For the over 55 guys: PSA…at what level of the results should we worry? 4, 4.5, 5, 5.5, 6, 6.5?
I have been "told" to get a biopsy of my prostate. However, as I have never had any kind of surgical procedure performed on my body, I am very worried, and apprehensive of the RECTAL invasion and possible consequences; even thought prostate CANCER is something to worry about! My age, 63
Do it! My doctors kept putting off even mentioning this test. I’m now 66 and hope to see 67. For over ten years and three doctors, one finally said my PSA was high enough to have a biopsy done. Like you I was apprehensive about having my rectum invaded like this. It turned out to not be as bad as I expected, not something I care to do regularly.
My PSA in 1995 was 4.2 and my doctor gave me antibiotics to see if it would come down. It did and everytime my PSA went up, here came the antibiotics. Last year, I went on Medicare and my PSA was again 4.2. This doctor said it’s not high enough to worry about yet.
I changed insurance and doctors in January. When my PSA came back at 4.3 in February, my new doctor insisted I have a biopsy. This was done in a Urologists office with no drugs. I was relived when it was over. Now came the hard part, waiting for the results.
Out of all the cores they took, my cancer was in 85% of them. My Gleason score is 9 (4+5). The only scores worse than that is 9 (5+4) and 10 (5+5). I have a very aggressive form of prostate cancer. My only treatment is to have 42 extrernal beam radiation sessions over an eight and one-half week period. While they are burning my rectum, I’m also having hormone shots to block my testersone, that’s what makes you a man. In three months I’ll under go another biopsy, to see if I will need to have radioactive seeds implanted in what’s left of my prostate. At this point removal, for me, is not an option.
Removal is the desired treatment since removing the prostate cancels any worry of cancer if the cancer has not spread beyond the prostate. If it has, you must continue on with radiation. With the prostate gone your PSA will now be Zero.
As Larry, the Cable Guy says, "Get R Done"
Additional thoughts: I attended a seminar on Prostate cancer treatments to hear a doctor mention he had a 42 year old patient with a PSA of 2.5 and a Gleason score of 10. PSA isn’t always the answer, the Gleason score, can only be found with a biopsy, is the answer.
Considerable debate surrounds who needs a prostate biopsy. Learn the latest information about when a biopsy should be performed.
“Patients’ choices in terms of what therapy to have for prostate cancer really are based on their individual situation and their acceptance of certain risks or benefits from that treatment.” Drs. Tewari (leader in prostate cancer research and surgery) and Schlegel (Department Chairman) of Cornell Urology discuss “treatment choices” in the context of patient profile and the acceptance of certain risks. They emphasize the importance of having all the right knowledge and being an informed prostate cancer patient when facing prostate cancer treatment decisions. Prostate cancer requires you to get through all the physician bias and make informed decisions in partnership with your prostate cancer doctor.
“A lot of the risk in terms of developing prostate cancer is genetic and not something we have full control over.” Dr. Schlegel (Department Chairman) of Cornell Urology discusses the role genetics play in Prostate Cancer.
“Surgical removal of the prostate can either be done with an open incision, as has been traditionally been done, or with a robotic approach.” Dr. Tewari and Dr, Schlegel, of the Dept. of Urology at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center, present the two main type sof prostate cancer surgery, as well as explaining the advantages/disadvantages of each.
“It’s important to have a wide variety of different treatment approaches and different support groups for men who have prostate cancer.” Dr. Schlegel (Department Chairman) of Cornell Urology discusses various treatment options for men to consider when faced with prostate cancer. Including hormonal prostate cancer treatment options and surgical. He also discusses adjunctive therapies for prostate cancer patients.
“Actually the first morning is very important, because by that time you know exactly how that patient is going to do down the road.” Dr. Tewari, of the Dept. of Urology at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center, shares both clinical and psychological dimensions of recovery and healing.
An educational video describing treatment options for the prostate cancer patient at Chicago Prostate Cancer Center. World leader in minimally invasive treatments. Dr. Brian Moran, world renowned radiation oncologists in the field of prostate cancer and advanced biopsy techniques. Over 10,000 procedures performed since 1997. Brachytherapy provides cure rates equal to surgery and IMRT with lower risk of side effects. One time outpatient procedure, minimally invasive with return to normal activity within a day. Safe and effective. No risk of radiation exposure to family members.