What PSA Score sent you to a Urologist?

Posted by jayhall @jayhall, May 17 12:47pm

I get PSA blood work done every 6 months. Last year my PSA was 3.25 and six months later it had increased to 5.5. My PCP sent me to a Urologist. The Urologist confirmed that if you score 5 or about it's wise to get a biopsy etc, to rule out Cancer and develop a treatment plan for your PSA. I'm curious what PSA score sent you to a Urologist.

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perrychristopher | @perrychristopher | May 18 9:13am

I was told to go when it was over 2.5. Mine was 2.99 at 59 years old. 3 months later it was 3.46. Had surgery 3 months later after biopsy found Gleason score 4 + 3 cancer. No issues with RALP. Cancer free so far 19 months after surgery.

psmick | @psmick | May 18 9:34am

My PSA was 11.3 and 2 months later 14.6 after which I was referred to a Urologist. ( Prior to that a a urology NP kept telling me that a rising PSA was normal with aging. ) Had an MRI, followed by MRI guided biopsy, and PETScan over a 6 month period after which I started ADT. Am into my 10th month of 3 month LupronD injections with PSA of .02. The cancer was localized at the start of treatment.

oskarpr | @oskarpr | May 18 9:58am

My was between 3-4, after firstMRI biopsy neg, diagnosed with BPH,
After 5years went up to 5-6 second MRI and Biopsy positive for cancer
GS=7 one lesson out of 13 acinar adenocarcinoma .
Leaning for radical prostatectomy
Robotic surgery.

milans | @milans | May 19 9:32am

Had not been getting PSA after age 60 since it had been normal. Started having what I thought were BPH symptoms about age 70 and finally got bad enough to see my primary MD at age 71 who checked PSA then and it was 30. Biopsy showed G 4+5 =9. Just completed RP with negative margins and no spread. Feel like I barely dodged a bullet!

hbp | @hbp | May 19 9:58am

My PSA was low but increasing each year for 3 years (3,6,9). Had an MRI, PET scan etc and learned that I had G 9, CR, locally advanced PC. Has RP, 12 months of ADT and Erleada and presently doing ok but, you know, this disease progresses. 74 when the process began 77 now.

bluegill | @bluegill | May 19 2:07pm

Mine was 28.

deebee41 | @deebee41 | May 19 2:52pm

In reply to @bluegill "Mine was 28." + (show)

12 with gleason of 8 Had 45 days of radiation and 2 yrars of Lupron every 3 month. PSA went low for 11 years then started climbing. Now back to about 12, Casodex may be in order but not meta -static

bluegill | @bluegill | May 19 3:18pm

Well, 11 years is a good run. That is, a good stretch of time that you rested from the "Whack-a-Mole" game. Good luck with Casodex.

I feel a bit guilty when I hear of people who had really high PSAs, much higher than mine. I'm not happy they had the high number, but I'm happy that there's lots of hope for me. Does that make sense?

cmartin45 | @cmartin45 | May 20 12:16pm

In reply to @ovstampco "I had my first PSA test done at age 67 . My PSA was 10.9 and..." + (show)

Greetings! I would think it would be inappropriate not to have a 3T MRI done first and then a MRI guided/directed biospy performed.

ovstampco | @ovstampco | May 20 2:30pm

In reply to @cmartin45 "Greetings! I would think it would be inappropriate not to have a 3T MRI done first..." + (show)

Yes ! My thoughts exactly . I'm learning that many people have great insurance where they can have input into the treatment process and some can even choose which facility they can use . I think Kaiser has a set treatment routine for prostate issues - first you get a blind biopsy ( after an elevated PSA reading ) , then you get a prostate removal if your Gleason is 7 or higher . No wiggle room for
watching or treatment options ..... I think I'm just going to have to live with my high PSA reading ( 11 ) and hope for the best .....What's really shocking is that there isn't a urologist in the country that will take cash payments (even for a consultation) they are all demanding insurance only - maybe it's malpractice worries ? I don't know .