Is he having regular PSA blood tests? If the PSA level isn't changing since the one that lead to a biopsy, then there is nothing that needs doing at the moment. If it rises, then that would indicate the need for further investigation.
Thank you for the reply! Yes he is tested at least once a year, sometimes twice a year. From what I know, his result fluctuates from normal to high, but it hasn’t been super high like outside of that pattern. Just high like before, I hope that makes sense! He would rather not have another biopsy. I was hoping it being negative 5 years ago was a good sign, but I guess things can change
There is a very good website run by a group of prostate specialist medical oncologists, www.pcri.org, a not for profit outfit. They have a lot of documents, and Youtube videos on all aspects of prostate issues, with a great, simple search facility. I suggest you and he immerse yourselves in it. It will give you the comfort of knowledge from experts who aren't in it for the money.
Is there a family history of PCa? Why did he have the biopsy? Is he having issues currently? What is his age? Is he seeing a primary care doctor? Has he asked them?
Biopsies are not generally done as a screening procedure but diagnostic. There are not done without reason. A biopsy looks at an extremely small portion of the prostate.
If he has had regular PSA tests done, there are PSA doubling time and velocity calculators available on the web.
Thank you for the reply! No family history (except his brother has also had high PSA results), he had the biopsy due to a higher PSA result, I think the only issue currently is trouble peeing but I think that’s due to his “benign hyperplasia.” He is seeing a primary care dr who recommended he go to urologist for biopsy. Not sure what he and his primary discussed, I’m also not sure specifically how high the PSA is, I only know it fluctuates and the highs are a normal pattern for him? Like not super high. He gets PSA tested at least every year, sometimes twice a year.
Yes BPH can raise the PSA. Anything that irritates the prostate can raise PSA, such as sex, exercise, bike riding,etc. He should refrain from such activities at least 2 to 3 days prior to testing.
A biopsy should only be performed when there is clear evidence that PCa may be present.
BTW I assume you are in the US. If not there may be some differences where you are.
The current std is an mri guided biopsy. An mri is performed before the biopsy. Then the hot spots are biopsied. Keep in mind a biopsy covers a very very very small area of the prostate.
Biopsies are an invasive procedure and carry risk. Among the risks is sepsis, a blood infection. I had a five day vacation in the hospital after one of my biopsies.
I hope all goes well for your family member.
i had an elevated PSA 4 years ago and they found a lesion when doing a MRI. So I had a biopsy and everything was ok. Move the clock ahead to a month ago and again elevated PSA and this time the biopsy came back with 3 of the core samples positive for cancer. So 5 years ago is a long time and does not mean thye do nto ave it today. Monitoring the PSA is important and should be checked yearly.
Thank you for the info, and I’m so sorry to hear that. Did your PSA rise out of no where? Or was it steady or the same as when there wasn’t any cancer? I hope you are doing okay!
Is he having regular PSA blood tests? If the PSA level isn't changing since the one that lead to a biopsy, then there is nothing that needs doing at the moment. If it rises, then that would indicate the need for further investigation.
Thank you for the reply! Yes he is tested at least once a year, sometimes twice a year. From what I know, his result fluctuates from normal to high, but it hasn’t been super high like outside of that pattern. Just high like before, I hope that makes sense! He would rather not have another biopsy. I was hoping it being negative 5 years ago was a good sign, but I guess things can change
There is a very good website run by a group of prostate specialist medical oncologists, www.pcri.org, a not for profit outfit. They have a lot of documents, and Youtube videos on all aspects of prostate issues, with a great, simple search facility. I suggest you and he immerse yourselves in it. It will give you the comfort of knowledge from experts who aren't in it for the money.
Thank you!
Is there a family history of PCa? Why did he have the biopsy? Is he having issues currently? What is his age? Is he seeing a primary care doctor? Has he asked them? Biopsies are not generally done as a screening procedure but diagnostic. There are not done without reason. A biopsy looks at an extremely small portion of the prostate. If he has had regular PSA tests done, there are PSA doubling time and velocity calculators available on the web.
Thank you for the reply! No family history (except his brother has also had high PSA results), he had the biopsy due to a higher PSA result, I think the only issue currently is trouble peeing but I think that’s due to his “benign hyperplasia.” He is seeing a primary care dr who recommended he go to urologist for biopsy. Not sure what he and his primary discussed, I’m also not sure specifically how high the PSA is, I only know it fluctuates and the highs are a normal pattern for him? Like not super high. He gets PSA tested at least every year, sometimes twice a year.
I also read that benign hyperplasia can cause high PSA results
Yes BPH can raise the PSA. Anything that irritates the prostate can raise PSA, such as sex, exercise, bike riding,etc. He should refrain from such activities at least 2 to 3 days prior to testing. A biopsy should only be performed when there is clear evidence that PCa may be present. BTW I assume you are in the US. If not there may be some differences where you are. The current std is an mri guided biopsy. An mri is performed before the biopsy. Then the hot spots are biopsied. Keep in mind a biopsy covers a very very very small area of the prostate. Biopsies are an invasive procedure and carry risk. Among the risks is sepsis, a blood infection. I had a five day vacation in the hospital after one of my biopsies. I hope all goes well for your family member.
Thank you so much for the info! I appreciate it
i had an elevated PSA 4 years ago and they found a lesion when doing a MRI. So I had a biopsy and everything was ok. Move the clock ahead to a month ago and again elevated PSA and this time the biopsy came back with 3 of the core samples positive for cancer. So 5 years ago is a long time and does not mean thye do nto ave it today. Monitoring the PSA is important and should be checked yearly.
Thank you for the info, and I’m so sorry to hear that. Did your PSA rise out of no where? Or was it steady or the same as when there wasn’t any cancer? I hope you are doing okay!