Recently got a very high PSA test result level - doctor is sending me to a urology oncologist.

Anyone have any experience with high PSA levels that did not result in a cancer diagnosis?

jdleather (imported) wrote: Tue Jun 25, 2024 3:10 pm Recently got a very high PSA test result level - doctor is sending me to a urology oncologist.

Anyone have any experience with high PSA levels that did not result in a cancer diagnosis?

Hi JD yeah, I always had a normal PSA between 1.5 and 2. In 2019 it shot up to 9. I was tested every three to 6 month afterwards and my PSA topped out at 12. I subsequently had a prostate biopsy and a CTScan, both of which were negative for prostate cancer. My last PSA test in Nov 2023 was an almost normal 2.6. So my urologist said everything is fine. Though they still don't know why my PSA went up in the first place. So don't panic, it may resolve itself. But do get tested. FYI I'm 66. Good Luck

jdleather (imported) wrote: Tue Jun 25, 2024 3:10 pm Recently got a very high PSA test result level - doctor is sending me to a urology oncologist.

Anyone have any experience with high PSA levels that did not result in a cancer diagnosis?

No experience (fortunately) yet w/ high PSA, but I had a thread a while back when I asked about the need for PSA testing if castrated and on Estrogen HRT as I am...

Because of family history I'm classed as 'high risk' for prostate cancer, but my primary care doc wasn't sure that I needed to worry since castration supposedly lowers the risks of PC... I also had a low PSA when tested a few years back, well before my surgery. Since I wasn't sure either, I asked here, and got a VERY emphatic answer from some of our top experts that if a person has a prostate they SHOULD be tested regardless of whether or not they still have balls...

That said, even in the general medical literature, there is a considerable amount of debate about what should be done about a high PSA, especially with older patients... The follow-up tests are invasive and unpleasant at best, and even if they DO find cancer, many of the PC versions are slow growing enough that something else is likely to do you in before the PC is a problem... But the treatments are mostly painful, risk incontinence, and so forth... So often 'watchful waiting' and regular testing are suggested as the best options...

I am NOT an MD, so take my advice for what it's worth... But I'd definitely see the oncologist, and be OK w/ minimally invasive testing, but be VERY careful and do my own research, seek additional opinions etc. before agreeing to anything involving surgery or other aggressive treatments... Of course you do have the slight advantage that being here on EA suggests that you would be more open to 'androgen deprivation' - i.e. getting snipped, if you haven't already been....

If you have had surgery, and are currently doing HRT with Testosterone, it MIGHT be worth reducing / ending your dose, and possibly switching to estradiol, as I've heard that T supplementation can sometimes cause a high PSA.

Good luck!

WheelyFixed

Hi,

I am on 17.3ng/ml. They've found a suspicious spot by MRT which they've rated at PIRADS IV. Next for me is biopsy.

Good luck!

There are so many reasons your PSA might spike.

In the biopsy the did not find cancer cells, neither in the spot found by MRT nor in other areas. My urologist asked whether they've hit the spot, so obviously he does not trust too much in the result. Now the plan is to do another blood test within some two months and if the PSA level again is high and did not reduce or even grow to repeat everything else as well.

Sorry the results are so mixed, good that they didn't find any cancer, but I can't imagine you are looking forward to a possible repeat.... Good luck on the PSA test...

WheelyFixed