bedamed,
Ed's absolutely correct. You said your PSA was through the roof, but that doesn't mean you have prostate cancer. In fact, somewhere around 60-70% of men with high PSA test result do not end up finding prostate cancer (PC) in subsequent biopsies.
Maybe you and your doctor have already gone further than just the PSA result, but you hadn't indicated that in your initial posting.
Anyhow, it sounds like you are just learning about
PSA and possible PC. We can give share more info & experiences with you if you can share a little more of your history. For example, was this your first PSA test? If not, what were the dates and results of other recent tests? (The pattern of PSA rise may be relevant.) Any other testing? DRE? Any antibiotics for prostate infection (which is a more common cause of elevated PSA)?
Prostate cancer isn't verified in anyone until a biopsy is performed and is found to contain cancerous cells? Have you had a biopsy? My hunch is not, because you otherwise would have probably posted with your "Gleason score" (which is the scale for reporting prostate cancer bioipsy results). If you haven't had the biopsy yet, please recognize that it is not always an automatic "next step."
Let's hear back from you a little more info. Everyone's background, results, etc are different. Doesn't make much sense for us to guess at your info; but we'd be glad to help share experiences once your case is more clear.
best wishes...
Post Edited (Casey59) : 3/19/2010 10:05:01 AM (GMT-6)