New to this group and in total panic!

I feel your pain. I'm speaking for my husband! He went to the doctor was urinary stuff and what he thought was an enlarged prostate too, 55yo and exercises daily and eats right etc. so in overall good health!
his psa came back almost 300!
CT scan showed it outside the prostate, urologist did a biopsy- which was NOT pleasant! he said it was like getting raped by a broom stick! Gleason scores came back mostly 8s and 9s (combined) so bad cancer and bad cells!
He then spoke to oncologist and they scheduled a PSMA PET scan and recommended ADT injections and pills (medical castration! which my husband DID NOT want, that's his manhood!!)
PET scan came back even worse! sounds like he lit up like a Christmas tree! not only was it outside the prostate and in lymph nodes near it, it was in lymph nodes in the neck, innumerable in the lungs, spine, pelvis, bones etc...
TALK ABOUT DEPRESSING NEWS! 30% make it 5 years with that diagnosis!
I was mad, sad, distraught etc.... and who freaking cares about "the manhood" and sex?? I'd cut off my boobs if I can aggressive breast cancer, if that was what was needed!
Needless to say, he caved and took the ADT shots and pills and he's weaker and more tired but he's HERE! that's all I care about, he's still going to the gym daily and still does stuff around the house!
He finally relented and did 6 rounds of chemo too, which he finished 3 weeks ago and today we're going back for another PET scan. Praying we'll get some better news! I know there's no cure, but.....
All I'm saying this for, is that it IS depressing, for you you and the family! But it's not the end of the world! There's help out there and you will get thru this! Do it for your family and hang in there!!

I had an enlarged prostate. I had a PSA of 7.7 which my urologist said was normal for my prostate volume which was 68. My first biopsy(PSA was 4.3)and MRI were negative. My next MRI six years later was negative. Another biopsy(7.7) showed cancer. My advice to you is get it checked. Exhaust all avenues to make sure you feel confident with the results. Good luck.

@beaquilter

take heart- the ADT will suppress and stop most if not all the cancers outside prostate..for how long ?? prob 2 yrs or more..and he will prob need some radiation..but he will prob live many more yrs...
yes it sucks to be chemically castrated..luckily at 73 I had my run of sex ( but still enjoy it) and you can still do it, just takes a while longer and not near as exciting. and that is interesting perspective for me..anyway, it is a process and luckily he has you to go along on the ride ..I am alone..but I will see mine thru ( Gleason 8, 2 pelvic lymph nodes..discovered May 2025)

@so2315, I suggest calling the appointment office with that question. They can give you a more accurate estimate.

@so2315 not sure where you are in PA but if you are in the Philly area def go to UPenn. They are one of the top hospitals in the region. I saw both Dr Lee and Guzzo - both top docs.

I know its hard but try not to lose sleep. You dont know what you're dealing with - could be nothing. The good news is PC grows slowly so you have time - that doesnt give you much comfort (I was in your shoes in Dec) but its true.

If it turns out to be PC make sure you see many docs. Educate yourself so you can make a good decision. I saw 6 docs and picked all of their brains, asked a hundred questions, and by the time I was done I knew I had enough knowledge to make a treatment decision .

To so2315…. Don’t panic. Think positive and know that should you have prostate cancer you will be okay. Get the PSMA and Prostate biopsy. Someone here said the biopsy was “awful”, well I had the 13 plug biopsy and slept through the whole thing. The only think awful was the coffee and toast they gave me in the recovery room. Anyway I had cancer that spread to the seminal vesicles. Started on Orgovyx right away and after 2 months started Radiation. 44 treatments, in total. Went every day Monday-Friday for 9 weeks. Painless of course but had to deal,with some side effects. It’s been 4 months now and I’m cancer free and feeling quite good. The Orgovyx side effects are a nuisance but I’m here (just turned 80). Having a positive attitude and knowing you will beat Prostate cancer is a big plus. I beat bladder cancer back in 2009 and told myself and family I will beat Prostate cancer just like I did bladder cancer. FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT….

Update after Urologist appointment. Dr did DRE and felt no lumps or lesions, no firm spots but did note left side was a little larger than right side. Did another PSA test and the new reading was 4.05 down from 4.33 last week. More importantly, the total free PSA was now 27.4% up from 16.9% last week. Found out my PSA level was 2 back in 2020 when I had a vasectomy, and it was not taken again until 03/25, and was now showing 3. I was guessing it was at a 2 just last year, so thats my bad.
He basically said 8% chance of cancer, and 92% chance something else. Start 2 weeks of antibiotics and another test when done. If it's still high then he said MRI.

I made an error in my post above. .y original psa reading of 2 was made in 2000, 25 years ago! It was up to 3 in March 2025 and the GP said she wasn't concerned with that rise over 25 years. Maybe I am getting too worried, but the free psa level today gives me hope for now

@so2315
The doubling rate for PSA is a concern if it happens within nine months to a year, or even quicker. You are way out of that range.

From “Bear” in the Walt Longmire book series: “Stay calm, have courage, watch for signs.” Yeah, I have been there, done that, and have the tee shirt, hoody, etc from the NIH. 1) mine was aggressive and has spread and I am into year 16. 2) In addition to the recommendation for UPenn (they also have the one program in the US for BRCA2 mutation patients should you have that; again personal experience). If you are on the other end of PA, the Dana Farber Cancer Center is in Pittsburgh and they participate in NIH studies (unless this idiotic administration in DC has cut that back like they have done to the NIH directly that is now in chaos-again, personal experience. 3). Good programs will have support groups, emotional support, psych help , etc. ( yep, personal experience). Your life is not over even if you wind up with cancer. Trust me; better, trust your urologist.