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A tumor, a jacked up PSA but no cancer.

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Posted 6/11/2017 4:01 AM (GMT 0)
To follow up on my other thread, I’m 73, a nodule was found during a routine DRE and a subsequent PSA read 4.7. A biopsy came back negative.

How common is it that you can have two red flags and no malignancy?
Posted 6/11/2017 4:42 AM (GMT 0)
Yeah, happens. Not all red flags lead to bad stuff.

I don't know the stats on it, but yeah, possible.

Andrew
Posted 6/11/2017 5:17 AM (GMT 0)

logoslidat said...
who told you , you had a tumor...who told you 4.7 was high for a 73 year old man...Sorry Tee Emm...there will be no hanging tonite..." go home to your wife and children...there will be no hanging to night "...or in the rest of your natural life...go...play...enjoy your life....Im not much for happy talk, but you will have others soon enough...who will basically say the same thing in their own unique style...but welcome...stay for the evening ...or a season... or more... lotsa knowledge here...also a veritable kaleidoscope of men and women....a regular rainbow connection....' it ain't easy being green '.

.em ot esnes tcefrep edam dias uoy gnihtyrevE

.sknahT
Posted 6/11/2017 12:35 PM (GMT 0)

InTheShop said...
Yeah, happens. Not all red flags lead to bad stuff.
I don't know the stats on it, but yeah, possible.

I'm not necessarily looking for stats, just a general sense of it from an exceedingly knowledgeable group.

I ask because there is still, after all this time, so much written about the legitimacy or accuracy of PSA testing AND so many folks here push the second opinion button, I just wondered at the commonality, or reality, of the two alerts being pretty much nothing at all.

Hope you follow me.

Post Edited (Tee Emm) : 6/11/2017 6:51:51 AM (GMT-6)

Posted 6/11/2017 2:02 PM (GMT 0)
TM, keep in mind that the biopsy samples a tiny tiny fraction of the entire prostate. And there are parts of the Prostate that cannot be reached with traditional biopsy. So it's quite possible to get a false negative. That was what likely happened to me. Slow rise in PSA, negative biopsy, PSA continued to trend slowly higher, then 2 years later positive biopsy. Dr said it was likely there on my first biopsy but missed.

It could also be that something other than cmcer is going on.
Posted 6/11/2017 2:16 PM (GMT 0)
It's not uncommon for there to be one or more red flags, and then a biopsy finds no cancer. Don't know if there are statistics available, but I have read that result on forums many times.

If I were you, and wanted more assurance, I would request an mp-MRI that would provide images of any suspected areas of the prostate. If any were found, then you could have a targeted biopsy on those spots.

Also, start requesting the PHI blood test, rather than psa alone. PHI includes psa, free psa, a marker for prostate cancer, and an algorithm to predict the likelihood of prostate cancer. It is more accurate than psa, and less sensitive to prostate inflammation.
Posted 6/11/2017 4:24 PM (GMT 0)

Pratoman said...
TM, keep in mind that the biopsy samples a tiny tiny fraction of the entire prostate. And there are parts of the Prostate that cannot be reached with traditional biopsy. So it's quite possible to get a false negative.
It could also be that something other than cmcer is going on.


Thank you Pratoman, that is exactly what I was thinking and why I asked the question.

ASAdvocate said...
If I were you, and wanted more assurance, I would request an mp-MRI that would provide images of any suspected areas of the prostate. If any were found, then you could have a targeted biopsy on those spots.

Another PSA is scheduled for 6 months and he said an MRI could follow if there is a change.

ASAdvocate said...
Also, start requesting the PHI blood test, rather than psa alone. PHI includes psa, free psa, a marker for prostate cancer, and an algorithm...

More new language for me to learn, thanks.
Posted 6/11/2017 5:46 PM (GMT 0)
There are cysts, calcifications, pockets of inflammation, benign tumors, clots, and more that may be detected on a DRE, an ultrasound, or an MRI. PSA is a lousy indicator. Only about a third of biopsies are positive.
Posted 6/12/2017 4:01 AM (GMT 0)

Tall Allen said...
There are cysts, calcifications, pockets of inflammation, benign tumors, clots, and more that may be detected on a DRE, an ultrasound, or an MRI. PSA is a lousy indicator. Only about a third of biopsies are positive.

Pretty solid words there, Allen. Of course we do tend to like the words we want to hear, right?

Thanks.

Tim.
Posted 6/15/2017 12:03 AM (GMT 0)
Pratoman and ASAdvocate…

I have thick skin but do want to thank you for your calm, reasoned support and you both know what I am talking about.

To everyone else...
Trust me, this is THE place to be.

Tim.
Posted 6/16/2017 1:42 AM (GMT 0)
👍
Posted 12/1/2017 11:06 PM (GMT 0)
Just a quick update and another thank you to Pratoman and ASAdvocate and Tall Allen for the previous grounded comments.

You will recall, back in June I reported;
Age 73, DRE nodule, PSA 4.7, negative biopsy with a retest in 6 months.
That would be today and the PSA is 2.5.

I have a URO appointment in 2 weeks and I'm guessing he will just want me to keep up the PSA testing.

I won't get cocky about it and in fact am humbled by the experience and thankful for this place.

Thank you again for your help and I hope we don't chat again.
Tim.
Posted 12/2/2017 1:14 AM (GMT 0)
Glad your PSA went down. lol@I hope we don't chat again.
Posted 12/2/2017 1:14 AM (GMT 0)
Tim

Glad your PSA has reduced. Some clarity may help you. First, at your age PSA of 4.7 is not jacked up. Normal for you can be in the 6-6.5 range. Second, a nodule is not always a tumor and a tumor is not always cancer. A nodule is something distinctly different than normal tissue that the doc feels. As TA reported this can include such common items as calcification. Many tumors are benign. The only way prostate cancer can be detected is by a biopsy.

Do you have red flags? Perhaps. Do you have prostate cancer? Perhaps and probably70% of men have PCa at your age. Does that mean you have a problem? Only if the cancer is aggressive and threatening. Only about 30%of prostate cancers are dangerous. Doesn’t look like the case fair you at the present time.

So, chill and enjoy life. Don’t worry, be happy........until you know otherwise.
Posted 12/2/2017 5:01 AM (GMT 0)
Excellent news. You can take the red flags down, but remain vigilant.

Good luck!
Posted Yesterday 1:57 PM (GMT 0)
I am sure this happens..more than a few times ! Yes--"False Red Flags"...!

My friend- in New England- recently had his Uro tell him he felt a nodule on the DRE...& told him- he had a 45% he had PC...! (Where he got that number--I have no clue )-

Well- he had the prostate biopsy...& it came back normal-!

Soo--yes--it probably happens...from time to time (See my recent post-kinda..."related"..! )-
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