psa level dropped from last 2 readings

I am debating whether i should have a Biopsy? My first reading 3 years ago was 5.49 last one last week was 5.93 so in 3 years gone up half of 1 point! although it did rise to 6.1 inbetween that time. I am scheduled for a Biopsy, only because i guess the last few had gone up slightly, but now with the last one that dropped, and i am wondering if i should just wait? and keep testing? I am 53.

I would have it done. Better safe than sorry. Hopefully it will come back clean, then you can put it out of your mind.

david

Mine bounced around in that range for a couple of years, before making a rise to above 9. In retrospect, I wish I had my (second) biopsy a year or two earlier. I'm also in my early 50s.

Not to say that your situation will be the same, but I'd strongly consider a biopsy.

Before you have the biopsy, be sure your medical insurance coverage is where you want it....Should the biopsy come back positive, that puts you in a whole different place insurance-wise..

Hi,

ChrisR made a good point regarding your age. In your early 50s, anything over around 4.0 is considered to be high. Do you have any problems with urination? If so, it could be from BPH (benign enlargement of the prostate as we age) and nothing to worry about.

But the only way to find out for sure is with a biopsy because, as with my case, I had BPH AND prostate cancer. Be sure you are going with a VERY experienced urologist so the biopsy has a better chance of detecting any tumor(s) that might be there.

Even with your PSA being somewhat elevated, it would probably mean you would have an early stage, curable situation if they do detect PC.

Good luck,
Chuck

Resident of Highland, Indiana just outside of Chicago, IL.
July 2011 local PSA lab reading 6.41 (from 4.1 in 2009). Mayo Clinic PSA Sept. 2011 was 5.7.
Local urologist DRE revealed significant BPH, but no lumps.
PCa Dx Aug. 2011 at age of 61.
Biopsy revealed adenocarcinoma in 3 of 20 cores (one 5%, two 20%). T2C.
Gleason score 3+3=6.
CT of abdomen, bone scan both negative.
DaVinci prostatectomy 11/1/11 at Mayo Clinic (Rochester, MN), nerve sparing, age 62.
My surgeon was Dr. Matthew Tollefson, who I highly recommend.
Final pathology shows tumor confined to prostate.
5 lymph nodes, seminal vesicles, extraprostatic soft tissue all negative.
1.0 x 0.6 x 0.6 cm mass involving right posterior inferior,
right posterior apex & left mid posterior prostate.
Right posterior apex margin involved by tumor over a 0.2 cm length, doctor says this is insignificant.
Prostate 98.3 grams, tumor 2 grams. Prostate size 5.0 x 4.7 x 4.5 cm.
Catheter out in 7 days. No incontinence, occasional minor dripping.
Post-op exams 2/13/12, 9/10/12, PSA <0.1.
Semi-firm erections now happening 14 months post-op & slowly getting a bit stronger.

  it is not illegal to go get fPsa test (less than 25% is worrisome, less than 15% is almost a guarantee of PCa of some amount). Urine test PCa3 and other similar tests are considered worthy if not getting biopsies up front. Have you heard of these tests?