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Do Elevated PSA Levels Indicate Cancer?

Posted on Wed, 11 Oct 2017

Question: My doctor gave me ciprofloxacin because of an elevated PSA. Unfortunately, this was over the phone and I didn't have a chance to question him about it. I am 67 and have had some urinary problems that I suspected were age related prostate associated. He said my prostate was mildly enlarged appropriate to my age, but today he phoned in prescriptions for cipro and Flomax. I am of course worried that if it's not bacterial it might be cancer. What should I look out for?

Answered by Dr. Dr. Ivan Romich (51 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Probably prostatitis

Detailed Answer:
Hi and welcome.
Well, elevated PSA may be sign of prostatitis, prostate hpertrophy or cancer. In most cases cause is benign and include infection or hypertrophy, especially if there is mild elevation of PSA. SO your doctor obviously has no doubt about it and he prescribed cipro.
However, I would suggest to do prostate ultrasound just to ease your mind and it will show if there is some suspicion of cancer ad then if necessary biopsy can be done.
WIsh you good health. Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Ivan Romich (52 minutes later)

How long can this persist without treatment and if the benign symptoms are tolerated, can the PSA go higher in the absence of treatment?

Answered by Dr. Dr. Ivan Romich (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
hi

Detailed Answer:
If this is tumor, then PSA will increase constantly.
If this is infection or benign issue, then it may heal on its own in 1-2 weeks. If you dont have symptoms you can "wait and see" but it is much better to treat this with antibiotics and check PSA in 1 week.
If this would still be high, you should do ultrasound.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D