Cancer Research UK main site
  • Replies 2 replies
  • Views 672 views
  • Users 0 members are here

Prostate cancer and PSA

TallBoy
Offline

Hi

I was diagnosed a year ago with stage 1. PSA was 9. I had a MRI and biopsy. Of 42 cores, two were Gleason 3+3, and two were 3+4. Prostatitis was also found. I was prescribed Tamsulosin. I opted for Active Surveillance.

In Feb this year, PSA was 15.3. Urology suggested I take a month of antibiotics as it might be the prostatitis causing the rise. I did, then had another PSA test in May which came back at 16.1

I had another MRI a fortnight ago which showed no obvious change. I saw my consultant last week. He said I couldn't continue with Active Surveillance and had to opt for treatment. I could choose from external beam radiotherapy, brachytherapy or prostatectomy. 

I will admit to being worried about the effects of treatment. Maybe foolishly, or hopefully, I think I could be someone who will die with prostate cancer, not of it. (I'm 64.)

My question is, if my recent MRI shows no change from a year ago, does a rising PSA suggest the cancer is about to spread, or could there be another reason for that? 

Thanks everyone.

Parents
  • Offline

    Hello Catherine 

    Thank you for your reply, and for the links to resources on the website. I will have a look.

    Your suggestion to talk to a urology nurse is a good one. That is something my hospital offers, so I will do so.

    I think my concern is that my consultant is following protocol, but it may not be necessary in my case, especially as it appears true that PSA levels are not a definitive or accurate measure, and changes may have other causes than simply cancer. The MRI seems to me to me to be a far more reliable indicator. But what do I know? I'm just the patient.

    Thanks again for taking the time to reply in detail.

    All best wishes

    Peter

Reply
  • Offline

    Hello Catherine 

    Thank you for your reply, and for the links to resources on the website. I will have a look.

    Your suggestion to talk to a urology nurse is a good one. That is something my hospital offers, so I will do so.

    I think my concern is that my consultant is following protocol, but it may not be necessary in my case, especially as it appears true that PSA levels are not a definitive or accurate measure, and changes may have other causes than simply cancer. The MRI seems to me to me to be a far more reliable indicator. But what do I know? I'm just the patient.

    Thanks again for taking the time to reply in detail.

    All best wishes

    Peter

Children
No Data

Speak to a nurse

Quick links

Follow us

Registered with Fundraising Regulator (logo)
Cancer Research UK is a registered charity in England and Wales (1089464), Scotland (SC041666), the Isle of Man (1103) and Jersey (247). A company limited by guarantee. Registered company in England and Wales (4325234) and the Isle of Man (5713F). Registered address: 2 Redman Place, London, E20 1JQ.