Does PSA of 209 mean cancer?

Onthgodiy,

There will be some very knowledgeable responses coming shortly. Until then, my thoughts, 209 PSA is NOT a good number. PSA by itself is not a determination of cancer. What it says is that something "abnormal" is going on in the prostate (infection and/or disease/cancer).

Only a comprehensive biopsy can determine a cancer condition exists. I strongly recommend taking a biopsy. You can go under to take a biopsy, instead of grabbing the table and take the pokes of joy.

In any case, do what you have to do to find out what is going on. Your life "could" depend on it.
_______________________________________________________________________________

SEP 2017: PSA 3.8
NOV 2016: PSA 3.7, Biopsy (12) cores Benign/Negative
JUL 2016: Bone Scan (NEGATIVE)
APR 2016: PSA 3.7

OCTOBER 2015 (Dx)
Age: 59
PSA: 3.0 elevated to 3.5 in (6) months
3T-MRI: (1) lesion identified
Fusion Biopsy Results: Lesion cores benign, addtional (12) cores = (1)5%
Pathology Summary: Grade Group 1 (G6:3+3), 2nd pathology verification
Clinical Stage: T1c

PCa Treatment: "Active Surveillance" + "Home Natural Cancer Treatment"
Risk: Undetected Cancer Progression
Risk Likelihood: LOW

My Story: https://www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=35&m=3528051

My urologist initially felt that I may have an infection but after two bouts of ciproflaxin and a PSA increase he ordered a biopsy which subsequently confirmed cancer. I had baseline PSA testing and so it's clear to see how fast my PSA rose but you do not so the best thing you can do is get the biopsy and go from there.

That's a very high PSA. But a PSA is not necessarily cancer. However, at a value that high you should get a biopsy to know for sure. My biopsy was painless and had no side effects.

If you want an intermediate step, arrange a parametric MRI scan, which can provide strong evidence of the need for a biopsy.
I went MRI then was admitted for a 28 needle grid biopsy (ie: transperineal not bowel). That provided a good map for the surgeon (in my case).

Post Edited (shudderingThud) : 1/22/2018 7:34:13 PM (GMT-7)

Get the biopsy. Very likely at your age and with PSA that high, there is cancer. You need to get clarity. If there is cancer, it won't go away or get better by waiting; it will only get worse and more difficult to treat. The biopsy is the only way to confirm cancer.

As to what you read about biopsies being inclusive, about half are negative, meaning they did not find cancer. That doesn't mean there wasn't cancer, just that it wasn't found. The biopsy samples less than 1% of the prostate due to the very small needles used. Most that are negative findings are in lower risk men where the urologist didn't do more to rule out other causes of elevated PSA before doing a biopsy. Sometimes, like with JohnT, the cancer is in an area the biopsy can't reach and other testing methods are utilized. But, all biopsies are conclusive based on what is sampled.

With your PSA level and age a biopsy is very clearly indicated.

Andrew's advice:
you've got something, admit it.
stop stressing
get the biopsy to find out what it is.
decide on a treatment for it.
get it done.

and listen to everything TA says.

Thanks to all responses. I decided to have the biopsy, and it was a piece of cake. Antibiotics before, during & after prevented any infections. It was so painless I never even took an aspirin. I would just call it discomfort. And virtually no blood afterwards. Results were 9 of 12 needle biopsies were found to be high grade cancer, 8 of those 9 had a Gleason of 8, and the last one was 7. Over the next few days, I will be scheduled for a full body CT scan and a full skeletal bone scan to determine how far the cancer has spread. Then my doctor will discuss treatment options. BTW, earlier I said I had not had PSA done in ten years, actually it was more like 5 to 6 years and the last one I had was 10. So, my PSA almost doubled each year for 5 years to get to 209 now. It's good to be getting clear answers. There is so much conflicting information out there. My doctor has earned my trust and I'm hanging in there.

I'm sorry to hear of your diagnosis. However, now that you have it, I'm glad you're moving forward with appropriate tests that should help in your ultimate treatment decision.

Gleason 8 is a high risk diagnosis. This forum has many members who have received the same diagnosis as you. They have a wealth of anecdotal information, and a willingness to share with fellow prostate cancer patients. Please feel free to check in here for whatever you think you need.

Good luck!

Sorry to hear about your diagnosis. I must say, you have a wonderfully positive attitude which is great.

I second what Tall Allen said, early start of taxotere or Zytiga seems to be the current best practice for cases like yours. My father (G9) has just started Zytiga and we noticed a positive change in him physically pretty rapidly. I only wish he'd started it earlier! There are many options for you so keep hold of that positive attitude.

Good luck to you. Please keep us updated as to how you're getting on. X

Very best of luck to you Onthgodly. We are all hoping for the best for you.
Kind regards, Jaybee

I live in Hendersonville, NC (part of the larger metro area of Asheville, NC). I am using Asheville Urological Associates, Dr. Michael Burris.

Got my CT scan & Bone scan results today, and it was bad. Advanced Metastatic Cancer. Cancer found in my hips, my ribs and lymph nodes in my groin, legs and up into my back. My Urologist is referring me to an oncologist, but says the only treatment that will work for me is aggressive chemo with hormones. He's talking 2 years, maybe 3 1/2 with the treatments. To gain a year or so in exchange for 6 months of totally debilitating chemo doesn't sound like a very good trade. I'm ready for 2nd opinion. Can anybody recommend a good oncologist in the Western NC area, or within a state or so?