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Posted 4/25/2017 1:58 PM (GMT 0)
I am 57 years old and have been monitoring my PSA since 2008. The numbers have ranged from 5.0 to 12.5, up and down each time I'm tested. I have an extensive family history of prostate cancer on both sides of the family. I have had three biopsies and three MRI's over the past several years, all have been negative, except for the last MRI, done last Tuesday. This current MRI showed a lesion on my prostate, which was rated on a scale of 1-5, mine being a 3. My prostate is 100cc in size. I am scheduled for a biopsy on 5/17, targeting the lesion area, as well as the rest of the prostate. Has anyone had any similar issues or any thoughts on this.
Posted 4/25/2017 2:32 PM (GMT 0)
Welcome to HW.

It will be interesting to see what the biopsy returns. The standard biopsy is a bit random and often misses PC. If you got a target, that's better.

and generally, PSA doesn't bounce up and down for PC. The normally pattern would be constant rises in PSA. Prostatitis can act like that. At this point, you've got a mystery that hopefully the biopsy will resolve.

Keep us updated on you progress,
Andrew
Posted 4/25/2017 2:43 PM (GMT 0)
Paul, It sounds like your MRI found a lesion that was scored as PIRADS 3. That is indeterminate for cancer, and about the lowest level that doctors will follow up on. A PIRADS 3 lesion could be anything, from hemorrhage, scar tissue, HGPIN, ASAP, benign , or cancer in some amount. Right now, you should not be too worried. If a small amount of low grade cancer is found, you probably won't need to take any action besides monitoring it. Keep us informed. Good luck.
Posted 4/25/2017 3:46 PM (GMT 0)
Your prostate is about 3-4X normal size. Your urologist should be on a hunt as to why this is. Your PSA is high, but your oversized prostate explains at least a part of that. I'm surprised you haven't mentioned any common symptoms...like frequent (or urgency of) urination, trouble starting a stream of pee, or feeling like your bladder does not completely empty. There's multiple possible causes of enlarged prostate—one possible cancerous cause, and multiple possible benign (non-cancerous) causes. The causes often may be happening concurrently. At age 57, you should know that >50% of men your age are walking around with some minor form of prostate cancer, but most have not and will not run into the set of circumstances which you have now encountered which are leading you to having a prostate biopsy. Don't freak-out of your prostate biopsy comes back with a small amount of PC...it's quite normal, and most versions of PC don't even need any treatment at all. Don't make the mistake that many men make and over-react & rush into an aggressive, irreversible treatment that they don't need (often at the careful urging of their urologist, who is also a surgeon). Good luck on your education journey!
Posted 4/25/2017 4:57 PM (GMT 0)
I take a diuretic, so it's hard to say if my frequent urgency to urinate is because of the pills or because of the enlarged prostate. I assume it's because of both. I do have most of the symptoms that you've mentioned.
Thank you for the info, I appreciate anything anyone has to offer. I'm still trying to learn all I can about this. Thank you again and hope to get more feedback.
Posted 4/25/2017 5:50 PM (GMT 0)
Are you taking Proscar or Avodart for your enlarged prostate? If so, what has your PSA pattern been since you started taking it?
Posted 4/25/2017 7:35 PM (GMT 0)
I just started taking Avodart today, so I can't answer that as of yet.
Posted 4/25/2017 8:06 PM (GMT 0)
I took a diuretic for many years, it will cause frequency.

Andrew
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