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PSA Reading false or real

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Posted 6/28/2010 9:14 PM (GMT 0)
I am a 66 year old male with no family history of prostate cancer. 

Last several years my PSA has been steady 1.2-1.5 (no upward trend).  In May urologist through DRE determined one side of prostate was harder than the other so he felt that a biopsy should be performed 1 June 2010-- (a week or so before biopsy PSA was 1.4).  Biopsy was negative in all quadrants tested (12 sites were tested).  I have and have had BPH for the last couple of years.  Doctor ordered a PSA after the biopsy and this was completed last week 28 June 2010 with a reading of 4.6 (3 weeks after biopsy).  I have trouble comprehending this reading since there has never been a high reading in my history.  Could this reading be more of a false reading than a true reading.  Thanks...

Posted 6/28/2010 9:34 PM (GMT 0)
Someone more knowledgeable than me will chime in but the biopsy is a very invasive procedure for the prostate. Since doctors recommend waiting 4,6 or even 8 weeks to have a prostatectomy done after a biopsy and since having blood in the semen for 3 weeks afterwords is common, I would not be surprised if your PSA reading is still elevated because of the trauma to the prostate during the biopsy.

Let us know what you find out.

Dan
Posted 6/28/2010 9:38 PM (GMT 0)
First and foremost...Welcome to Healingwell.

I would agree with Dan on this. The prostate is inflammed and will be for several months. Any PSA test within six weeks of the biopsy will be misleading. It is also worth mentioning that BHP will also raise the psa levels in addition to any infection that may have occurred with the biopsy.

I would wait several more weeks or even the standard three months from biopsy to get another test. The good news is that the biopsy came back negative.

Again...welcome to Healingwell
Posted 6/28/2010 10:01 PM (GMT 0)
Dan & Les

Thanks for the info. I could not understand an increase in the PSA from 1.4 to 4.6 in such a short time. Especially since the last 3 years or so my PSA has been very steady despite BPH. I am looking to arm myself with information before the next Dr's appointment where he wants to discuss this "elevated psa". You info is valuable and helpful.

Thanks
Posted 6/28/2010 10:47 PM (GMT 0)
DOETH -
I agree with the postings above - when you have decided the wait is long enough to have another PSA - make sure you do not ( someone may correct me) have sex for 2-3 days before hand - this includes massterbation as well as inntercourse ( I can spell but the forum has a naughty word programme) - or another DRE....
-all the best

BRONSON


p.s. I googled - when to have a psa after a biopsy and found this site - regarding non-cancerous causes for high PSA -
prostatecancer.about.com/od/symptomsanddiagnosis/a/psacauses.htm

...
Posted 6/29/2010 12:08 AM (GMT 0)
I would think that psa should be back to normal levels 6 to 8 weeks after a biopsy. Any readings sooner than that are sure to be affected by the biopsy.
JT
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