Probably Cancer? Negative Biopsy

76Jensen · New User Joined: 16 Jul 2005 Posts: 2

This may be an odd question/comment but I am a bit confused. I am in rather good health 52y/o and my PSA at last years annual physical was 2.2 and this year was 4.2. Taken a month later again 4.2 so had Free PSA and I expected a high % but it was 8%. So I admitted to myself okay at 8% maybe I have something going on. By the way the DRE showed a small normal prostate and I had no symptoms of prostatitis. Had 12 needle biopsy and it just came back negative.
Here is where I am perplexed. My Urologist rather matter of fact said I probably have a small cancer "going on" but we missed it on Biopsy? So we will plan another round of blood work and another Biopsy. A test I do not relish being put through again.
Maybe I should send my Biopsy to John Hopkins or another facility for a second opinion? Is this a normal request of my physician? If he is so certain I "probably" have cancer in it's infant state why not get something like Brachytherapy done while I am young and in good shape. I want to be around for my 9 y/o and my wife.
Interestingly I went in to see the doctor a month early because of work related stress and feeling like I was low on testosterone (loss of the eye of the tiger feeling). My testosterone level was only 145 - which he said was low but now he can not treat?
Sorry for the rambling but I can't imagine I am the only guy going through something like this?

gonogo · Regular Joined: 18 Jun 2005 Posts: 25

[quote="76Jensen"]This may be an odd question/comment but I am a bit confused. I am in rather good health 52y/o and my PSA at last years annual physical was 2.2 and this year was 4.2. Taken a month later again 4.2 so had Free PSA and I expected a high % but it was 8%. So I admitted to myself okay at 8% maybe I have something going on. By the way the DRE showed a small normal prostate and I had no symptoms of prostatitis. Had 12 needle biopsy and it just came back negative.
Here is where I am perplexed. My Urologist rather matter of fact said I probably have a small cancer "going on" but we missed it on Biopsy? So we will plan another round of blood work and another Biopsy. A test I do not relish being put through again.
Maybe I should send my Biopsy to John Hopkins or another facility for a second opinion? Is this a normal request of my physician? If he is so certain I "probably" have cancer in it's infant state why not get something like Brachytherapy done while I am young and in good shape. I want to be around for my 9 y/o and my wife.
Interestingly I went in to see the doctor a month early because of work related stress and feeling like I was low on testosterone (loss of the eye of the tiger feeling). My testosterone level was only 145 - which he said was low but now he can not treat?
Sorry for the rambling but I can't imagine I am the only guy going through something like this?[/quote]

You have a lot to be thankful for they are checking you at an early stage, if you find out you do have Pca then it will be curable, a lot of men not so lucky. Pca feeds on testosterone, so no additional testosterone for you. You should get a book and read up on Pca or do a lot of google.

76Jensen · New User Joined: 16 Jul 2005 Posts: 2

GoNoGo, Thanks for the response it helps me to have discussion. I have started reading everything I can get my hands on. I certainly understand that I can not take anything to boost my testosterone.
One thing I thing I can not find any information on is if my Doc thinks there is a small cancer in it's very early stages, no prostrate symptoms, nothing obvious with the DRE, a rising PSA a very low 8% FPSA why not consider some sort of treatment now that is less invasive Vs potentially a major surgery later? If one did not have to worry about insurance payment why not look into seed implants or other newer temp seed procedures or cryo or other procedure or treatments. These procedures are all new to me so maybe I am over simplifying. I am not advocating rushing into this just wondering if this is an option?
I think the biopsy is required for a 100% diagnosis but at some point for a younger person if the PSA and FPSA numbers lean heavily toward Pca and a trained Urologist indicates "probable cancer" why keep it in your body? Guess I am just not used to waiting Vs taking action - of course after obtaining a second opinion from a specialist. I am not sure at what point I would consider treatment without a positive biopsy and maybe it is crazy to think this way?

gonogo · Regular Joined: 18 Jun 2005 Posts: 25

I understand your concerns, the way Doctors, at least Pca Docs handle treatment is treat when treatment is needed. Now you want to be treated for what, no diagnosis has been made yet. If a Doc treats you for something you don?t have, that could be construed as malpractice. Do read up on your options because when you find out that you do have Pca, you will at least know what treatment you will go for.
Be sure what you want for treatment, there will be little chance of turning back. One thing to keep in mind when picking an option, life #1, erectile and urinary comes second, some men get this out of order.

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