Very High PSA, 6 biopsies

Richard · Regular Joined: 21 Jan 2006 Posts: 10

I am 63 years old. My PSA was 2.8 in 1998. It has risen steadily to 20.6 in Jan. 2006. I have had 6 biopsies, the most recent in Oct. 2005. No cancer has been found and no suspicious cells. My PSA rose from 11.5 in Mar. 2005 to 20.6 in Jan. 2006. I have no symptoms, and no other reason for the rise in PSA has been identified. I am very worried, but uncertain how to proceed. My urologist has suggested an endo-rectal MRI procedure. Has anyone else experienced such a high PSA with no cancer found after six biopsies? Also, has anyone found the endo-rectal MRI procedure useful in finding cancer that was not found by biopsy? Any other relevant information is welcome. Thank you.

br549 · Regular Joined: 23 Jan 2006 Posts: 11 Location: Pittsburgh

Hi Richard, my PSA was checked in 2002 at age 47 by my family doctor, it came out at 2.2. He said I should see a uroligist. I did, he checked my prostate and said it was enlarged a little on one side, no biopsy, see you next year. 2003 PSA is 5.5 did a biopsy with 6 samples coming back neg, he says see you next year, 2004 PSA up to 8 did biopsy with 6 samples coming back neg, he says see you next year. 2005 PSA up to 46, sent me to have another PSA test in a month and it went up to 56. He then did my third biopsy. Took 10 samples with 3 coming back positive. Sent me for bone scan and CT scan. He said the cancer has escaped my prostate and is now in my scapula (shoulder blade ) I took my first hormone injection ($2700.00)in Sept of 2005 and it brought my PSA down to 0. I also take Casodex ($440.00 for 30 pills) This seems to be working well for now but the truth is once it has spread average life is 14 to 21 months. Looking back, I wish I had a biopsy every six months and with more samples while my PSA was going up. If they can find it while it is still in your prostate, they can remove the prostate and you would be good for probably 15 years. Oh yeah, I forgot to say that to this day, I have no symptoms. I would not even know I have it if they were not telling it to me. I would ask that he do a bone scan and a Ct scan now. Hope this helps you.Thanks Greg.

Richard · Regular Joined: 21 Jan 2006 Posts: 10

Dear Greg,
Thank you very much for responding to my post re my high PSA with negative biopsies. It is very kind of you to provide information on your experience to me. It sounds pretty much like I am on the same road. And, I will take your advice to heart.
With all good wishes... from Richard

br549 · Regular Joined: 23 Jan 2006 Posts: 11 Location: Pittsburgh

Richard, An endo-rectal MRI is prob on the same order as a CT scan. I never heard of it before you mentioned but I would do anything to keep looking for a source. Hopefully find it is contained. You can email me direct if you want at gretzer@access995.com Thanks Greg

Richard · Regular Joined: 21 Jan 2006 Posts: 10

Thank you again, Greg, for your response. Your comments convinced me to contact my urologist today, and he has agreed to bypass the endo-rectal MRI procedure (which would have taken time to schedule, etc.) and immediately schedule another biopsy. Hopefully, if it is there, it will be discovered this time and still be confined to the prostate. But, time will tell.
In any event, I am grateful that you shared your experience. It certainly is helpful to me. Again, my thanks.
Richard

chgeiger · Posted: Fri Feb 17, 2006 6:31 pm Post subject: Very High PSA, 6 biopsies

I had 8 biopsies in 6 years. My PSA reached 12.1. My last 6 biopsies had at least 15 samples each, the very last one, Dec. 14, 2005, being a "saturation" biopsy of 29 samples. Finally, cancer was found in 2 of the 29 samples, only 0.5% had cancer. Gleason is 3+3=6, T1C. I'm scheduled for Da Vinci robot surgery March 13th. A few years ago 3 biopsies had Free PSA around 10%, not good.

I'm glad to hear that someone else has had so many biopsies.

Richard · Regular Joined: 21 Jan 2006 Posts: 10

To chgeiger: Thank you for sharing your experience of 8 biopsies. I recently had my seventh biopsy and still no cancer cells found. However, my PSA continues to rise rapidly, with the last test at 22.6, so I continue to be very concerned.
My urologist has referred me to Johns Hopkins in Baltimore. My initial appointment there is March 14. I am anxious to get their evaluation and recommendations.
I send my best wishes to you for successful surgery and a good recovery.
Richard

Anonymous · Guest

Dear Richard, I am 77. My PSA history is:- April 1999 8.5, January 2001 14.2 (biopsy of 14 cores - all negative), October 2003 30.9 (biopsy of 14 cores - all negative), October 2005 43.0, February 2006 31.7.

To summarise: The PSA rose almost on a straight line for six years, followed by a sharp drop in the last four months. The two biopsies showed some patches of chronic inflammation but no cancer.

I am considering what to do next. I would welcome any comments.
Geoff.

br549 · Regular Joined: 23 Jan 2006 Posts: 11 Location: Pittsburgh

Hello every body. got my third Lupron injection on Fri March 17. Originally scheduled for march 12 but was canceled because I changed insurance to Blue Cross / Blue Shield. BCBS sends the Lupron to the doc so they can cut out his profits and the doc won't give it to you from his supply because he want to be gaurenteed payment. Insurance companies shafting the docs, the docs shafting the insurance companies and they are all shafting us. What a wonderful world. Thanks for listening. greg. Exclamation

goruck · Posted: Mon May 22, 2006 8:22 pm Post subject: hi urology doc here

Hi,

I have patients just like you. Once I prove they dont have cancer, I focus agressively on prevention.

I can give you some ideas if you like.
feel free to email me at goruck@yahoo.com

george rucker

Hawk · New User Joined: 22 Nov 2006 Posts: 9

I started with a PSA of 5.2 at 52 yrs old, 3 months later it was 7.2
I had a 12 needle biopsy, no suspicious cells
6 months later my PSA was 16.2 (the free PSA reading was also not good)
I had a 14 needle biopsy with no suspicious cells
6 months later after radical nutrition change my PSA was 8.2
6 months later it was 8.1
6 months later it was 8.7
A 12 needle biopsy found Gleason 8 with 2 needles and some other suspicious cells (PIN)

I had a MRI spectrograph with a rectal probe that seemed to show much more than my normal CT scan which was normal. From the spectrograph with rectal probe my Dr B. Guillonneau at Memorial Slone Kettering Cancer Center indicated it revealed the area of the prostate involved so this must be a good visual test to at least help direct a biopsy. Keep looking. it is not a good feeling to know Gleason 8 cancer was in me for 3 years starting at age 52.

I am 27 months post op with a PSA of <.1
I still don't like to read these sites. Wink

By the way, up to the day of surgery no urologist ever felt an abnormality in my prostate and I was the picture of health. A small amount of nasty cancer on the edge of your prostate can be missed and that is where it may be most dangerous.

Richard · Regular Joined: 21 Jan 2006 Posts: 10

To Hawk:
Thank you for the information you have posted re your circumstances.
After 8 biopsies no cancer yet found in my prostate. However, my PSA is still very high. I was told by my urologist at Johns Hopkins to sit tight for 12 months, but I am very uncomfortable doing it. I still have no symptoms.
Based on your post I realize once again that I must be more aggressive in seeking an answer.
I am grateful to you.
From Richard

br549 · Regular Joined: 23 Jan 2006 Posts: 11 Location: Pittsburgh

Dear Richard,
I was just wondering how you are doing? I told you that my PSA went down to 0 and my prostate had shrunk as well. Now after 18 months of treatment by Lupron injections and Casodex, my PSA is now back up to 2.5. Cancer is in my shoulder blade. I have never had any problems other than a little pinch or probe in my shoulder every so often. Doctor says wait 3 months to check PSA again. He says sometimes he can take me off the meds and bring the PSA back down. See what happens ? Greg.

Richard · Regular Joined: 21 Jan 2006 Posts: 10

Dear Greg,
Thank you for bringing me up to date re your situation.
I have not been back to the urologist since last spring... my PSA remained high at that time (high teens) after a long term treatment with antibiotics... my eighth biopsy at that time was negative.. I am returning to the urologist in a couple of weeks and will see where things stand... I am still symptom free... given my history over the past several years I am expecting my PSA will still be very high and that my ninth biopsy will be scheduled..
I hope things develop in a positive way for you..
Sincerely,
Richard

johnw100 · Posted: Mon Dec 25, 2006 6:10 pm Post subject: diagnosis

Richard,

Do not know if you have had "free PSA tests which help determine the probability of PC, or the size of your prostate.

Because a larger prostate produces more PSA, the size is usually taken into account and "PSA density" calculated by dividing the PSA by prostate size. Johns Hopkins make reference to this in their article on "insignificant cancers" Winter 2003 newsletter. www.urology.jhu.edu/newsletter

Noticed an article in "medical News Today" 20 Sept about the Diagnostic Center for Disease opening their headquarters in Sarisota. Their non invasive diagnostic imaging technology claims 85% accuracy.

Most PCs start in the outer zone, minority ones in the transition zone can be less agressive but more difficult to diagnose because of their location.

A friend recently had many biopsies which failed to find anything. He eventually had TURP treatment and the lab report indicated PC in the removed tissue.

John

	Cancer Forums Forum Index -> Prostate Cancer Forum	All times are GMT - 5 Hours Goto page 1, 2 Next
Page 1 of 2

A website for discussions about any type of cancer, including lung cancer, breast cancer, mesothelioma, prostate cancer, laryngeal cancer, leukemia, lymphoma, multiple myeloma and others