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Posted 10/17/2016 2:31 PM (GMT 0)
Hi
I had a tur 23 mounts ago was told no cancer was found.my go gives me a blood test every 3 mounts,not just for PSA but other things,my PSA went from 3.2 to 4 8 went to a urologist ( not a great person ) was put on 30 days of antibiotic now my gp has done another blood test PSA 4.2 am waiting & watching.
I did fire my urologist he was demeaning,arrogant,full of himself I'm 75 I think he thought this old nam vet was going to take it,sorry just venting.
Thank you in advance for any feed back
I have a question if my turp showed no cancer I would think this is a good sign or am I wishful thinking

Post Edited (Angelostreet) : 10/17/2016 9:33:12 AM (GMT-6)

Posted 10/17/2016 2:52 PM (GMT 0)
I can't stand dealing with people who are full of themselves. Good move!

From what you wrote, things sound good. No cancer found. Had a bit of prostate infection treated with antibiotic, but still a reasonably good PSA (age-adjusted PSA, in particular). Low-levels of prostate cancer are a natural part of aging (which means that you probably do have some), but most men have it, they never know they have it, and it never bothers them. You've got no symptoms, right?

How's the rest of your health? Any heart disease, chest pain or angina? Were you a smoker? Cholesterol good? No diabetes?

The reason for asking is that the professional medical societies are recommending stopping PSA testing for men who reach 75 without having any prior prostate cancer issues. Of course, most doctors will then temper that statement with a comment that if you are a freak that is going to live to 100, maybe you should have a few more tests during your physicals...otherwise, stop the test.

Here's a really thorough Life Expectancy estimator tool for men who have not been treated for any prostate cancer. It was created at the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.

Click here: /webcore.mskcc.org/survey/surveyform.aspx?&preview=true&excelsurveylistid=4
Posted 10/17/2016 2:59 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you for the come back no I have a fairly good medical history
I have a little high colestrol and 3 years age had c- diff from that my gull bladder was removed and of course my trup was done
as for the urologist I have no words I would put on here to dis robe him
Posted 10/17/2016 3:09 PM (GMT 0)
Move on from him...there are other urologist's out there.


I though I could also help by being more specific about the "age-adjusted PSA" values.

Today, many doctors will just use the single value of 4.0 ng/mL as a cut-off from "normal." But we know that prostates continue to grow as we age and put out more PSA into our blood, so there should be a "sliding scale" of what is normal.

The doctors at Harvard have studied this and have proposed this age-adjusted scale (which is relevant for both younger and older men):

    Age group/Proposed normal PSA range

    40 – 49 . . . . 0 –2.5 ng/mL

    50 – 59 . . . . 0 – 3.5 ng/mL

    60 – 69 . . . . 0 – 4.5 ng/mL

    70 –79 . . . . 0 – 6.5 ng/mL


You can look this up yourself here: www.health.harvard.edu/newsletter_article/PSA-Prostate-Specific-Antigen-Persisting-Scientific-Ambiguities



The part I didn't mention--I guess I thought it was obvious, but perhaps should mention anyhow--about stopping PSA testing at age 75 is that because prostate cancer is such a typically slow-moving disease, the evidence shows that if you haven't had an issue before age 75, for the vast majority of men it's not going to cause them any problem if they simply stop looking for it. In fact, they really encourage men to stop looking for it at that age...because once you find it (and it's going to be easier to find as you get up there in age) you get yourself on a "slippery slope" of having a high expectation to aggressively treat it, even if aggressive treatment is necessary. See what I mean?
Posted 10/17/2016 3:13 PM (GMT 0)
Yes and this urologist did just that also he never completed his testing I found a new one
Posted 10/17/2016 3:28 PM (GMT 0)
Angelostreet, by the way, you can go back to your first post in this thread, hit the little yellow pencil symbol in the upper right-hand corner of that post to EDIT, and then add a Subject to your thread, which is a good practice to be descriptive in order for others to read your thread.

best wishes
Posted 10/17/2016 3:31 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks
Posted 10/17/2016 3:48 PM (GMT 0)
I wish my doc would have known this.
It's what I've fumed about for awhile. 4.0 at 49

"The doctors at Harvard have studied this and have proposed this age-adjusted scale (which is relevant for both younger and older men):

Age group/Proposed normal PSA range

40 – 49 . . . . 0 –2.5 ng/mL

50 – 59 . . . . 0 – 3.5 ng/mL"
Posted 10/17/2016 5:07 PM (GMT 0)
Angelostreet-

The tissue they remove during a TURP is not from a part of the prostate that usually shows cancer. A biopsy will take tissue from the peripheral zone, which is the more common site of cancer.

How long ago was the TURP? Do you have good urine flow now, or are you having incomplete emptying, starting and stopping of the urine stream? Are you taking Proscar or Avodart for your enlarged prostate?
Posted 10/17/2016 5:20 PM (GMT 0)
I did nor realize that the turp would not show up cancer so thanks for that info
I have no problems going or emptying I'm not on any drugs for my prostite
Posted 10/17/2016 5:42 PM (GMT 0)

Angelostreet said...
I did nor realize that the turp would not show up cancer so thanks for that info
I have no problems going or emptying I'm not on any drugs for my prostite


It's not that a TURP will not find PC...it's just that the TURP only takes prostate sections from the transitional zone, which is around the uretha...and PC can often occur in other areas of the prostate.

As I indicated earlier, at age 75, you probably DO have prostate cancer (actually, the probability is about 75% chance, based solely on your age)...it just hasn't been discovered and has not (apparently) caused you any problems. A rule of thumb is that if you look hard enough, you will likely find PC.

Were you having problems emptying prior to your TURP?
Posted 10/17/2016 5:46 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for clarifying that about turp.
Yes I had c- diff and was in the hospital for almost 2 weeks in that time they put a folly in me,it was another 5 weeks before I had the trup and after the turp I had this hose in me for another 2 weeks.
Short answer yes.
Posted 10/17/2016 7:18 PM (GMT 0)
Well, you can try taking Proscar or Avodart for a few months to see what that does to your PSA. Another option is a blood test called PHI that is more specific for prostate cancer. Your urologist can order it from the AccuReference Lab (link below). You can provide him with the link and ask him about it. It is covered by Medicare.

/www.accureference.com/phi/
Posted 10/18/2016 11:02 AM (GMT 0)
I had a dear friend whose PSA went way high when he was 85. He got a biopsy and it showed "moderately aggressive" cancer so he got brachytherapy at age 87. After a rough couple of years, he was back to chasing women and hiking with me until his death (NOT of PCa) at age 94.

Active surveillance is ONE of many coping strategies, completely ignoring the issue altogether is always an option. We call that "denial" sometimes too. Just saying.....
Posted 10/18/2016 11:39 AM (GMT 0)
Had to commit on the bad urologist and importance of PSA testing. First, it is critical To have doctors that you can work with. Second, sometimes having extra PSA tests can save your life.

First the urologist. I have a rare form of prostate cancer that went undetected even with 18 years of digital exams and eight years of PSA testing. When the cancer finally showed itself the first urologist I went to was a hack. Very painful biopsy procedure. When it was done he left without a word. After about ten minutes being left by myself I had to use the examination sheet and paper towels to take care of all the blood from my rectum then run to a restroom. Told the hospital about what happened. Will never see that quack again.

My older brother, who thought he was superman, finally decided based on what happened to me, wthat he was human and went for a physical. His PSA was 11 and the digital exam showed enlarged prostate. They treated it with antibiotics and his PSA went down to 4. He has a good urologist who demanded he get PSA be tested along with a digital exam every three months. His last PSA test came in at 9 and the digital exam showed even more enlargement but still smooth. The urologist does not think the doubling in three onths is a matter of infection. He is scheduled for a biopsy next week.

It is the luck of the draw the my cancer remained hidden until it was advanced. However, agressive PSA and digital testing may of found my brothers cancer (if it is cancer) while it is still early.
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