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Posted 11/17/2009 3:48 PM (GMT 0)
Curious about what others think about my situation.

I'm 47 years old.
No known history of prostate cancer in my family.
No prostate infection or enlargement.
My PSA levels have been:

4.24 (December 2008)
3.42 (January 2009)
2.90 (November 2009)

In Feb of 2009 I had a 12 needle biopsy, and they didn't find an anything.
Doctors say they aren't concerned, but have ordered a MRI to check the anterior side of the prostate.
Should I be concerned?
Thanks

Post Edited (Nestor) : 11/17/2009 8:53:20 AM (GMT-7)

Posted 11/17/2009 4:24 PM (GMT 0)
Nestor,

Welcome to HW, hope you don't end up meeting our member requirements, rather you never have to deal with PC. Do your doctors give any explanation of your reverse and declining PSA numbers? Are you taking any medications or OTC supplements or vitamins that could be doing a trick on yoru numbers. Your 4.24 reading would have sent most men to a urologist and probably for the biopsy for sure.

Can't say I can think of another case like yours, but everyone is so different. The MRI probably wouldn't be able to pick up anything PC related, but it sounds like a good next step for your doctor.

Please keep us posted closely.

David in SC
Posted 11/17/2009 5:24 PM (GMT 0)
Is this another case of Prostatectomy Via Biopsy???

We've seen a couple of other cases where a biopsy shows cancer but later pathology showed none.

Could be that the old needles got the buggers and now you are OK.

(Yes the idea is a bit whimsical, but some Docs will bring it up when they have no other explanation for a PCa disappearing after a biopsy).

Ask your doctor. He'll either say it is NUTS or maybe he'll agree it was possible.

(Dang, the only problem with P Via B is that your PSA was already going down even before the BIOPSY ...)
Posted 11/17/2009 5:30 PM (GMT 0)

Your Q:  “Should I be concerned?”

 

My A:  I think you should be “educated.”  You are on the high side of the mean (average) for your age, which places you at a higher statistical probability of joining the group at some point in time, so I say the best patient is an educated, empowered patient.

 

If in the future you are diagnosed, there are some excellent books I could recommend, but for now I recommend this free, downloadable document from the American Urological Association called the “Prostate Specific Antigen Best Practice Statement:  2009 Update.” 

 

Access it at:

http://www.auanet.org/content/guidelines-and-quality-care/clinical-guidelines/main-reports/psa09.pdf

 

For where it sounds like you are right now, this will quadruple your knowledge and understanding.  One step at a time.

Posted 11/17/2009 5:33 PM (GMT 0)
No Jim....his biopsy found nothing.  Nestor, have you significantly changed your diet?

Posted 11/17/2009 6:23 PM (GMT 0)
There is a natural thing called PSA leakage in which the prostate leaks more than the standard amount of psa. It usually levels off after a number of years.
An MRIS cannot see the interior of the prostate and is only effective in looking at the peripheral zone or the bed, A Color Doppler ultra sound is better at detecting transition zone tumors as is an MRIS with a Telsa 3 MRI. Most institutions only use a Telsa 1.5 MRI. PC normally manifests itself with a steady rise in psa over time as the tumor grows at a very steady rate doubling according to it's agresssiveness. Intermittent rises and falls in psa are usually not associatied with PC, but with outher causes such as BPH, psa leak, and infection.
JohnT
Posted 11/18/2009 1:36 AM (GMT 0)
Good info John as usual I must add, like your posts and information and think you are doing alot of good herein for others, looking at unique patients or protocols gives further evidence of many roads to travel in PCa, not just a few.

Little interesting study by Terry Herbert years ago, did daily psa tests and monitored them(30 days) and charted them. It is an interesting education to show that psa levels can change not only daily, but he also had taken tests on the same day for fun, also. The levels are usually not stabil and do move up and down and sometimes way more than you would believe, I mean significantly, he may have that info on www.yananow.net somewhere. So you psa levels even fluctuate alot, so this is why you need psa testings to compare, to see trends and velocity and especially looking for doubling times. Per Dr. Strum and others doubling times in 6-12 months are red flag area, meaning further investigation and tests should be warranted, doesn't mean you for sure have PCa (atleast not yet).
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