psa 3 to 13 in one year!

There are other things that can cause this, but if you want my advice, get the biopsy.  GOOD LUCK!

...Yep'...I'd say it's time for a biopsy. Good luck and stay in touch..

Hi Bill,
I wished I woulda known you a year ago. I would have said do it then. But that's here nor there. My first PSA history showed drops in every test up to surgery. And I have advanced diease. Go figure. You need that biopsy. I Guess I need to throw out some good news too. I know, personally three people that have double digit PSA's and the biopsies were negative. If you are interested, my PSA history is on the front page of my blog until Sunday.

Tony

Get a biopsy. This is nothing to mess around with.  If it's not prostate cancer, wonderful.  If it is prostate cancer, you will probably catch it early enough for treatment to effect a cure.

Most prostate cancers are symptomless when still confined to the prostate.  You want to find it before it is outside the prostate, when it becomes more difficult to treat.   

Glad you're here.  This forum is a wonderful group of men and women who are supportive and knowledgeable about prostate cancer.

Take care and keep in touch...Tim

There is no doubt in my mind that you should have a biopsy.  Look at my signature regarding my uncle. 

Better to be safe than sorry 

Bill, Don't be alarmed, Don't be scared, Don't be in denial...Go have the biopsy, and then plan accordingly.. Things will work out...Di

Bill,

I was very much against doing a biopsy unless there really, really was a specific indicator that it should be done. It is an invasive process and sounds very uncomfortable. I started a thread titled "Just trying to get the straight facts" in which virtually everyone said to get the biopsy. Of course I had a shorter history and I needed to verify my PSA level again before I would agree to the biopsy. I did a lot of research and a lot of pushing back when people simply said "just get the biopsy because there is no other choice."

Well guess what I found out? They were basically right. There is no other choice if you want a true diagnosis. Now you have to decide that you are ready and need to take care of this. There is simply no other way to know what is going on. Personally, I opted for a high-density biopsy (42 samples instead of 12) or as it is sometimes called a saturation biopsy. I had my reasons and it made sense for me. Talk to your doctor about what would be best for you. The procedure I had was called a Stereotactic Transperineal Prostate Biopsy and is a procedure done under general anesthesia. This is not for everyone but with 42 samples and a 40 gram prostate, I had a higher comfort level with the test results.

Good luck and take care of this when you can.


Jim

Bill,
It is good to see that your biopsy only shows 1 core and that a gleason 6. Not to be Mr. negative, but sometimes these things can show more cancer than the biopsy once the pathology is done. But, it appears you have caught it early and this gives you great advantage in treatment choices.

One thing that I would question the Urologist on is your PSA numbers and the manner they have shot up and moved around. PSA 13 is high, and it sure got there fast. There may be other problems with the prostate that are causing the numbers to move, but the Urologist should know that based on the biopsy, and other exam info.

Be sure and do a lot of reading here and on the internet. It will guide you on all your decisions. God bless.

RB

Age 61
Original data - pre-operation
PSA: 5.1
T1C clinical diagnosis, Needle biopsy - 10 cores, Gleason 7 = 3+4 in 1 core (40%), 7 cores Gleason 6 = 3+3 ranging from 5% to 12%
All scans negative
Lupron administered 4/9/2008 for 4 months (with idea I would undergo external beam radiation followed by seed implants - then I changed my mind).
Robotic DiVinci surgery - Dr. Fagin (Austin) May 19th
Post operative - pathology
pT2c NX MX
Gleason 3+4
Margins - negative
Extraprostatic extension - negative
seminal vesicle invasion - uninvolved
1st Post PSA .04