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Posted 1/21/2009 7:34 AM (GMT 0)
Hi,

My boyfriend is 47 and had a PSA of 12 in November. Now it's a 10. He's generally thin but has put on a "winter coat". He was getting up many times a night to urinate and had difficulty. A couple of weeks ago his PSA was 10 and now he only gets up once or twice to urinate and has no problem with the flow. He has a doctor appointment in two weeks, but I'm impatient and wondering if anyone here can tell me whether the improvement in his symptoms in any indicator of not having cancer. Any feedback will be appreciated-thanks for reading. Best wishes to you all.

Dana

Posted 1/21/2009 7:44 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Dana,
I too wear a winter coat...That was funny!

There are non-cancerous causes for elevated PSA's. Including: Prostititis, BPH, and infection. A PSA swing from 12 to ten would not eliminate any of these nor cancer. And a drop of two points would likely not cause changes urinary tract function. But think the positive of it. I would look into family history, however. If prostate cancer is in his family, I would let the doctor know.

Welcome to HealingWell. There will be many posting to you, and they are all great people.

Peace.

Tony
Posted 1/21/2009 1:29 PM (GMT 0)
Hello Dana, and welcome here. Those PSA numbers alone wouldn't tell the story, though a reason to be concerned. Has he had a DRE (Digital Rectal Exam) yet? Ultimately, and if his doctor thought it warranted it, a Prostate Biopsy might be ordered to rule out cancer at this point. I certainly hope that isn't the case, as there are other reasons for the PSA level that would be totally non-cancerous. The important thing, is that he is being checked, early diagnosis is one of the most important things in Prostate Cancer. Keep us posted.

David in SC
Posted 1/21/2009 1:50 PM (GMT 0)

Thank you for your replies-I really appreciate the support! I thought the problems with urinating in prostate cancer is caused by a tumor pressing on the urethra. So if regular flow resumed, wouldn't that mean there was no tumor there? I'll be going to the doctor with him in a couple weeks for further testing and will send him here if the news isn't good.

Dana

Posted 1/21/2009 2:21 PM (GMT 0)
Dana, without proper testing at this point, too much that can be speculated upon. I understand your fear and worry for your boyfriend. Without the testing, no sure way to prove or disprove. Please stay around here, and if in the worse case it is ultimately PC, then this is the best place to be on the net for support and care. Lot of fine people here, men and women, that can help you two deal easier with whatever is down the road. All my best to you.

David in SC
Posted 1/21/2009 2:57 PM (GMT 0)
Dana,

Continuing what David says: on one hand, an enlarged prostate with no cancer can impede flow. On the other hand, it is possible to have a small amount of cancer inside a small prostate which does not impede flow. You don't know without doing more tests, like a biopsy. (By the way, the small prostate with cancer--that was me.)

DJ
Posted 1/21/2009 3:02 PM (GMT 0)
p.s. Just in case he does some here and find out I discussed his PSA and urination issues in a public forum, please allow me to state for the record he is very well-equipped and fantastic in bed ;-)

Thanks again for being so caring and helpful in welcoming me here.

Dana
Posted 1/21/2009 3:47 PM (GMT 0)
a public forum but you're just a voice in the crowd and a user name on the screen so your privacy is assured, until such time as you want to divulge more... turn
Posted 1/21/2009 3:53 PM (GMT 0)
Sorry to keep harping on this, I know I need to chill and wait for the doctor appointment, but two weeks seems like a long time away. Could someone please explain how a urine flow problem could be intermittent? Can a tumor that impedes the flow just flare up intermittently? It just seems counterintuitive that if cancer was causing a blockage it could just go away on it own.

Dana

Posted 1/21/2009 3:59 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Dana,

I'll try to not repeat all of the good advice you have been given so far.
You really need to just wait until the exam with the Urologist. PSA alone is not determinate for PC and many cases of PC occur with no symptoms, I was one of these. In the meantime a good reference is Guide to Surviving Prostate Cancer by Patrick Wash, it discusses both PC and benign isses completely and in a very understandable manner.

Best wishes. Scott
Posted 1/21/2009 4:02 PM (GMT 0)
Dana, I will make a stab at part of what you just asked. If there were a tumor large enough to cause blockage or slowdown, then I doubt it would ever go away on it's own, as a tumor is a physical thing with physical dimensions. But I am not a doctor.

The book that was reccomended was the first thing I bought when they were suspicious of me having PC, I read it cover to cover a long time before I ever had my official dx.
Posted 1/21/2009 4:41 PM (GMT 0)
Dana, I think your boyfriend is lucky to have you in such a caring mode. It is a difficult wait to see the doctor. Try to get him and yourself thinking of other fun things. ..get dressed up and go out for a nice dinner...and have loving sex... Good luck......Diane
Posted 1/21/2009 5:21 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Dana,  the PSA is an indication that something is wrong but it is not always cancer, I was just talking to someone this week and they had a psa higher than mine but the biopsy was negative.  The PSA and the finger test are good tests but the biopsy is the only for sure method!

Posted 1/21/2009 11:07 PM (GMT 0)

Dana,

Have the doctor give your boyfriend a "free PSA test" and also a PSA3 urine test. Both of these tests can indicate if the PSA is coming from an enlarged prostate or prostate cancer. The result of these test will indicate weather a biopsy is nesssary. Good luck.

JohnT

Posted 1/22/2009 3:36 AM (GMT 0)
DanaA
I hope that there is another answer than PCa. All of us here know that this next piece of advice is impossible but try to be calm as you work through the tests and appointments. If it is PCa, there will be plenty of time to concern yourself. For now keep yourselves busy to keep your mind on other things.
Tim
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