psa in prostate cancer

psa in prostate cancer questions and answers

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Q: Prostate cancer stages?
I had slighly elevated PSA but no nodule detected (twice in 3 months) by Urologist. He suspected I had some sort of inflamation in the prostate and did not recommend biopsy because my free PSA is at 25%. He reassured me that if "I you had cancer, you are way ahead of the game". It is now almost a year and I will have to do the PSA again and I think it is still high since I have some chronic protatitis symptoms such as pelvic discomfort, lower back pain (on & off). If I had prostate cancer stage 1 when I first saw the Urologist (no nodule and a year ago), can it be a lot worse after a year? I am only 38 and so scared.

A: Like all cancers, there are 4 stages. Stage I: it has been found; Stage II: it can be felt; State III: it spreads to the glands or organs; Stage IV: it spreads to the lymph nodes.

Q: Prostate Cancer - Surgery or Chemo?
What would you do if you were diagnosed with Prostate Cancer? I am in early stages with a Gleason of 6 and PSA of 3.9 - 4.1.

A: With those Gleason and PSA results, you have a very good chance of cure with either a radical prostatectomy or radon seed placement. Chemotherapy is contraindicated.

Q: Prostate Cancer Question?
My dad was diagnosed with Prostate Cancer late July. He is serious denial and has not had surgery or taken any proactive measures against it. I am unsure of what stage he was diagnosed - the doctor who did his initial biopsy said early stage 2, the radiologist we consulted said Stage 1; however his PSA was high at 16.5. Anyways, when he went to another doctor, they said the PSA had jumped to over 26. Can anyone point me in a directioni to see what stage he's in or how long he may have? Thanks.

A: I recommend the book "100 Questions & Answers about Prostate Cancer" by Pamela Ellsworth, MD. It is available from amazon.com for $19.95 in paperback. It explains in easy to understand language many of the questions you have about your dad's diagnosis. To help answer your question; a high PSA level doesn't necessarily mean an agressive cancer is present. Prostate cancer is a very slow growing cancer. In most men the cancer can take decades to advance to a terminal stage. You said the pathologist staged the cancer at "2". This simply means the tumor is large enough to be felt during a rectal exam. It is an early stage cancer. A stage "1" cancer is one that cannot be felt, it is so small it only shows up in a biopsy. This is good news, there are many options at this stage for your dad. Many men choose to treat the cancer at this stage, and many men decide to "watch and wait" to see if the cancer shows signs of growing. This choice is valid if done in consultation with a Doctor. Prostate cancer grows so slowly that most men die of other causes before they show any symptoms from the disease. There is controversy about whether to treat early stage cancers with radiation or surgery or if "watchful waiting" is more beneficial to the quality of life for the patient. All treatments for prostate cancer carry the risks of impotence and/or incontinence, as well as a host of other risks. Sometimes the risks outweigh the benefits. Many factors influence the decision to treat the cancer aggressively or leave it alone. The most important factors to consider are the age at diagnosis, the general health of the patient, the stage and grade of the cancer (how aggressive it is) and whether it is contained within the prostate gland, or is thought to have spread to other parts of the body. Generally, the younger the patient, the better the outcome from early and aggressive treatment. Older patients usually don't tolerate surgery or radiation as well and have more difficulty with side-effects. If you have a copy of your dad's pathology report you can use the information to help determine what the best course of action is for him, taking into consideration his age, health, and quality of life concerns. I also recommend the following website to help guide you through understanding what the pathology report is really telling you. http://www.yananow.net Good luck with you research, it will really help your dad with his decision if you are informed about all his treatment options and the risks of going untreated.

Q: Is a 97.7% drop in PSA after hormone therapy unusual? What does it mean?
My father was diagnosed with prostate cancer about 6 months ago. His psa was 898. The cancer had spread up to his collar bone, spine and his lymph nodes were swollen. After two lupron shots, his psa is now 2.5. Our family is so excited! The doctor's office seemed pretty surprised at the major drop. Does that mean he may not have the cancer anymore? Also, is that big of a drop unusual? The doc's staff said they'd not seen that big a drop but the doc was very nonchalant about it.

A: GOOD! Lupron basically shuts down antigen production which is detected as part of the Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA). 2.5 is great. Thats normal! But it only means that the Postate is shrinking, AND not growing and not out of control anymore. The Doc was nonchalant because its no big deal and its great!

Q: I need help. am having reaction to lupron shot. what do I do?
I have prostate cancer PSA Oct. 26.07 not much hope probably spread. had lupron shot 12/13 dr. told us : no bad side effects male menopause, hot flashes some symptom related pain increase. have severe headaches, ringing in ears, extreme pain throughout body and joints, vision blurry-difficult to focus, dizzy, fever, chills, profuse sweating, light bothers me, all sound is loud and makes me mad, gritting my teeth, trembling, nauseous, and over all just feel like I'm not going to be here much longer. called dr. about side effects he denied any such phenomenon to occur. he sent me to psych ward courtesy of the police. what next? bad enough I am losing ground quickly. what he did was unethical.

A: Maybe you need another doctor with a little bedside manners. You may need something to calm you down quite a bit so things won't be so bad for you. Do you have a friend or relative to stay with while you're going through all this misery? You need someone. Make sure things are straight with you and God so you will go to heaven instead of hell. If you don't make peace you may not like where you go. Be kind to everyone so they will not mind helping you. It must be rough for you. God bless you real good.

Q: Proton Therapy Treatment?
My urologist told me the I have an early stage of prostate cancer (my PSA is 20, still waiting to find out my Gleason Score), and in discussing my options we talked about proton therapy. I have talked to a relative that had this treatment swears by it's effectiveness. Anyone out there undergone this procedure and care to discuss your experience? If given the chance to decide again on what option to take, would you do it again?

A: A young friend who went for PB for head cancer at Loma Linda told me that the place was full of relatively cheerful elderly men getting prostate treatment. PB doesn't make you as sick as other radiation, and it is targeted so you get a direct dose to the tumor without scatter.

Q: Help!!! Docs only please!!! How long left for him?
My father-in-law has prostate cancer and his psa is now 53. The doctors said the chemo is not working anymore and have just given him pain killers. He has 12 tumors in his spine and bone cancer. He gets bone infusions to keep the spine from cracking. He won't stop working, cannot drive, and now has sleep apnea too. He has fallen 3 times in the last month and couldn't get up. My question is how long (estimate) does he have left now? Will he just go in his sleep or is this going to be a long road of suffering? The only reason I state that he still works is to show he has a strong will is to survive.

A: As a doctor, we advise that patients and relatives that they will have 6 months to live. It is just a poor estimate and depends on the individual,his genetics and his will to live. Medical professionals are not GODS and cant really determine when someone will die, all we can do is estimate. Some defy the odds and some dont. I think you should focus on his quality of life and make him as comfortable as possible while maintaining his dignity as an elder and do not treat him as a child/invalid. Remember he is not dead yet, do not miss him or disrespect him. Even though he may be dying, he is still a human being who needs love, attention, food etc Sorry to hear about his condition.

Q: PSA question?
PSA is used to follow the progression of prostate cancer, yet it is also elevated in BPH. When a PSA is ordered as a screening test and comes back elevated, is it more likely to be from prostate cancer or BPH?

A: Now that's the kind of question I expect from a top contributor! Yes, PSA is elevated in both conditions, along with prostatits. It's actually not the PSA level that we are worried about, it more of the rate of change of PSA. When PSA is elevated, it must be correlated with the physical findings. If you find a multi-nodular prostate that is soft, then it is most likely from BPH. If you feel a prostate with a large hard "bump," then prostate cancer is likely and you would need a TURNP (sp) or biopsy to distinguish the difference. In 80%+ of the cases, it is most likely BPH.

Q: Is brachytherapy good for a PC patient at the age of 82?
My dad was diagonalized prostate cancer with a gleason score of 8 and psa at 40. His doctor suggested him to have a brachytherapy. Although he is healthy in general, he is an 82 years old man. I worry that the side effect will be too much for him. Since his cancer is considered as high-risk, radiation therapy may not be effective. If anyone can provide information or opinion, I really appreciate it. Please mention your gleason score and psa before treatment if you are willing to.

A: I had brachy therapy last year. I am 62. There were very little side effects. The whole procedure took one hour. In 48 hours I was back at work. I think the brachy therapy is the least invasive way to treat PC. I am glad that I chose brachy. Six months after the seeds, my psa went to 2.4.

Q: How do we convince insurance company to approve treatment they denied?
I am looking for help from anyone that has had to battle the insurance companies in order to get the treatment they DESERVE.My Father (56) has been diagnosed with prostate cancer that has metastasized to his hip bones. His original PSA was 184. He started hormone therapy in February and with hormone therapy it has dropped to 60 and then 26.6, and hopefully lower; but haven't gotten the latest results yet. His Gleason score is 9 (5+4). His biopsies showed that the prostate had undifferentiated carcinoma (meaning that the cancer was solid all the way through).He has started seeing Dr's at City of Hope and has signed up for a clinical trial using hormone therapy and Helical Tomo Therapy. The Helical Tomo Therapy is looking like it is going to be his best opportunity to fight this cancer. This type of radiation spirals around the entire tumor and "hits" it from hundreds of different angles as it travels around. Blue Cross Blue Shield has denied the treatment, how do we fight this??? They said it is just too expensive. That is their only reason. The clinical trial part of it is that is is hormone therapy combined with this Helical Tomo Therapy and the treatment last for 32 or 36 weeks (I don't remember exactly). He receives the hormone therapy for only that many weeks. At the point when his PSA level reaches the lowest the begin the radiation. At the end of the trial he comes off of the hormone therapy and they watch him to see if his PSA rises again. This type of radiation is the standard that they use for prostate cancer at City of Hope. I just found out that they will treat the prostate cancer with it, just NOT where it has metastasized to the bone. I just wanted to say thanks to everyone for all of the info and ideas. Panda, thank you so much! sound like you know from first hand experience. I cannot believe some of the decisions they are allowed to make about other people's lives and family members!

A: My son has a very rare abdmoninal sarcoma that does not follow any known protocol. Because of this he is frequently denied benefits including a treatment we feel may have saved his life. What we did, and what you need to do is file for an appeal. Continuously. Even though my son was a stage IV with no known 'cure' available, the insurance company would deny the benefit based on being 'medically unnecessary'. At first we were just too horrified not to react emotionally, but we soon learned that if we talked calmly to enough people that eventually they would approve the benefit based on 'compassionate need'. We did need to go through two appeals for one denial. One thing you need to do is ask specifically for an expert in your fathers type of cancer to review the treatment plan. We asked that our insurance company provide us with the reviewers name and credentials too. Once we had someone review the case who understood what we were up against his benefits were paid. Another option is to contact your states insurance bureau to register a complaint. And, you should also put a call into your local and state representatives (the last thing they want is bad publicity). Turn to a lawyer only as a last resort. It is best to just try and reason with the insurance people first. You might also check to see if your father can have a 'case worker' help you manage his insurance (the company provides a case worker who can help guide you through some of the process - although they can't determine benefits). Don't give up. Keep after the insurance company, especially if you feel they should cover this expense. Get your fathers medical team to back you on this, have them write or talk to your Dads insurance provider. It's a lot of work sometimes and we're still at it. It helps to keep a notebook and write everything down too, any correspondence, who you talk to, and the dates. I keep a huge notebook and keep all insurance and billings in plastic sleeves arranged by date. Works really well. Good luck. I know what its like, just keep cool and go after what you deserve.

Q: Re occurring Urinary track symptoms?
Hi doctors out there Hi I have re occuring UTI infections ( about 2 per year) I am a 26 year old male and find this a little odd. I had an ultra sound late last year which yielded no abnormalities. However at times I get some, but not all of the UTI saymptoms. Usually antibiotics clear it up in 3 days, howevere my most recent infection has lasted well over a week. Therefore the doctor wishes to run a PSA test for prostate cancer. On this occasions symptoms began with tightness in the lower absomen as they always do, however rather than rue my past efforts to treat the UTI early I ws prescribed amoxil.I took these for a week which did not do anything apart from make me ill. I returned to the doctor who then perscribed Keflex, which again has had minimal effect. I have noticed now I have the accompanying annoyance of experiencing a full baldder but not being able to empty it. The doctor feels it may be one of the following three things Prostiitus Benighn Prostate Enlargement Prostate Cancer. I have read the stats on prostate cancer but feel a little anxious. Advice please

A: did the dr ever put you on bactrim DS for the UTI's. this is the best med for this unless you're allergic. i'm wondering if you are getting the frequent infections from sexual contact or not emptying your bladder when you need to and holding your urine for long periods of time. increase your fluids to keep your bladder and kidneys flushed out. try drinking cranberry juice to change the PH of your urine so the bacteria won't grow as well and use the bathroom when you first feel the urge to go. don't hold it. use protection when having sex. more than likely you have prostatitis from the frequent UTI's. get the PSA done to rule out BPH though.

Q: How high can your psa go?
How high does ones psa go before they die? My father in law just found out his has prostate cancer and he's refusing any kind of treatment. He was at 4 a couple years ago, and now he's a 5 or 6. He goes in monday to see how much longer he has to live. I just found out that he goes in monday for the biopsy. Either he is being misinformed or my husband is. We'll see If it is cancer, he chooses not to get radiation or chemo because he doesn't have any place to stay (he travels in his camper, no house) nor does he want anyone to take care of him while he goes through the sickness of radiation or chemo. He's stubborn

A: To answer your question your psa can go up into the 100s hovever that is not good.. I had prostate cancer in 2005 and had Proton Radiation in Loma Linda California at Loma Linda Universitity Medical Center.. It is the best treatment there is today I think.. It has a 90% cure rate and little to no side effects.. I was not sick one single day during or after my treatments.. It was like I was on a 10 week vacation and Im cured.. It would be great for your father in law...as matter of fact when I was there having my treatments there were 3-4 guys just like him there.. They were there alone in their RVs...and why not your not sick if you take Proton treatments.. you feel great.. the treatment only takes a few minutes each day.. I had mine in the mornings and had the rest of the day off.. There is an RV park near by.. but one guy I knew found a place to park his within walking distance of the hospital.. but there is a nice RV park about 5 miles away.. Back to Prostate Cancer.. there is a website called PROTON BOB that you can go to that tells all about prostate cancer ...it also tells all about proton radiation .. If you go there be sure and read the Patient Testimonail Section.. It is great .. you will find that any one who has had Prostate cancer and had proton radiation to treat it is as sold on it as I am.. and why not it has a 90% cure rate and no side effects.... It was a no brainer decision for me when I found out about it.... its like i was never sick and am cured and had a real nice vacation in california... my psa is now .13 thats point one three and going lower.. Also there is a new book out written by Robert J. Marckini a prostate cancer survivor called YOU CAN BEAT PROSTATE CANCER.. It is great .. it tells all about prostate cancer and then tells about each of the type treatments available today and then gives the pros and cons and side effects of each type of treatment. any one with prostate cancer should read it....especially before deciding on a treatment type... The book can be purchased at Barnes and Noble, other book stores or on line at the Proton Bob website.....I hope this helps.. From the way you have described your father in law.. it would be great for him(proton radiaton).. plus in my opinion it is the very best treatment there is for prostate cancer.....If he can travel to Calif .. however the treatment is now available in other places .. like MD Anderson in Houston.. the Proton Bob website gives the other locations.... If you have any other questions concerning my experience with prostate cancer or proton radiation, please feel free to email me here a yahoo answers.. sorta in a hurry and not going to check my spelling or grammer..hope you can make out what I am trying to say.. Have a great day and I hope you father in law does good..

Q: Had 4 LHRH Injections since July. Have erections , dry orgasms. PSA now 0.09. At end,Testosterone, Fertility?
For my locally advanced prostate cancer (T3), in July 2007 I had Casodex (28 days), then LHRH agonist Injections in August, September, December; March 2008. More injections arranged (3 monthly). My Hormonal Radiotherapy finished 31 December 2007. My PSA has dropped from 16.7 ug/L (July 2007) to 0.09 (May2008). My libido is lower but I have erections and dry orgasms. I understand I should naturally regain my testosterone when finished with LHRH. Also fertility?

A: Why are you asking a bunch of yahoo people, full of opinions with no medical knowledge. Talk to your doctor!

Q: The Democrats now are entering a new battleground or so it would seem....?
They are politicizing cancer: Females out number the Males by almost 2 - 1...some areas of the country are even greater in the ratio.... The new Cancer guidelines say: Women don't get screened and don't self check,Wait until you are 50. However when it comes to Men - they have reversed the screening to Men should be checked at 40 for prostrate cancer....whereas before they were told to wait until they were 50... Prostate Cancer Health Center..PSA Screening Guidelines Stir Debate American Urological Association Calls for PSA Screening at Age 40 to Help Detect Prostate Cancer http://www.webmd.com/prostate-cancer/news/20090427/psa-screening-guidelines-stir-debate ." The Society's previous guideline recommended that all men age 50 and over receive annual DRE and PSA. So is this a new war in the battle of the sexes? Men have always had better health care then women in this country, majority of the research has been done on men's health care issues...not women's in my humble opinion. Why should anyone listen to these bureaucrats? If and when Health-care passed, and I pray it does not, things are going to get a whole lot worse for the women of this country.... unintended consequences can kill. Males are encouraged to seek early detection.... Females are told to wait to seek detection...they are told do not do self examinations...they are told to wait until they are 50 or older to seek the knowledge of whtether they have cancer of the cervix or the breast... Men are encouraged to check for PSA cancer of the prosrate with all due haste at the age of 40....

A: Wow, the article you put up has nothing to do with with this sex battle you are talking about. The debate which is illustrated in the article you supplied relates to a recommendation on PSA screening and is in no way compromising cancer treatment done on women's behalf. How you tie this all to some sort of women's issues is beyond me. As part of your question, you site that "men have always had better health care then women in this country, and that the majority of the research has been done on men's health care issues...not women's in my humble opinion." Well it is your opinion unless you can supply some evidence to the contrary. I simply haven't the time to look up and research your "claim." It is up to you to convince folks of that. You haven't done that here.

Q: Is this good or bad? Please answer?
My grandpa has prostate cancer. He did a radiation back in 2005, and his PSA number was 50. The prostate cancer hit him on back in April of 2009. Today, he did another radiation, and his PSA number was still the same. Is this good or bad? The prostate cancer has also spread to his upper body, but the doctor says he can't cure it, but he can treat it

A: The fact his PSA has remained stable for years is good. It can often pick up progression of the disease years before it is evident.