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Posted 12/7/2015 12:36 PM (GMT 0)
Hi all,

My father has been suffering from high grade (G9) PCa for about 18 months so I'm not new to this.

But my husband recently had a PSA test and the result was 6.something (he's unsure of exact number). Was repeated six weeks later and came back about the same. Then had a DRE which the GP said showed a "rough patch". Was referred for hospital tests and has had MRI this morning (last image with contrast dye). Scheduled for TRUS biopsy next Monday and outpatient appt on Xmas eve for results. He's 62. He's a bit doctor phobic so don't think he's had regular PSAs done (he's not very forthcoming) although claims one a few years ago was around 2.5. I've insisted that I go with him to the results appt. Am I right to be worried?

Thx Kate
Posted 12/7/2015 1:23 PM (GMT 0)
Kate,

Please be concerned.......not worried. He is on the correct track to determine why his PSA is elevated. If it is cancer, then you both will deal with it, hopefully in a very positive way.

It is very healthy to be concerned and take appropriate actions. Worry is unhealthy and wears you down. Work with the people on the forum and your doctors to do good research and move from worry to healthy concern.

Btw, how is your father doing?
Posted 12/7/2015 1:36 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you for your reply. My dad is doing OK. His initial PSA was 27 and went right down to 0.9 after his first six months on HT. It's creeping back up and is around 2.5 now but he's otherwise well and active for an 82 yo. He dances twice a week. He has sciatica which causes pain (somewhat controlled by pain tablets) and we're unsure if it's connected to his PCa. He had PNI on the worst side of his Prostate (one side was 95% cancer, other side 35%). He was refused any other treatments and tests other than bone scan which was negative at dx.
Posted 12/7/2015 3:00 PM (GMT 0)
Welcome to HW, sorry you need to be here.

A concern for your husband is justified, but not a huge worry. The DRE result is concerning and getting a biopsy sounds like the right thing to do. He won't like the procedure but there are worse things.

Even if the worst is true there are plenty of treatments and every hope of a positive outcome. It won't be fun getting the treatments and sounds like you might have to be a little pushy with him to get him to take care of it.

For your father, if he just stays on the HT, that's really the best.

Hang in there and keep us updated on your progress,
Andrew
Posted 12/7/2015 4:33 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Kate...its rough to have to deal with this, but be assured the chances are very high that if your husband is diagnosed with Pca, it will be caught early and will be treatable so as to effect a long life for him.
Posted 12/7/2015 4:53 PM (GMT 0)
I forgot to mention that I did suggest maybe 6 months ago that he have a PSA test as I'd noticed he needed to urinate more at night and it would take a while, in particular it seemed to not be a continuous stream. He's also had some difficulty in the bedroom department, struggling to ejaculate.

However he didn't have the PSA test at that time, this was done "by accident" by an agency nurse who was running tests for his gout.
Posted 12/7/2015 4:56 PM (GMT 0)
Just adding my welcome and repeating some of the thoughts here. I think it's smart that you're moving forward, but it's way premature to worry. First off, let's hope he doesn't even have PC (a definite possibility based on a lot of stories around here), but keep in mind that even if he does, your dad's case is an outlier--most PC is caught early and is very treatable.

Good luck and do keep us posted. So sorry this corresponds with the holidays for you!
Posted 12/7/2015 4:58 PM (GMT 0)
There are any number of things that can cause that kind of problem. Infection, enlarged prostate, age and of course PC. Generally PC doesn't cause symptoms, but with a DRE where the doctor felt something, more testing is in order. There is still a good possibility that his problems are related to cancer. That's what the biopsy will show.

Hang in there, waiting for tests is difficult,
Andrew
Posted 12/7/2015 10:03 PM (GMT 0)
Katie, I presume you're 'on the other side of the pond' from most of us. There are some great PC facilities in the UK, and with a father in treatment, you've got some good leads for where to connect.

When you get the results, please come back and share them with us. Between us, we can answer many of your questions and help make sense of the information.
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