but your reduced testosterone could already be slowing down any cancer growth. Prostate Cancer feeds on testosterone so the lower it is the slower it grows).

The normal diagnostic route after a referral is MRI (shows the size of the prostate and any tumor) and a Prostate biopsy (shows how aggressive the cancer is -if there is any). They can throw in an ultrasound scan or a bone scan but i don't think you need these. 

If your GP referral is on the cancer pathway which it should be so the aim is for tests and a diagnosis in 28 days and start treatment within 62 days. Most NHS trusts miss these deadlines!!

Best personal advice, stay away from Dr Google, don't worry about the biopsy and think "my GP's got this early -if it's cancer I should be on a Curative pathway".

Feel free to ask any questions, however trivial.

Best wishes - Brian.

Hi Joe

Welcome to the group. PSA tests pre treatment are pretty unreliable so the numbers don't mean much. Only a need for further investigations. Lots of things, other than prostate cancer can cause a higher reading including having sex and certain types of exercise (e.g. cycling) before a test.

Expect to get offered an MRI scan to look for anything suspicious. If nothing shows up you probably won't need a biopsy, just regular PSA tests. 

Prostate cancer is usually very slow growing and waiting for tests is the worse part (it was for me anyway). Try not to worry about how long it's taking to get tested. A few weeks or months won't make any difference even if you need treatment. If caught early treatment success rates are extremely high.

Feel free to ask any questions

Cliff

Thank you all so much for the replies, interested in the testosterone bit, i'm on TRT (and still am), GP didnt mention anything here but should i stop that for now or wait for urologist guidance? I had low testosterone 5 years ago and had mental and physical symptoms that the treatment has helped with but will absolutely stop if its in the best interest whilst we wait for clarification / next steps

How long have u been on TRT for , can increase PSA slightly 

About 2 years now 

Ok, I would continue with PSA tests and push for a MRI just to be sure nothing showing up.

Steve 

Hello Joe (JoeShmoe (07136f780b474735a2337506388d3344)) 

JoeShmoe said:

should i stop that for now or wait for urologist guidance?

You should always continue with prescribed medication until told otherwise by the GP or Consultant.

Being a bit of a nerd  I have been reading the NICE guidelines for TRT and it clearly states that as the medication can increase your PSA anyone 45 or over on TRT should have PSA/Prostate monitoring. Clearly your GP is on the ball.

Best wishes - Brian.

Hello JoeShmoe 
Before any treatment I had PSA readings of 18, then 11. The blood was taken at two different centres, not sure where the testing was done for each. But still quite a difference.

The MRI will give the oncologist and their team more information and helps identify whether it is likely to be cancer and needs further investigation, or maybe something else causing the variation in PSA. They can also gauge the size of your prostate from the results, which helps with any treatment plan. If you do have an MRI they will probably pop a canula in your hand first as well, so some contrast dye can be fed in. That happened towards the end of mine. The machine is a bit noisy but you don’t feel anything and what it’s doing to your body and imaging from that is incredibly clever.

Yes, the biopsy is a bit of a different experience. I certainly wasn’t looking forward to it, but it wasn’t at all painful in my case. I didn’t even feel the local anaesthetic going in. If you do have one be prepared for some equipment to be added to the bed you are on, some sheeting to be wrapped over you and your legs to be up in a rather ungentlemanly position! One of the theatre staff chatted to me during the procedure which really helped. You may be able to take your phone and headphones in, helps take your mind off what’s happening down below. It didn’t take very long. When I walked out about an hour later I realised I shouldn’t have worried about it quite so much…! No discomfort when the LA wore off, but did have some blood in my urine for a few weeks afterwards. Biopsies don’t get mentioned very often on here, you can read something positive from that…! Good luck with yours, if it is part of any further diagnosis.

Timescales vary between trusts and, I guess, individuals. The NHS aim for a diagnosis within 28 days of the referral for 80% of patients.

Good luck and let us know how you get on…