Dear Doctor, I am 58 years old and have been getting annual PSA tests for 10 years - always tested in Nov-Dec of the year. (My father had Prostate Cancer.) My PSA levels between 1997 and 2003 were between 1.7 and 2.1. In 2004 and 2005 they were at 2.8, and back to 2.4 in Dec. 2006. My DRE always showed slightly enlarged prostate, but no lumps. Then in August 2007, my PSA spiked to 9.34. My Family doctor suggested monitoring it. In Sept it was 6.82, Oct = 5.93, Nov = 5.76 and Febr 2008 = 3.67. My Family doctor recommends to continue to monitoring my PSA at 3-4 month intervals. Should I be concerned and taking more aggressive action? Is this normal to see such wide swings in PSA levels?
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Concerned about a spike in PSA level
2/22/08 4:51pm
Hello rplundberg
I am not a doctor, but I did look around on health central and found some information that you might find helpful. This is not to take the place of a doctor's advice. Only your doctor knows what is best for you, but you might find this to be helpful when you see your doctor to make sure you ask all the right questions. Has your doctor confirmed cancer or just the high PSA's? For those people with high psa's but no confirmation of cancer, folks are being prescribed antibiotics.
User JBS had a similar situation except he was diagnosed with cancer, which he outlined here in this posting. Several other users weighed in on their experiences as well. Note JBS said that the doctor recommended surgery which he refused and that turned out to be a good idea because there was a chance his cancer would spread. Instead JBS had radiation treatments and was given the hormone Depo-lupron.
Dr. Greenstein one of the resident experts here, has a posting here about high PSA's without the diagnosis of Cancer. It's a very interesting read. Dr Greenstein also has a posting here about the quick rise of PSA's.
I hope this information is helpful to you. Just remember, there are alot of folks here who are living with the same conditions, or similar condition that you are living with, so you are not alone. You have lots of friends here. If you are having a good day, let us know! But also let us know if you are having a challenging day and just want to vent. Perhaps someone has some advice that will make it better for you.
Take care and stay in touch and let us know how you are doing!
Vicki M
3/13/08 12:21pm
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Dear Doctor,
I have been treated by Ext. Radiotion. After treatment my PSA settled
at 0.93. It has been rising over the past few years to around 6.
I am 75 yrs. old and need to know what you recommend? My doctor says
just wait and see. I do not think that is right.
Aloha, Manuel Silva (808)877-6084 Hawaii
http://www.healthcentral.com/prostate/c/122/7937/life-high-psa/
They say PSA levels typically increase with age, and "normal" for men in their 70's is up to 6.5. See the Dr Greenberg article on age-related PSA levels at the above link.
Given that, ongoing monitoring of PSA levels as suggested by your doctor who knows all your other info, seems like a reasonable course of action.