psa and prostate cancer

psa and prostate cancer questions and answers

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Q: At what age should you start prostate cancer screenings if you have a strong family history?
My husband will be 30 soon and I wonder when he should start psa screening for prostate cancer. His father, paternal grandfather, and paternal uncle all had/have prostate cancer. His father was diagnosed at age 43 but it appears to be out of remission now after 10 years. I've read the recommended age is 45 or 50 yrs but if my father-in-law waited to 45 he'd be dead by now. So if you have a strong family history, what's the best time to start?

A: $0 would be reasonable earlier if has any symptoms

Q: I have prostate cancer. My PSA has been 4.2+ for years. I finally had a biopsy 3 weeks ago and the results:?
Tumor is Gleason's combined score 9. Focal high grade PIN. Cancer is either T-2 or T-3. Therepy will be radiation, radioactive seeds and hormones. What are survival rates? Don't ask why biopsy wasn't been done sooner. I trusted doctors decisions. I am now 66. The Urologist says this is the "ONLY" treatment for my cancer. There can be no wait it out.

A: .I am now in my 4th year as a prostate cancer survivor.Originally Gleason 10+,PSA-9,T-4.Radical prostectomy,two years hormone treatments,44 radiation treatments.Current PSA .03-as it's been since the radiation treatments and hormone shots ceased.The survival rate is getting better and better.I am soon to be 68.The hormones will give you hot flashes,the radiation will make you a bit tired but I had mine on my lunch hour and survived.Best of luck-I'll keep you in my prayers,as so many did for me. You will be fine,if it gets a little scarey find others who have gone through it and talk-it really helps.

Q: Brachytherapy for prostate cancer?
My brother, 65 yrs. has been diagnosed with prostate cancer. His PSA is 8.01. He had his staging and his bone and CT scan were negative and there is no evidence of metastatic disease. He is aware that if he goes through with surgery, he has the risks of incontinence, and erectile dysfunction. I'd like to know if anyone has been in a similar situation and if so what did you opt for, and any side effects, if any. Thank you very much.

A: I had prostate cancer in 2005 and had Proton Radiation for it at Loma Linda Universty Medical Center in Loma Lindal California. Proton Radiaiton is very different from conventional radiation in that Proton has little to no side effects and a 90%cure rate. I think it is by far the best type treatment available for prostate cancer today and why not 90% cure rate and no side effects.. There is a website called Proton Bob that tells alot about prostate cancer and proton radiation.. If you go to the website be sure and read the Patient Testimonial section from former proton patients.. we are all sold on it.. There is also a book just out called YOU CAN BEAT PROSTATE CANCER, written by Robert J. Marckini (a prostate cancer survivor). It is great. Any one with prostate problems should read it. It can be purchased at barnes and noble and several other book stores or it can be purchased on line at the Proton Bob website.. I was 63 when diagnosed and my psa was 8 with a gleason of 6 .. My psa is now.13 .. thats point one three.. I was never sick or felt bad one single day during or after my treatments.. It was like a 9 week vacation in southern california...and Im cured... If you have any questions about my experience with prostate cancer or proton radiation, please feel free to email me here on yahoo answers.. again .. I did alot of checking before I had my treatments and became convinced proton radiation was the best treatment and now that I have had the treatment.. I am totally convinced.. If you read the patient testimonials like I said you will see that any one who has had it will tell you the same.. Have a good day.. hope this helps.....Oh I have no incontinence and all my plumbing works just as before.. like I said ...no side effects.. one thing.. the reasont there are no side effects is that 90% of the treatment energy is released exactly at the point of the tumor...therefore surrounding tissue and organs are not damaged as in other type treatments...Its the best!!!!!

Q: How to decide, surgery versus radiation for prostate cancer, which has least side effects?
PSA 6.25 and cancer rated 7

A: Your Age, How fast the PSA got to 6.25 and other factors are involved. My PSA went from 1.5 to 4.5 in 6 months. Biops showed a Gleason of 4+4=8. I opted for surgery only because if they get it all quick it can't come back. Any other treatment is just that, treatment not removal. My PSA at 6 weeks PostOp was 0. Doctor said it has to stay 0 for 4 years to be considered cancer free. Side effects are different for each man. My surgery was in July 07 and last week I bowled a 283 game with a 707 set. Working full time, and only side effect is wondering what next? You can read a lot here: http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/ProstateCancerSupport/

Q: Prostate Cancer. If I have low PSA (5), and about to do radiation, should I take Zyflamend instead to see if?


A: have you had a biopsy to confirm cancer? my husband has zoladex injections every 3 months http://www.prostate-cancer.org.uk/forums/login.asp?target=default.asp these these people between us we know everything

Q: 5.02 PSA and family history of Prostate cancer?
Not even 60 and dealing with this. Statistics say 25-35% chance of positive? I dont have urination problems, back pain or anything like that..but there was a little blood in my urine( urine test) that has since cleared. Also just finished Lyme treatment. Anyone with similar experiences? Outcomes?

A: I'm female so I don't have any personal experience but I have looked up some information on this for you on different angles- the other possible causes for an elevated PSA and the Risk Factors for Prostate Cancer. This is definitely a question you need to bring up with your doctor though because they are the only ones who can tell you if it is or isn't something you should be concerned about. Hugs & Best Wishes! Gretchen PSA Evaluation Prostate-specific antigen (PSA), is an enzyme produced by the prostate gland. Normally, small amounts of PSA enter the bloodstream from the prostate. Larger amounts of PSA are enter the blood when the prostate gland is enlarged, infected, or diseased, such as with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), prostatitis, or prostate cancer. The level of PSA in the blood can be determined by a simple blood test. PSA blood test results are reported as nanograms per milliliter, or ng/ml. Normal levels usually range from 0 ng/ml to 4 ng/ml, although what is considered normal may vary with age and race. Mild to moderate increases in PSA -- between 4 and 10 -- are considered borderline, while levels over 10 are considered high. The higher the PSA, the more likely the presence of prostate cancer. **************************************************** Non-Cancerous Causes of an Elevated PSA What Else Can Cause an Elevated PSA Besides Prostate Cancer? Thousands of men each year are told that they have a high PSA level after undergoing a routine screening test. The most important and most concerning cause of an elevated PSA is prostate cancer. However, prostate cancer is only one of many potential causes of an elevated PSA. Virtually anything that irritates the prostate will cause the PSA to rise, at least temporarily. Six Non-Cancerous Causes of an Elevated PSA 1. Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) 2. Prostatitis 3. Prostate Biopsy 4. Recent Ejaculation 5. Digital Rectal Exam (DRE) 6. Bicycle Riding ************************************************************** Prostate Cancer Risk factors By Mayo Clinic staff Knowing the risk factors for prostate cancer can help you determine if and when you want to begin prostate cancer screening. The main risk factors include: * Age. After age 50, your chance of having prostate cancer increases. * Race or ethnicity. For reasons that aren't well understood, black men have a higher risk of developing and dying of prostate cancer. * Family history. If your father or brother has prostate cancer, your risk of the disease is greater than that of the average man. * Diet. A high-fat diet and obesity may increase your risk of prostate cancer. One theory is that fat increases production of the hormone testosterone, which may promote the development of prostate cancer cells. * High testosterone levels. Because testosterone naturally stimulates the growth of the prostate gland, men who use testosterone therapy are more likely to develop prostate cancer than are men who have lower levels of testosterone. Also, doctors are concerned that testosterone therapy might fuel the growth of prostate cancer that is already present. Long-term testosterone treatment also may cause prostate gland enlargement (benign prostatic hyperplasia).

Q: surgery for prostate cancer?
Brachytherapy or surgery. My brother, 65 yrs. has been diagnosed with prostate cancer. His PSA is 8.01. He had his staging and his bone and CT scan were negative and there is no evidence of metastatic disease. He is aware that if he goes through with surgery, he has the risks of incontinence, and erectile dysfunction. I'd like to know if anyone has been in a similar situation and if so what did you opt for, and any side effects, if any. Thank you very much.

A: I'm 68. I have only three more of 37 radiation treatments to go. My psa was originally 22 and dropped to 1.5 before radiation commenced. For me, radiation has been every day exept week-ends. I have not had any ill effects at all. Radiation is, I believe, far more preferable than surgery. I nderstand that the libido goes never to return. I regret that but the alternative ( 6" under) is not appealing, either. Most men by the time they turn 70 will have experienced some prostate problem Your brother is just on par. Assure him he has nothing to worry about. The radiation centre at the hospital where he will be treated is the best place in the world. The staff are really understanding and very encouraging. It does get a bit of a drag to present oneself at the hospital every day, but just think of it as his job. Treatment only is a total matter of some sconds, but it will take about ten minutes per time. It does not hurt. But he must lie still so as he does not move his body and that's when you become very conscious of hving an itchy nose or wanting to scratch your leg. But you get over that. Now, I'll have to wait for another five or six weeks until I have another psa test done to see how effective the treatment has been. Touch wood, I shall be just fine. So will your brother. Just tell him not to make his own diagnoses. There are specialists who can do that for him and are much better at it. They will give him the best care in the world. He will be quite oka and he should just be thankful that thanks to modern medical science, he has been diagnsed early enough to get the simplest possible treatment for cancer. Not only that, Prostate cancer is one of the cancers which responds very well to therapy. He has nothing to wrry about, but f he has not already done so, it s advisable for hm to make sre he sets his will in place. Best wishes.

Q: Once prostate cancer has spread to the bones and lymph nodes how long is life expectancy?
My father in law has had prostate cancer for 7 years and it has moved to the spine. He now has 12 tumors in the spine and it has spread to the lymph nodes. His psa was 60 last month and today it was 84. How bad is this and how long is the life expectancy after the cancer is in the lymph nodes? Chemotherapy is no longer working (hasn't worked for months) and all other treatments have failed. Now he is going to be given just pain meds. He is 74 and he has diabetes. Its in the lower lymph nodes only right now.

A: Life expectancy is very short; only a couple of months. My brother died of Lymphoma last year. I'm so sorry about your FIL. Let him know how much you love and appreciate him now. But be careful to make it seem like he has a death sentence hanging over his head, unless he has accepted his impending fate. My brother wouldn't accept that he was terminally ill until he took his last breath. He became very upset if we behaved like he was a dying man. Take care.

Q: If your PSA is the highes number within the normal parameters, does this mean anything?
My friends psa was something like 4.9 and his MD reccomended he get a re check in 1 year. He basically dribbles when he goes to the bathroom and only voids about 50 ml at a time. He is 54 yrs old and over weight. What affects the PSA other than prostate cancer. Could it be because he drinks way too much, or smokes. I think his peter is getting ready to pooper out.

A: The PSA numbers are very important as they could indicate a condition. In the past few years mine has went to a 2.2 to a 5.4; and that is over a period of about six years. At the 5.4 my urologist suggested a biopsy. Sure enough I had cancer on one side. out of twelve bi-ops taken on one showed positive for cancer. He had me on the "watchful waiting" at that time. Due to insurance I had to change urologist and after twelve months I went back and the PSA level was 4.9. However the cancer Had changed by the scale that they use. "Gleason Score". They can tell by that score if the cancer is likely to spread. At this time it is still localized. I will go back January 30th to see what he recommends, and I know what that will be. On the Gleason Score I went from a 3+3, to 3+4..He can tell, or I say he can tell if my cancer is likely to spread with those numbers. My friend had a 3+4 and he had his prostate removed. Even though I just went up 1 point that is significant. On another note I know this 80 year old guy that his PSA was a 10 and he was cancer free. See, you just can't go by numbers. PSA numbers is like a "red flag" to the doctors.

Q: I have a 60 year old with Stage IV Prostate Cancer diagnosed 4 years ago. What can I expect from now?
He is on 3 monthly hormone injections, MST and Oramorph for the pain, he has had Chemo and Radio Therapy and at last hospital appt, his consultant suggested maybe further Chemo. He does try to help out, however gets tired, breathless and sweaty very easily and he is very tearful. His PSA has risen to 65. What is his prognosis from here? Thank you very much for your help.

A: Unfortunately there is only one long term prognosis with out treatment. Your best bet is a clinical trial. You might be able to find one you'd be suited for here. http://www.cancerhelp.org.uk/trials/trials/selectsearch.asp.

Q: A PSA of 1.2 and a free PSA of 18% with normal DRE is it warrant of prostate cancer?
initial symptom that send us to the doctor was hematospermia

A: Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) is only one indication of prostate cancer. Usually the PSA is elevated (greater than 10) and a free PSA of 10% or less. Your results , combined with a "normal" DRE would tend to rule out Prostate cancer. In men over 40, hematospermia is rarely associated with cancer. (see second site below). What did your physician say?

Q: aching in scapular region and prostate cancer?
I have a history of prostate cancer, and received external beam radiation therapy followed by lupron injections concluded in 200l. My PSA was o.oo afterwards. It slowly increased One year ago it as 0.25. Recent PSA results are 0,56. I read somewhere that what is important is how long it takes to double. I have discomfort in my scapula region. May be arthritis or shoulx I be concerned.?

A: Go to an orthopedic physician and ask him about the shoulder problem and tell him about your cancer concerns also...The only thing shoulder related that I can think of is that if you have abdominal surgery it may be possible to maybe have an air pocket that goes upwards to the shoulder area when you stand up after a surgery? Something like that?

Q: I need info on prostate cancer recurrence.?
My father had prostate cancer 5 years ago, had his prostate removed. His PSA this year read 1.7 and he has been diagnosed with cancer again. The area where his prostate was has cancer, and possibly his bones. What are the typical morbidity rates for this situation. I have found nothing on the internet. He is having radiation treatment starting soon. Just looking for more info than I could find. Yes, I have done some research, and can't find much on it. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks for the responses so far. I lost my mother to lung cancer 5 years ago, so I'm very concerned about this new situation. I appreciate all of the responses. Wow, all of these answers have been extremely helpful. I found out yesterday that he has a Gleason Score of 7, if that sheds any additional light on the situation

A: Typically prostate cancers are slow growing and when it spreads the bones are the most common site. However, even with stage 4 disease this cancer can be managed well and it is not unusual to see men survive with prostate cancer for 15 years or more. PSA can detect recurrence sometimes years before it can be seen. You should really speak to his oncologist to get a better idea how all of this pertains to your dad as there are a lot of variables. His Gleason score determines aggressiveness as well as the time frame and numbers in the rise of his PSA, etc. etc., but the odds are he should do relatively well. EDIT: I forgot to mention. There is a prostate cancer vaccine that is expected to be on the market by February. I can’t remember the name of it, but it is from a company in New Jersey. It is very promising and has done very well in trials. You may want to keep your ears open and see if perhaps it may be of some help to your father.

Q: Side effects of Channel TURP - Metastatic Prostate Cancer?
My father is 65 and has metastatic prostate cancer. He's taking calutide and zoladex monthly. Due to obstruction in urination for long time, we got his channel TURP surgery done last month. The urine flow was good for about 20 days. After that he felt slight decrease in urine flow. One morning suddenly there was full urine obstruction and we rushed him to hospital and got catheter inserted. Doctor said that his prostate tissues have obstructed the urine channel in just one month which is rather unusual. My question is: - Can cancer tissues grow so fast in just 1 month after channel TURP? Every doctor mentioned it's a relief for atleast few years. - Catheter went inside with lot of difficulty and is not a permanent relief. Should we go for direct insertion of tube in urine bladder? His gleason grade is 9. PSA is under 4 but showed slight increase from 1.96 to 2.4 approx.

A: Please see the webpages for more details on Transurethral resection of the prostate. I am 69 years old and taking Alfuzosin hydrochloride (generic name) to shrink prostate gland. In some cases, TURP is not 100% successful and hence a second operation is done to remove the obstructive tissue.