Who knows a lot about PSA test results?

Posted by marybasaldella @tinamaria1, Mar 1 5:02pm

My 62 year old BF had a PSA result of 6 in Jan. 2024 and 4.6 earlier this week, and an EXODx score of 73.32. We met with the Urologist earlier this week and his nurse, but it was so hard to figure out what the tests results meant. I mean, I asked both of them exactly what do these test results show or make you think, but I got round about answers. My BF just had to schedule a MRI, which he gets next week. My BF is acting kind of distant, and it's hard to see what he is feeling. Do you think that he feels he does have prostrate cancer? I told him to concentrate on going to work since he feels good, isnt' sick, and work will keep his mind off of the next test. Maybe am I being insenstive? He normally talks a lot to me about all things in depth, but I am woman, and I guess I don't know all he knows. I only went to one appt with him, and he did not even proactively share the latest PSA test with me.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Prostate Cancer Support Group.

On the relational side, (after all I am an MFT etc), I would encourage you to let him be in charge of his cancer, but respectfully and consistently be available to be alongside him, however he prefers. Obviously one of the things that may be happening is the triggering of memories of his previous traumatic journey alongside his wife.
Your own journey in coming to terms with this will likely start with your own history to this point, which may be quite different from his.
Also, please write everything here (on this public forum) in a way that if or when he reads it he will feel respected and not betrayed. It's his story to tell, even though you are part of the story. This might include not using names or identifying facts without his explicit permission, or even copying him on everything you post. (The fact that he is not ready to tell his adult children what he's dealing with is a flag that he might have concerns about who hears what when and how.)
After all, your first challenge is being a trustworthy companion in this unwanted journey, whatever it includes. All the best, and thank you for being alongside this brother in our unwanted fraternity.

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This is personal, but went my PSA went up my normally - normal Libido was affected. It is an embarrassment when desire is affected.
I’d let the MRI play out and wait it out.
I can’t help you on the PSA. I’m having same issue. High of 6.7 and recently 3.6 and Dr had no explanation. My Treatment hasn’t started.

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PSA alone can be high ( above 4.0) for 3 reasons, BPH, Prostatitis and Prostate Cancer. I would highly recommend the 2 tests I got when my PSA went from 4.27 to 6.24 in 6 months, first was a 4K score blood test, second was a multi parametric MRI with a 3T machine. Both tests confirmed cancer, my 4K score was the maximum at 95 and the MRI was a Pirads 4 and showed a 12mm lesion on the right lobe. The MRI will also give you the prostate size, mine was 50.4CC or 50.4 grams, about the size of a lemon. which is large, but not as large as many have. My Dad had his prostate out at 63 years old, it was 250 grams, about the size of a grapefruit. If your BF has had BPH symptoms like I had for several years, that could be the cause. The 4K score test and MRI will let him know. Then comes the biopsy to confirm cancer, mine was 6 out of 23 needle cores 70% with Gleason 4+3=7 I was hoping for a 3+4=7 which is more favorable, or a 3+3=6 which can barely be called cancer.
I then isisted on having a PSMA PET scan to confirm the cancer was contained to the prostate, that test confirmed the MRI lesion and showed some additional tracer uptake on the left lobe. Here is the deciding test, I had Mayo order a Decipher Test, it came back at 0.38 low risk for metastasis, so I really have to think about treatment. Given my relatively low PSA, and PSA density of .13 so small volume tumor, only 1% of my 50.4 cc prostate, and the low Decipher score, I will probably opt for focal therapy with the least side effects, or I may just concentrate on Ketogenic diet, & exercise, to keep the cancer in check with Metabolic Therapy.

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I know that PSA test are helpful to those who treat your prostate. I know that PSA test can emotional challenging to those of us with prostate cancer diagnosis. Why? Trauma. Unresolved trauma. I am thankful for my prostate cancer getting the treatment it needs which is assisted by PSA exams. But, my trauma from my PSA supper bad PSA always returns with each exam. Will I hit 118 again? Hopefully not. But that number implanted in my mind.

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So, what do you make of a urologist in this case. Two years after 43 rad sessions, my PSA begins to rise. It's gone from .9 to 2.16 in one year, a 140% acceleration. Previous PSMA shows part of prostate with likely cancer, but nothing spreading. Urologist says Eligard, immediately, no more active surveillance. I agree it's a rapid rise but do all the medical books say the same thing about what immediately triggers the need for ADT?

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@tinamaria1, how are you and your boyfriend doing? Any update?

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@jamesharrison

I got my second opinion from Johns Hopkins on the prostate biopsy. I was glad I did because they found some things that Mayo Clinic did not.

After your boyfriend has a biopsy, he will better know his risk level, called a Gleason score. Mine was “favorable intermediate,” so I had the entire range of treatments to choose from. That is good, but can also tend to be overwhelming.

My wife and I spent several weeks reading articles, watching videos, reading books, clinical studies, etc. After my biopsy and diagnosis. It’s a very complicated subject! I was glad that I investigated both surgery and radiation, and interviewed 2 urology oncologists (surgeons) and 2 Radiation Oncologists. I’m lucky to live just an hour away from the mayo clinic in Minnesota.

An important thing is to give yourself some time, research, and look into both surgery and radiation. Whatever modality you choose it’s good to find a doctor who is very experienced in that modality.

Not sure where you live, but there are many “centers of excellence” across the US that deal with a lot of prostate cancer. Regardless, find the very best hospital that you are able to access.

I’d also say to stay on Mayo Connect. The phenomenally good surgeon that we wound up choosing was as a result of my wife putting a question out there on Mayo Connect and getting great responses.

Many or most prostate cancers are very slow growing, so that’s a positive. And there have been lots of improvements and treatments, high tech solutions, etc. in the last decade or so.

All the Best to you and your boyfriend in this journey. Feel free to give me a private message through this portal at any time if you would like to.

All the best,
Jim G

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thank you so very much the information you gave about research is something i will share with my BF...I am not ready to let him know I have been consulting on this forum..

he is using Hopkins and we live about 30 minutes away but I will encourage him to still get second opinions...seems his weight loss has stabalized..he has a good appetite too. The only new change is that he now goes pee a lot more like me..lol..I go a lot because I am an athlete determined to drink about 90 plus ounces of h2o ongoing daily..but he actually doesn't drink a lot of water or fluids at all..so we laugh about it..

he has his MRI on friday, we will get the results soon I imagine..

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@spino

On the relational side, (after all I am an MFT etc), I would encourage you to let him be in charge of his cancer, but respectfully and consistently be available to be alongside him, however he prefers. Obviously one of the things that may be happening is the triggering of memories of his previous traumatic journey alongside his wife.
Your own journey in coming to terms with this will likely start with your own history to this point, which may be quite different from his.
Also, please write everything here (on this public forum) in a way that if or when he reads it he will feel respected and not betrayed. It's his story to tell, even though you are part of the story. This might include not using names or identifying facts without his explicit permission, or even copying him on everything you post. (The fact that he is not ready to tell his adult children what he's dealing with is a flag that he might have concerns about who hears what when and how.)
After all, your first challenge is being a trustworthy companion in this unwanted journey, whatever it includes. All the best, and thank you for being alongside this brother in our unwanted fraternity.

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wow..thank you so much for this VERY VALUABLE thoughtful advise..the last thing I want to do is cause him extra stress....I have to remember that I am a person who easily puts my unfortunate personal business out front..it's my way of accepting, dealing, owning my issues..but I realize not everyone is like that at all..

i have one friend who announced it to the world her ovarian cancer and my other closest friend made me and one other lady promise to NEVER tell anyone she had cancer...and it has been 3 years to date she kept it secret..

my bf did thank me for encouraging him to tell his adult kids, who are very loving and he said were very grateful..they have agreed supported that if he does need treatment and is weak, etc., he can move in to my home because I work from home, am an empty nester. I can't work from his home due to my contract with my employer..this way I can help him get to doc visits, eat right etc..we have only been dating about 9 months...so my adult kids think it is a lot to take on, but I am ready to help him if he needs it..his kids are sweet, supportive and can visit 24/7..when he is able to drive he can go to his home and visit with his family

i am talking like he actually has cancer but there is a decent chance he does not have cancer..

he had his MRI on friday, and he wants to schedule his biopsy before hearing his MRI results..so he said he will try tomorrow..

last night when we hung out i did ask him about privacy and how he wanted or did not want to respond or give information to people IF he is going thru treatment that showed obvious exterior changes...so it was good to get that information from him

again thank you for wise advise..wishing you peace

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@chamblee54

This is personal, but went my PSA went up my normally - normal Libido was affected. It is an embarrassment when desire is affected.
I’d let the MRI play out and wait it out.
I can’t help you on the PSA. I’m having same issue. High of 6.7 and recently 3.6 and Dr had no explanation. My Treatment hasn’t started.

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thank you for sharing...will tell you that when a woman truly loves a man..the physical stuff is irrelevant..so i am not even concerned in the least about his ability or libido..etc..we do a lot of fun live activities that bring positive warm experiences to enrich our lives..and they have nothing to do with sex...etc..i realize it's easier for me to say since I am not a man..but this is how I feel if his libido etc. changes..wishing you peace

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@spino

On the relational side, (after all I am an MFT etc), I would encourage you to let him be in charge of his cancer, but respectfully and consistently be available to be alongside him, however he prefers. Obviously one of the things that may be happening is the triggering of memories of his previous traumatic journey alongside his wife.
Your own journey in coming to terms with this will likely start with your own history to this point, which may be quite different from his.
Also, please write everything here (on this public forum) in a way that if or when he reads it he will feel respected and not betrayed. It's his story to tell, even though you are part of the story. This might include not using names or identifying facts without his explicit permission, or even copying him on everything you post. (The fact that he is not ready to tell his adult children what he's dealing with is a flag that he might have concerns about who hears what when and how.)
After all, your first challenge is being a trustworthy companion in this unwanted journey, whatever it includes. All the best, and thank you for being alongside this brother in our unwanted fraternity.

Jump to this post

btw..i removed my photo to further protect his privacy..the name I use is not my legal name either..

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