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PSA of 4.1 when never previously higher than 1.0
My apologies for asking such a basic question in a community in which so many are courageously dealing with significant challenges. But I’m filled with anxiety right now. I’m 64 and today got my PSA reading of 4.1 which I understand is barely outside the normal range for my age. But last year, my reading was .94 and close to that for the past several years. In fact, never above 1.0. I went to a urologist just last week for periodic dull pain in my right pelvis that my GP suspected was potentially a recurrent hernia, but ultrasound and MRI were negative for hernia. Urologist thinks I have prostatitis given some history of it in my late 40s. He sent me for blood and urine tests which were entirely normal except for PSA. I’m worried because it’s well over my consistent personal normal. Can PSA suddenly rise to the top of the range in a little over a year without a serious underlying problem? I have a call into my urologist, but he may not get back to me for several days, and I’m a bit fearful given that I’ve had two abdominal CT scans in my life that I regret getting because of radiation exposure. No one in the family has had prostate cancer. What do you all think is the standard course of action here? I’m grateful for any feedback. Thanks, guys.
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Good question — should I be concerned. My PSA jumped from 2.1 to 4.2 in one year. My doctor told me it was okay and just above the 4.0 level. I didn’t agree with my doctor’s opinion, because it had double in one year. I found another doctor and got retested. It was 4.2 again; however, this doctor was concerned. Long story short, half my prostate had cancer and it had spread out and was found in a lump node. Ugh.
Good luck with your outcome. It’s great you’re making an assessment of your situation.
Check that out request an mri of the prostate and follow by biopsy I had the same diagnosis and found cancer I decided to remove my prostate so far so good..
I’m sorry to hear about your experience, Jerry. How are you doing? How long was it between the first and second PSA test?
Glad to hear you’re doing well, docasio. Can you please describe the diagnostic MRI? Did they use contrast? Did they use a rectal insert? It seems very involved.
I had my second PSA test three months later, with the same result.
It’s been 30 months now since my surgery. I was incontinent for the first 10 months. The good news is I’m 100% continent today. However, I have no erectile function. I’m grateful for my bladder control.
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2 ReactionsYes make sure they use contrast. I was completely asleep for the biopsy. My Gleason score was 6 seven years ago I decided to go on active surveillance until recently 2024. My PSA went up to 6.5 after seven years of being diagnosed and my doctor told that I need to go for an MRI with contrast and it show that the tumor had grown two weeks later I went for a biopsy and came back that the Gleason score rose to 4+3 =7.. my oncologist told me that my best option for robotic surgery which I did.. So far so good I have no urine leakage at all but some Ed problems..
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1 ReactionIm so glad to hear that you got through it and that things improved over time. And I really appreciate you sharing your experience. Thanks.
Docasio, I’m glad the surgery went well. And thanks for sharing your story. This community is so helpful.
A lot of GPs tend to have a pretty casual outlook on spiking PSA results. Mine listened to me when mine went from .8 to 3.1 in a year. I asked for an urology referral and got one right away. The urologist asked about family history which included a brother and father with prostate cancer. He moved me right into a biopsy which confirmed a stage 2 diagnosis.
If it’s only 7 or 8 weeks between PSA tests you should be fine. The speed with which you got things going is to be commended. Good luck.