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Re: Rapid Rise In PSA (sould be Unusual Variations in PSA)
Yes, I did read PSA 101. I just wanted to know about anyone else's direct experience. But I understand what you are saying. There are a lot of unknowns involved here. What about velocity? I have read that the more rapid the rise, then if PC is detectec, the more aggressive the disease may be. This does seem to make sense.
I also wanted to clarify a previous entry. Although my dad did not die from his PC, he did died from Alzheimer's less than 5 years after his radiation treatment for the PC.
Re: Rapid Rise In PSA (sould be Unusual Variations in PSA)
You can't measure velocity in a small series of highly variable results, such as yours. There is controversy about the value of measuring velocity. A recent study - mentioned in The""New" Prostate Cancer Information site (see links last week) - implies that the value of velocity has only been demonstrated in studies run by Dr Catalona, the 'father' of PSA testing.
Can I suggest that if you are looking for only personal experiences, rather than general information, you make that clear in future posts.
Re: Rapid Rise In PSA (sould be Unusual Variations in PSA)
Thanks again Terry. I apologize if in any way I have confused any readers on this forum. I have read information about PC on countless number of websites. I am looking for any information that may help me better understand what I may now confront. I also am interested in anybody's related experiences with high PSA. I hope I am not disrespecting any one on the site. If I am, it is not intentional and I apologize.
Re: Rapid Rise In PSA (sould be Unusual Variations in PSA)
Hi Peter
there have been a lot of very useful comments on your thread and I hope that you are feeling more empowered and settled regarding your current results - I just wanted to add my experiences on the biopsy.
My first 2 were done in the doctors rooms. There was no anaessthetic used apart from a local contained in the lubricating jelly used - I cannot see why any doctor would not use this. In my case I had extreme discomfort, and the process was not that quick - Each core is taken from a needle fired by a "gun" which then is put in a jar and the gun "reloaded" - so it took some time to collect 6 cores - about 15 min maybe from start to finish. Each time I could hear the click before the shot which made it worse. Each sample was like being kicked hard in the backside.
After the proceedure I was emotionally shattered - it was so invasive. I took some time to recover, went back to work as I had a business meeting, but had to go home.
I am sorry if this gives a negative picture and as Terry has pointed out, some react better than others but it is important to prepare. I had a 2nd biopsy 3 months later, which was as uncomforatable as the 1st, but not as emotionally draining. I was not prepared to have the 3rd one under local and was put under for that with no side effects after.
It will help if you have someone with you for support.
Re: Rapid Rise In PSA (sould be Unusual Variations in PSA)
Thanks a lot Tim. I appreciate your information about your experience with the biopsy. May I ask why you had another biopsy after 3 months. That's quite an ordeal in itself. I am starting to think that if my urologist doesn't at least use some numbing in the jelly, I will have to consider another urologist. It sounds to me like the biopsy may feel worse than getting radiation to treat PC. Am I totally ignorant here, or simply jumping the gun regarding any discomfort associated with radiation treatment?
Re: Rapid Rise In PSA (sould be Unusual Variations in PSA)
Peter,
If your urologist doesn´t want to give you numbing, he belongs to the ignorant kind. Maybe so ignorant as not to give you antibiotics. So please make sure of that.
Re: Rapid Rise In PSA (sould be Unusual Variations in PSA)
Hi Peter
In reply to why I had 3 biopsies - I had a high PSA and low fPSA ratio - indicating potential cancer - however the pathologists could not diagnose PCa with the 1st 2 biopsies - which were labelled "atypical" the "highly suspicious". Thats the way it is, if the biopsies are not conclusive you will probably be asked to re test.
Having said that my current uro who did the surgery disagreed with that approach - he would have done a saturation biopsy under general, and taken 20 odd cores (vs 6,6 and 8 over my 3 biopsies) probably would have found the cancer a year earlier. The reality is that you take a very small sample size and the cancer is often missed. If I had to choose again I would have done the saturation biopsy 1st off. Needless to say the proceedure in hospital would be more expensive.
Your uro should maybe ultrasound the prostate for size - the bigger, the more samples they may take.
The other consideration is interpreting the biopsy results - often post prostatectomy the pathology is re rated. In my case biopsy found Ca in one lobe, Gleason 3+3 - clinical post was in both lobes, Gleason 3+4
Best wishes, Tim from South Africa
Re: Rapid Rise In PSA (sould be Unusual Variations in PSA)
Hi Peter
I am doing well, thank you - you can read my story at http://www.yananow.net/Mentors/TimG.htm. I will be visiting my specialist tomorrow to get my 1st post op PSA results and discuss penile rehab. I'll update my blog later
