Lower 40s with PSA > 4

Sounds good to me and keep us posted if things change. Glad you had the biopsy and that all is improving.

Michael

By all means, have one of the "expert" pathology labs take a second look at your biopsy slides..

In my second biopsy, in one of the 12 samples, there were a few "atypical" cells..My U-doc told me those were usually cancer precursors and we needed to watch things closely. He wanted to do a third biopsy right away, but I did not share his enthusiasm..Six months later, my PSA had jumped from 5.6 to 7.0.. I couldn't get that third biopsy fast enough...

Hopefully, the pathologist at Mayo will have good news for you..But if he doesn't, another option is getting a two or four core sample FROM THE AREA THAT HAS BEEN IDENTIFIED AS SUSPICIOUS.. No need to do the entire prostate this time.. The 12 cores they took are carefully mapped. They know exactly where the atypical core came from...That's basically how they found mine.

The secret to success with PC is finding and treating it early. Now is not the time to get shy and go hide for 10 years hoping it will go away by itself...Then you get a PSA history that looks like mine...

Hello all here is an update on my situation.

The Mayo pathology report came back and there was a finding in one core "focal of high-grade PIN with ASAP", apparently less that 5%. The pathologist said from both a qualitative and quantitative perspective said he was reluctant to unequivocally classify this as cancer due to my age. He said close followup with repeat biopsy at a later date if clinically indicated was best approach and that he put risk of identifying cancer on next biopsy at 50%.

Fast forward three months to my next PSA test (last week) and the results that were given today. I'm now at a 6.75 which means that since April of this year I have risen by almost 3. points. 3.78 (4/10) 4.86 (6/10) 4.4 (7/10) 6.75 (10/10). What is strange is that the symptoms that drove me to seek medical attention in the first place are basically gone. I no longer have major urgency issues or pain and have a decent stream. I attribute this to drinking a lot more water and starting to exercise. My doctor doesn't feel this PSA jump is consistent with pc as the numbers are growing so quickly and there were not significant findings in terms of the number of cores that were suspect. The plan right now is to do another PSA in 3 months and if it hasn't gone down at all repeat the biopsy.

The doctor I'm seeing seems fine and I do not have an issue with the approach he is taking but I'd still like to get another opinion. If anyone knows of doctors in the Chicago area that I could consult with I'd appreciate the input. Ideally they'd have experience with someone younger such as myself.

Thanks.

Tiv:

Why is it not consistent with PC? If it bounced way up and then way down, I would agree. But I'm not a doctor.

Maybe others can chime in.

'

Mel

clocknut - thanks for the offer but Lake County would be a bit far to go. I'm sure your doctor is very good and well liked but I'd probably start with something either closer (western suburbs) or downtown first.

tivmod1 - I know this is probably a dumb/obvious question, but you aren't doing any sexual activity within a couple days of your PSA tests, are you?
Also, have they checked your urine for UTI's? Although I see you were on antibiotics before anyway..

This is the first time I read this thread. Interesting to hear how some docs are reluctant to do testing. I thought in the US that as long as you had insurance, they'd give you any test you wanted!
I'm in Canada, and luckily have a very good GP. Due to my father's gleason 10 PCa, she started testing my PSA to get a baseline (I'm 37). She also gave me a re-usable requisition, meaning I can go have it tested as often as I'd like. I plan to every 6 - 12 months.
Hope everything works out for you.

gibson00 - Regarding sexual activity - You may be on to something here. I had PSA drawn on a Monday morning but was with wife Saturday night late so while in my head that sounds like two days in reality it was likely 36 hours. Perhaps that along with the recent biopsy has exaggerated things. I'll have to keep my sex drive in check for the next test.

Medved - Thanks for that link. I will look into Dr Catalona.

My advice would be to get another biopsy, and have them hit the area that was suspicious similair to what they did for purgatory. Biopsies are not an exact science. My biopsy showed cancer on my right side and nothing on my left side. After surgery post path had more cancer on my left then my right. Doc aid very fortunater the needles hit it on the right side during the biopsy.

I am not a doctor but I wouldn't wait for another PSA. in my opinion.

Good Luck.