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What does a PSA score of 162+ indicate?
My 82 yr old father, who has been very healthy except for bouts of gout recently came down with shingles and during his Dr.'s visit had labs drawn which ultimately received a PSA score of 164 and refused a biopsy and just became irrational about the situation and told the urologist that he had lived a long life and would take his chances. He refused the biopsy but with my insists he agreed to get a MRI but only after another PSA test to confirm. Well he got a call after labs and was told that his score has gone even higher. He did not tell the family but my mom overheard him and he confirmed. He has been having arm and hip pain and on occasion been seeing things that aren't there. He has been active all his life and over night he is always cold and never ventures out except to Dr. Apps. He has become unapproachable about the subject and in 6 days he's scheduled for the MRI which he refuses to do. As a daughter what advice would you give me on how to approach this situation. I know he's scared but I just don't want to see him suffer. Any support would be greatly appreciated.
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The only useful advice can come from a medical professional specialising in prostate cancer.
I'm not one, but for context, my PSA was 67 at time of diagnosis, and had already metastasised to my spine (stage 4b) and left me paraplegic for many months.
That doesn't mean your father will be in the same situation as I was, just that it is a big number.
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2 ReactionsAs for what to do, hard as this is to hear, he's over 80 and no longer owes anything to anyone, even his kids. He's probably seen many good friends pass away already, and if he's decided this is the way he wants to go, you might not be able to do much. Just tell him you love him, and that you'll be there for him no matter what happens.
(I lost my father to a different disease when he was 70, and had finally accepted a few years earlier that I couldn't save him against his will.)
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5 ReactionsGigirae58, tough call.
Shingles does raise PSA as any inflammatory process does. The blood vessels become more porous and more of the antigen can leach into the blood. There are PSA numbers much higher without Prostate Cancer with some cardiac issues.
I would suggest a liquid biopsy https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10415624/#:~:text=Liquid%20biopsy%20(LB)%20is%20a,for%20diagnosing%20and%20monitoring%20cancers.&text=LB%20is%20minimally%20invasive%2C%20requiring,cancers%20release%20into%20body%20fluids.
wishing all three of you the best luck
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2 ReactionsWith the shingles, possible gout, and possible PC you dad can be in a lot of pain. Both physically and emotionally.
So I'll also share my story.
Dad was 93 when he passed. And totally mentally sharp as a 20-year old. This was typical age for his four siblings and parents as well. Long life is in the family.
But he had terrible arthritis in his spine so every movement was quite painful. Mom had passed about 9-months earlier and though he had lots of company he now felt "alone".
And that after about 2-years of telling my brother and I he literally wanted to die.
We got together as a family and the one thing we did was just love him and keep contact with him. And we had the whole inner family well informed of his condition and wishes and in agreement (my brother and our 1/2 sister and all 4 grown grandkids).
So when the flu came we let it save him any more pain. Yes, some friends said we were awful. That didn't help but we were one in our knowledge we did what he wanted (and needed) and we love him still.
Sorry to be so "final". It's a tough path you're on.
And nobody knows God's plan for us but God's strength is with each of us and you and yours.
No matter the decisions you make, make them as one loving family and keep letting your dad know you love him. Win. lose, or draw.
I'm sure you have the prayers of this whole PC community in your favor.
God Speed and Blessings
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