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PSA Spike, again, 3 more points in 3 months

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Posted 6/16/2015 1:59 AM (GMT 0)
Just had my PSA checked after skipping 3 years.
It increased 2.1 ng/ml each year, from 1.3 to 7.8
The total number and velocity bought me a ticket to see a urologist.
I'm only 46, but dad has it bad, his dad died from it, as well as three uncles.
I guess I've almost been waiting for this day.
Sad.

Caleb
Age: 47
9/30/15: 2nd visit with urologist scheduled
9/26/15: PSA 10.71
6/22/15: Biopsy, 12 cores, negative
6/17/15: negative test for UTI, DRE
6/10/15 : PSA 7.83
8/2012 : PSA 1.30
10/2010: PSA 1.82
11/2009: PSA 1.85
10/2008: PSA 2.41

Post Edited (Jeeper4x4) : 9/26/2015 7:53:25 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 6/16/2015 2:38 AM (GMT 0)
Welcome Jeeper, you have come to the right place for support and information. I'm sorry to hear of the PSA increase. After biopsy you'll know what you're dealing with. Fingers crossed it's a false alarm and maybe an infection of some kind. The wonderful guys here will be chiming in soon.~Miki
Posted 6/16/2015 3:06 AM (GMT 0)
Welcome to HW, sorry you need to be here.

Keep us updated on your progress. Even though you've got a family history, you've still got plenty of hope that you've caught it early.

Hang in there,
Andrew
Posted 6/16/2015 6:00 AM (GMT 0)
Welcome to HW. Sorry you have to deal with this at such a young age. Hope your biopsy is as painless as possible and you get good news.
Beth n Gary
Posted 6/16/2015 12:10 PM (GMT 0)
Sorry Caleb
Maybe its is and maybe it isn't. Rising PSA does not always = cancer. Get the biopsy, see what is going on and make the decisions you need. This is a great board with lots of helpful and knowledgeable folks that are here to support you.

Ask for some tranquilizers for the biopsy, it will make the experience better

Best of luck

Pat
Posted 6/16/2015 12:18 PM (GMT 0)
Caleb, welcome to Healingwell. Sorry for your troubles. Let's hope it's a false alarm, despite your family history.
There is a lot of great support here from guys who've gone through it, both educational and emotional.

So hang with us until you get the biopsy done and results back. Hopefully, for now at least, you are just passing through
Posted 6/16/2015 1:16 PM (GMT 0)
Caleb,

Welcome, sorry that you have to be here, but lucky that you found us. The I formation that can be gained from the wealth of information is simply short of amazing! Wishing you the best in your journey and hoping for good results from the biopsy.
Posted 6/16/2015 2:41 PM (GMT 0)
Sounds like you're on top of it so they should be able to treat it successfully.

Tom
Posted 6/16/2015 11:27 PM (GMT 0)
Might want to rule out other possible reasons for PSA rise prior to rushing into a biopsy. They are not risk free.
Posted 6/17/2015 11:28 PM (GMT 0)
I met with my new urologist today for the first time.
Practicing for 28 years in urology.
I'm not experiencing any flow problems or obvious signs.
Took urine sample / ruled out any UTI, no issues.
Endured the DRE / ruled out enlargement of the prostate, no issues.
And no sign of hardness on the palpable side of the gland.
Biopsy with ultrasound scheduled for Monday 6/22.
Planning to take 12 cores, six per side.
Taking antibiotic the night before and morning of procedure.
Doc applies numbing gel to the area prior to core sampling.
More to come. Thanks for the support and advice.
___________________________________________________

Caleb
Age: 46
6/22/15: Biopsy scheduled, 12 cores to be taken
6/17/15: negative test for UTI, DRE
6/10/15 : PSA 7.83
8/2012 : PSA 1.30
10/2010: PSA 1.82
11/2009: PSA 1.85
10/2008: PSA 2.41

Post Edited (Jeeper4x4) : 6/17/2015 5:37:26 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 6/18/2015 10:20 PM (GMT 0)
Caleb,

Wishing you good news on your biopsy, just relax...it hurts but not too bad, hang in there and keep us posted, all the best.
Posted 6/18/2015 10:40 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Caleb,
Welcome to HW forum,
You will find here is a fine place to get advices from the elite & experience members
Glad to got an experience uro attending to your case.
All the best to your coming biopsy.
Posted 6/19/2015 12:52 AM (GMT 0)
Jeeper, the worst part of the biopsy for me was the antibiotic shot in the butt cheek. Be prepared to pee blood for a couple of weeks or longer. Then, in a week or so, you'll know. Once you get the answer from the biopsy, bring the results in here, and we'll try to answer your questions...and help you off the ledge.

Have you read the sticky threads at the top?
Posted 7/2/2015 7:52 PM (GMT 0)
The TRUS biopsy went well. Uncomfortable, but not painful. The urologist took 12 cores ... 6 from each side. The result shows "focal atrophy" on both sides of the gland but no cancerous cells. However, due to my high PSA value as well as the rate of velocity increase, as well as family history, I'm headed back to the clinic in 90 days. They will repeat the PSA in late September, and very likely a different method of biopsy (transparineal) in order to get at the anterior side of the gland. Doc is especially concerned due to so much PC in my family. More to come at the end of September. For now, more anxious waiting. Thanks to all.
Posted 9/27/2015 1:32 AM (GMT 0)
Per instruction of my urologist 90 days ago, I just had bloodwork performed again.
My PSA increased 3 points in 3 months.
From 7.83 to 10.71
I see the urologist on Wednesday 9/30.
He is planning to perform the PSA3 test, looking for the genetic marker.
Meanwhile, my dad just had his first injection of Xofigo Ra223 for his PC-turned-bone-met.
It would seem as though I'm about to win the prize for 3rd generation prostate surgery.
More to come.

Caleb
Age: 47
9/30/15: 2nd visit with urologist scheduled
9/26/15: PSA 10.71
6/22/15: Biopsy, 12 cores, negative
6/17/15: negative test for UTI, DRE
6/10/15 : PSA 7.83
8/2012 : PSA 1.30
10/2010: PSA 1.82
11/2009: PSA 1.85
10/2008: PSA 2.41
Posted 9/27/2015 7:02 AM (GMT 0)
I think a transperineal mapping biopsy is a good idea in your case - better than mpMRI targeted biopsy. You didn't mention whether you're African American, but if so, there's a higher rate of anterior tumors. In addition to PCA3, there's a blood test called PHI, but I think the transperineal biopsy obviates the need for that.

Xofigo is great stuff- I hope it works well for your Dad.

- Allen
Posted 10/16/2015 5:27 PM (GMT 0)
So I had a saturation biopsy (71) cores taken on 10/13/15.
My PSA count just prior to biopsy was 10.7 from being at 7.8 only 3 months ago.
My urologist called this morning to say that the only thing they can find in the 71 cores is ASAP ...
Atypical Small Acinar Proliferation
When I read the description of ASAP, it ain't exactly good ... this article actually makes it sound bad ...
http://prostatecancerinfolink.net/diagnosis/asap/
Since I'm in the high risk category with both father and grandfather having PCA, it sounds bad to me.
Urologist says come back in 90 days with another PSA lab test.
Has anybody else been told the doc found ASAP that did not turn out to be PCA ???
How much faith do I put in the pathologist reading the cell structure???

Caleb
Age: 47
10/13/15 Saturation biopsy, 71 cores
9/30/15: 2nd visit with urologist scheduled
9/26/15: PSA 10.71
6/22/15: Biopsy, 12 cores, negative
6/17/15: negative test for UTI, DRE
6/10/15 : PSA 7.83
8/2012 : PSA 1.30
10/2010: PSA 1.82
11/2009: PSA 1.85
10/2008: PSA 2.41
Posted 10/16/2015 7:14 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Jeeper

Not sure where you are located but in answer to your last question about Pathologist, I'm pretty sure the sort answer will be "not that much" if it's just a regular multi-disciplinary pathologist... You need to get your biopsy slides read by Dr Epstein at Hopkins or Bostwick Laboratories. These folks specialize in this and can give you a more accurate read and greater confidence.

Paul
Posted 10/16/2015 7:28 PM (GMT 0)
You need a second read on those samples with Epstein.

Something doesn't sound right.

Andrew
Posted 10/17/2015 5:05 PM (GMT 0)
Your PSA spike could be an after effect from the first biopsy. I've seen my PSA triple after one biopsy and double after another, and, it stayed that way for up to six months. That's probably not common, but it has happened to me. Just went back down without any meds, given enough time.
Posted 10/24/2015 7:53 PM (GMT 0)
Get yourself a 3T MRI with an endo rectal coil to see if there is a tumor present somewhere. Most insurance will pay if you have a failed biopsy but rising psa. I had 2 negative biopsies before getting the MRI and am sorry I did not do it sooner. Check out the major university / research hospitals

Teddy
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