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1.3 rise in yearly PSA and BRCA2 Positive

Posted by jimmyf1963 @jimmyf1963, Aug 17 1:01pm

Hello All, I am 61 and BRCA2 positive. My last PSA blood test showed an increase from .518 to 1.875. Wanted to know if there are any other BRCA2 patients here and what tests they were given as a follow up to having an increased PSA level? Thanks for any help

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edmond1971 | @edmond1971 | Aug 17 7:40pm

I am brac2 positive and doing baseline tests for colon and pancreas, seeing dermatologist a few times a year for skin and perform breast check myself and included in annual physical

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jimmyf1963 | @jimmyf1963 | Aug 17 7:51pm
In reply to @edmond1971 "I am brac2 positive and doing baseline tests for colon and pancreas, seeing dermatologist a few..." + (show)
@edmond1971

I am brac2 positive and doing baseline tests for colon and pancreas, seeing dermatologist a few times a year for skin and perform breast check myself and included in annual physical

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Hi Edmond, thanks for responding. I have been doing breast exams myself and have had pancreatic screening MRIs.

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cudabinacontenda | @cudabinacontenda | Aug 18 8:26am

Jimmy, do you have a BRCA2 mutation of known “deleterious” consequence or one of “uncertain significance?” I’m currently being monitored for a PSA spike and have a BRCA2 mutation of uncertain significance. I’m 64 with a normal PSA of around 1.0. Two months ago, my test came in at 4.1. Six weeks later, it dropped to 2.59 without using antibiotics. The urologist is going to retest in three months and then make a decision on MRI. I have a history of chronic prostatitis and a 15-year annoying problem with urinary urgency but never an abnormal PSA

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jimmyf1963 | @jimmyf1963 | Aug 18 9:09am
In reply to @cudabinacontenda "Jimmy, do you have a BRCA2 mutation of known “deleterious” consequence or one of “uncertain significance?”..." + (show)
@cudabinacontenda

Jimmy, do you have a BRCA2 mutation of known “deleterious” consequence or one of “uncertain significance?” I’m currently being monitored for a PSA spike and have a BRCA2 mutation of uncertain significance. I’m 64 with a normal PSA of around 1.0. Two months ago, my test came in at 4.1. Six weeks later, it dropped to 2.59 without using antibiotics. The urologist is going to retest in three months and then make a decision on MRI. I have a history of chronic prostatitis and a 15-year annoying problem with urinary urgency but never an abnormal PSA

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I have a deleterious mutation. A sibling was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer at 51 and tested positive for a BRCA2 mutation. I don't have a urologist since moving to Florida almost two years ago, but have an appointment with my PCP this week and will discuss it with him.
Also starting a pancreatic cancer screening program at Moffitt so I will ask the genetic counselor about seeing a urologist there. Can you ask your doctor for the MRI?
Never had a problem with my prostate, but I do have a urethral stricture that affects my urination.

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cudabinacontenda | @cudabinacontenda | Aug 18 9:44am

I’m sad to hear that a sibling of yours died so young from such a terrible disease. I’m also sorry to learn that you’re dealing with the uncertainty of such a mutation.

My understanding is that an MRI won’t rule out cancer. It’s more of a stepping stone to figuring out an approach to biopsy which, although not 100% accurate, is much more effective than scans in identifying malignancies. So if one gets an MRi, one is almost always headed for biopsy.

I also understand that 66 to 75 percent of PSA spikes are ultimately due to benign causes. (Anyone, please correct me if I am wrong on this.) So reducing unnecessary prostate scans and biopsies has long been the focus of urology. This means living with some short-term uncertainty in order to protect oneself from the potential complications of aggressive testing. So I’m willing to do this for a while with an appreciation of the risk.

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jimmyf1963 | @jimmyf1963 | Aug 18 1:12pm
In reply to @cudabinacontenda "I’m sad to hear that a sibling of yours died so young from such a terrible..." + (show)
@cudabinacontenda

I’m sad to hear that a sibling of yours died so young from such a terrible disease. I’m also sorry to learn that you’re dealing with the uncertainty of such a mutation.

My understanding is that an MRI won’t rule out cancer. It’s more of a stepping stone to figuring out an approach to biopsy which, although not 100% accurate, is much more effective than scans in identifying malignancies. So if one gets an MRi, one is almost always headed for biopsy.

I also understand that 66 to 75 percent of PSA spikes are ultimately due to benign causes. (Anyone, please correct me if I am wrong on this.) So reducing unnecessary prostate scans and biopsies has long been the focus of urology. This means living with some short-term uncertainty in order to protect oneself from the potential complications of aggressive testing. So I’m willing to do this for a while with an appreciation of the risk.

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Thank you for your kind thoughts.

An article I found online suggested PC screening protocols and PC treatment methods for BRCA positive patients. Looks like BRCA2 is particularly aggressive. I am unable to post links as of now. Only posting this information, as it may help someone else in a similar situation.

Google search terms

BRCA2 prostate clinical management

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