Differing dr recommendations

Morning, all--I met with a urologist yesterday after getting the following PSA pattern: 7/13 3.57, 8/14 4.06, 3/15 5.57.  The last result may have been skewed a bit by ejaculation within 24 hours.  My father had PC, treated with Lupron, and died at 88 of other causes.  I am 58.  DRE yesterday was clean.  Turns out the doctor was looking at an erroneous PSA data summary and thought that total rise was over 12 months instead of 20.  He recommended a biopsy, and I'm to speak with him today about data correction.  No suggestion of more refined PSA tests.  I contacted another urologist later in the day, explained PSA velocity correctly, and he recommended waiting 6-8 weeks for another PSA before moving to biopsy.  I'd appreciate any thoughts.

JockMT -- Let me add my Welcome to HW.

I agree with InTheShop that you should repeat the PSA. Talk to your doc about going on a round of antibiotics prior to the PSA test to rule out prostatitis (a condition where the prostate becomes inflamed due to an infection). Also abstain from sex for the 48 hours prior to the blood draw. Your PSA rise could also be caused by Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH); an enlargement of the prostate.

Good luck and keep us posted -- Tigerfan

I think it is a good idea to eliminate all likely confounding sources of PSA before biopsy.

When you talk to your Uro, ask him how large he estimates your prostate to be. If an enlarged prostate (BPH) seems to explain your elevated PSA, then you can take a medicine to reduce your prostate size. I think BPH is a more likely explanation than prostatitis, but given your family history, PCa is possible too.

The Prostate Health Index (PHI) is a better test than PSA alone or % free PSA. Here's a link:

Prostate Health Index (PHI)

- Allen

I'd suggest a follow-up PSA in 3 months before doing a biopsy.