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My Recent Blood Test Showed A PSA Of 6.2, Free
Question: My recent blood test showed a PSA of 6.2, free PSA at 16%. Three months ago it had jumped to 5.0, one week later down to 4.7, and two weeks after that 4.4. (Until 3 months ago, my PSA had been bouncing between 3 and 4 for about ten years and Free PSA around 18-20%.) The uro had me do a 4K test, and the result was 8 (meaning I have an 8% chance of having aggressive prostate cancer in the next 15 years). What I cannot understand is that during the 10 year period, I did get up a few times at night to pee, I did occasionally get that big urge to go. My flow generally had not been good. But in the last year or so, I get maybe once a night, my flow is fairly good, and i almost never get that big urge to go. In other words, my symptoms improved. Finally, three months ago the uro had my prostate measured, and it was huge, 176CC or roughly 4 times the size of a normal prostate. I see the uro on Thursday. Does cancer seem likely?
My recent blood test showed a PSA of 6.2, free PSA at 16%. Three months ago it had jumped to 5.0, one week later down to 4.7, and two weeks after that 4.4. (Until 3 months ago, my PSA had been bouncing between 3 and 4 for about ten years and Free PSA around 18-20%.) The uro had me do a 4K test, and the result was 8 (meaning I have an 8% chance of having aggressive prostate cancer in the next 15 years). What I cannot understand is that during the 10 year period, I did get up a few times at night to pee, I did occasionally get that big urge to go. My flow generally had not been good. But in the last year or so, I get maybe once a night, my flow is fairly good, and i almost never get that big urge to go. In other words, my symptoms improved. Finally, three months ago the uro had my prostate measured, and it was huge, 176CC or roughly 4 times the size of a normal prostate. I see the uro on Thursday. Does cancer seem likely?
Brief Answer:
It sounds like benign prostate hyperplasia
Detailed Answer:
Hi Dkurz,
Thank you for the elaborate history. The PSA levels, recent prostate measures (on ultrasound I presume), 4K and history of symptoms all combined makes me suspect benign prostate hyperplasia and not prostate cancer. However, it is a good idea to see the urologist just to have a second opinion.
Please let me know if you have further questions.
It sounds like benign prostate hyperplasia
Detailed Answer:
Hi Dkurz,
Thank you for the elaborate history. The PSA levels, recent prostate measures (on ultrasound I presume), 4K and history of symptoms all combined makes me suspect benign prostate hyperplasia and not prostate cancer. However, it is a good idea to see the urologist just to have a second opinion.
Please let me know if you have further questions.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
Brief Answer:
It sounds like benign prostate hyperplasia
Detailed Answer:
Hi Dkurz,
Thank you for the elaborate history. The PSA levels, recent prostate measures (on ultrasound I presume), 4K and history of symptoms all combined makes me suspect benign prostate hyperplasia and not prostate cancer. However, it is a good idea to see the urologist just to have a second opinion.
Please let me know if you have further questions.
It sounds like benign prostate hyperplasia
Detailed Answer:
Hi Dkurz,
Thank you for the elaborate history. The PSA levels, recent prostate measures (on ultrasound I presume), 4K and history of symptoms all combined makes me suspect benign prostate hyperplasia and not prostate cancer. However, it is a good idea to see the urologist just to have a second opinion.
Please let me know if you have further questions.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
Yes, I agree. My thoughts were initially BPH. But does the velocity seem like a concern? Of course, I do not know the size of my prostate over the last decade, so it
is hard to correlate the size to the many PSA values over the years. is it possible the prostate had a huge growing spurt (now that I am in my late 60's)?
is hard to correlate the size to the many PSA values over the years. is it possible the prostate had a huge growing spurt (now that I am in my late 60's)?
Yes, I agree. My thoughts were initially BPH. But does the velocity seem like a concern? Of course, I do not know the size of my prostate over the last decade, so it
is hard to correlate the size to the many PSA values over the years. is it possible the prostate had a huge growing spurt (now that I am in my late 60's)?
is hard to correlate the size to the many PSA values over the years. is it possible the prostate had a huge growing spurt (now that I am in my late 60's)?
Brief Answer:
That is possible
Detailed Answer:
Hi again Dkurz,
Apologies for the late reply. As you mention it is difficult to assess the exact growth of the prostate over time, but to me it seems highly suggestive of BPH and would be uncommon for a solitary cancer. A growth spurt is to be expected to some extent after the 50s and 60s.
Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have further questions.
That is possible
Detailed Answer:
Hi again Dkurz,
Apologies for the late reply. As you mention it is difficult to assess the exact growth of the prostate over time, but to me it seems highly suggestive of BPH and would be uncommon for a solitary cancer. A growth spurt is to be expected to some extent after the 50s and 60s.
Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have further questions.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Kampana
Brief Answer:
That is possible
Detailed Answer:
Hi again Dkurz,
Apologies for the late reply. As you mention it is difficult to assess the exact growth of the prostate over time, but to me it seems highly suggestive of BPH and would be uncommon for a solitary cancer. A growth spurt is to be expected to some extent after the 50s and 60s.
Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have further questions.
That is possible
Detailed Answer:
Hi again Dkurz,
Apologies for the late reply. As you mention it is difficult to assess the exact growth of the prostate over time, but to me it seems highly suggestive of BPH and would be uncommon for a solitary cancer. A growth spurt is to be expected to some extent after the 50s and 60s.
Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have further questions.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Kampana
Thanks again, Dr. C. I see the uro tomorrow. I will ask him to do a DRE and and take blood for another PSA reading. (Of course, I will have the blood taken first.) But is there anything I should not do prior to the blood sample? I know the obvious ones, no sex or ejaculation, no bike riding. But how about medium speed walking on a treadmill? Anything else?
Thanks again, Dr. C. I see the uro tomorrow. I will ask him to do a DRE and and take blood for another PSA reading. (Of course, I will have the blood taken first.) But is there anything I should not do prior to the blood sample? I know the obvious ones, no sex or ejaculation, no bike riding. But how about medium speed walking on a treadmill? Anything else?
Brief Answer:
That sounds good
Detailed Answer:
Hi again Dkurz,
Sorry for the delay in my response.
What you describe sounds very reasonable, I have nothing else to add at this moment.
How did it go at the Urologist?
Best wishes.
That sounds good
Detailed Answer:
Hi again Dkurz,
Sorry for the delay in my response.
What you describe sounds very reasonable, I have nothing else to add at this moment.
How did it go at the Urologist?
Best wishes.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Arnab Banerjee
Brief Answer:
That sounds good
Detailed Answer:
Hi again Dkurz,
Sorry for the delay in my response.
What you describe sounds very reasonable, I have nothing else to add at this moment.
How did it go at the Urologist?
Best wishes.
That sounds good
Detailed Answer:
Hi again Dkurz,
Sorry for the delay in my response.
What you describe sounds very reasonable, I have nothing else to add at this moment.
How did it go at the Urologist?
Best wishes.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Arnab Banerjee
He took blood and will have the results on Tuesday. However, I went to Cyberscan, a service that reads frequencies in the body. I mentioned to check the prostate. It read, "Prostate cancer metastasis to penis." I see that it is very rare, but it also petty much signals the end. Obviously, my depression has deepened. (The funny thing is that it never actually read "Prostate cancer.") What symptoms would be prevalent if it has gone to the penis? So far no blood in the urine, no pain when urinating. I do get tired, but that might be a result of broken sleep, and I do get night sweats. The person that runs the Cyberscan clinic said it could be as little as one cell giving off that frequency, but that did not make feel any better, as one cell can become trillions. Finally, I want to do an MRI, but the uro said that won't help that much and I should go right to biopsy. The MRI people said at the very least it can "map" the prostate for a more accurate biopsy. Any thoughts or words that can calm me down? Thanks.
He took blood and will have the results on Tuesday. However, I went to Cyberscan, a service that reads frequencies in the body. I mentioned to check the prostate. It read, "Prostate cancer metastasis to penis." I see that it is very rare, but it also petty much signals the end. Obviously, my depression has deepened. (The funny thing is that it never actually read "Prostate cancer.") What symptoms would be prevalent if it has gone to the penis? So far no blood in the urine, no pain when urinating. I do get tired, but that might be a result of broken sleep, and I do get night sweats. The person that runs the Cyberscan clinic said it could be as little as one cell giving off that frequency, but that did not make feel any better, as one cell can become trillions. Finally, I want to do an MRI, but the uro said that won't help that much and I should go right to biopsy. The MRI people said at the very least it can "map" the prostate for a more accurate biopsy. Any thoughts or words that can calm me down? Thanks.
Also, the DRE was normal.
Also, the DRE was normal.
Brief Answer:
Do not trust Cyberscan
Detailed Answer:
Hi again Dkurz,
In my opinion, Cyberscan is a hoax and has absolutely nothing to do with healthcare. A penile metastasis from prostate cancer is extremely rare. I can almost guarantee you that you do not have this metastasis as Cyberscan is a complete hoax. No device is sensitive enough to detect a single cancerous cell in the body, that is a complete lie. Symptoms of penile cancer are usually a wound that will not heal or perhaps a burning sensation while peeing (although this can also be caused by many other things).
I think that a transrectal ultrasound with biopsies seems like the right way to go. MRI is probably more useful if the urologist finds signs of cancer so that any local spread can be detected.
Hope this helps. Please do not hesitate to write again if you have further questions.
Do not trust Cyberscan
Detailed Answer:
Hi again Dkurz,
In my opinion, Cyberscan is a hoax and has absolutely nothing to do with healthcare. A penile metastasis from prostate cancer is extremely rare. I can almost guarantee you that you do not have this metastasis as Cyberscan is a complete hoax. No device is sensitive enough to detect a single cancerous cell in the body, that is a complete lie. Symptoms of penile cancer are usually a wound that will not heal or perhaps a burning sensation while peeing (although this can also be caused by many other things).
I think that a transrectal ultrasound with biopsies seems like the right way to go. MRI is probably more useful if the urologist finds signs of cancer so that any local spread can be detected.
Hope this helps. Please do not hesitate to write again if you have further questions.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Nagamani Ng
Brief Answer:
Do not trust Cyberscan
Detailed Answer:
Hi again Dkurz,
In my opinion, Cyberscan is a hoax and has absolutely nothing to do with healthcare. A penile metastasis from prostate cancer is extremely rare. I can almost guarantee you that you do not have this metastasis as Cyberscan is a complete hoax. No device is sensitive enough to detect a single cancerous cell in the body, that is a complete lie. Symptoms of penile cancer are usually a wound that will not heal or perhaps a burning sensation while peeing (although this can also be caused by many other things).
I think that a transrectal ultrasound with biopsies seems like the right way to go. MRI is probably more useful if the urologist finds signs of cancer so that any local spread can be detected.
Hope this helps. Please do not hesitate to write again if you have further questions.
Do not trust Cyberscan
Detailed Answer:
Hi again Dkurz,
In my opinion, Cyberscan is a hoax and has absolutely nothing to do with healthcare. A penile metastasis from prostate cancer is extremely rare. I can almost guarantee you that you do not have this metastasis as Cyberscan is a complete hoax. No device is sensitive enough to detect a single cancerous cell in the body, that is a complete lie. Symptoms of penile cancer are usually a wound that will not heal or perhaps a burning sensation while peeing (although this can also be caused by many other things).
I think that a transrectal ultrasound with biopsies seems like the right way to go. MRI is probably more useful if the urologist finds signs of cancer so that any local spread can be detected.
Hope this helps. Please do not hesitate to write again if you have further questions.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Nagamani Ng
The PSA from last Thursday's blood draw was 5.8 and the free was 22.5% Better than 6.2 and 16% from May 1st. Of course, starting on May 2nd as soon as I heard about the 6.2, I have gone fanatically super healthy, eating almost 100% plant based and turned up the exercise . Considering I have tremendous prostate (176cc, yes, via ultrasound), the density in and of itself is good. My fear is the velocity, having gone from 4.4 four months ago to 5.8. There is a new type of MRI that requires no prep, so doing that couldn't hurt. Is the velocity a huge concern? Thanks again.
The PSA from last Thursday's blood draw was 5.8 and the free was 22.5% Better than 6.2 and 16% from May 1st. Of course, starting on May 2nd as soon as I heard about the 6.2, I have gone fanatically super healthy, eating almost 100% plant based and turned up the exercise . Considering I have tremendous prostate (176cc, yes, via ultrasound), the density in and of itself is good. My fear is the velocity, having gone from 4.4 four months ago to 5.8. There is a new type of MRI that requires no prep, so doing that couldn't hurt. Is the velocity a huge concern? Thanks again.
Brief Answer:
Velocity not a concern
Detailed Answer:
Hi again Dkurz,
Seeing that the urologist does not suspect cancer, I would not worry about the rather rapid increase in PSA, it can easily be explained by BPH. If the urologist was satisfied with the ultrasound, there is no need for an MRI in my mind. Did he do random biopsies of your prostate?
Best wishes.
Velocity not a concern
Detailed Answer:
Hi again Dkurz,
Seeing that the urologist does not suspect cancer, I would not worry about the rather rapid increase in PSA, it can easily be explained by BPH. If the urologist was satisfied with the ultrasound, there is no need for an MRI in my mind. Did he do random biopsies of your prostate?
Best wishes.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
Brief Answer:
Velocity not a concern
Detailed Answer:
Hi again Dkurz,
Seeing that the urologist does not suspect cancer, I would not worry about the rather rapid increase in PSA, it can easily be explained by BPH. If the urologist was satisfied with the ultrasound, there is no need for an MRI in my mind. Did he do random biopsies of your prostate?
Best wishes.
Velocity not a concern
Detailed Answer:
Hi again Dkurz,
Seeing that the urologist does not suspect cancer, I would not worry about the rather rapid increase in PSA, it can easily be explained by BPH. If the urologist was satisfied with the ultrasound, there is no need for an MRI in my mind. Did he do random biopsies of your prostate?
Best wishes.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
Once again, thank you for your continued help and support. It has really helped. The ultrasound she (the PA) did was simply to measure the size of the prostate. There was no biopsy. The urologist thinks it's PROBABLY all BPH related, but he did say if the blood results indicates so, a biopsy will be in order. I had the MRI this morning. At the very least they (the MRI people) said it can give a road map to the prostate, so the uro will know exactly from where to take the samples. I will hear the result of the MRI Tuesday afternoon, followed by the Uro appointment on Thursday.
Once again, thank you for your continued help and support. It has really helped. The ultrasound she (the PA) did was simply to measure the size of the prostate. There was no biopsy. The urologist thinks it's PROBABLY all BPH related, but he did say if the blood results indicates so, a biopsy will be in order. I had the MRI this morning. At the very least they (the MRI people) said it can give a road map to the prostate, so the uro will know exactly from where to take the samples. I will hear the result of the MRI Tuesday afternoon, followed by the Uro appointment on Thursday.
Does having BPH make me more prone to cancer?
Does having BPH make me more prone to cancer?
Brief Answer:
Not to an extent that is worrisome
Detailed Answer:
Hi again Dkurz,
What did the blood tests and uro say? BPH and prostate cancer share some risk factors, but it is not to an extent that should worry you.
Looking forward to hearing from you.
Not to an extent that is worrisome
Detailed Answer:
Hi again Dkurz,
What did the blood tests and uro say? BPH and prostate cancer share some risk factors, but it is not to an extent that should worry you.
Looking forward to hearing from you.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
Brief Answer:
Not to an extent that is worrisome
Detailed Answer:
Hi again Dkurz,
What did the blood tests and uro say? BPH and prostate cancer share some risk factors, but it is not to an extent that should worry you.
Looking forward to hearing from you.
Not to an extent that is worrisome
Detailed Answer:
Hi again Dkurz,
What did the blood tests and uro say? BPH and prostate cancer share some risk factors, but it is not to an extent that should worry you.
Looking forward to hearing from you.
Note: Consult a Urologist online for consultation about prostate and bladder problems, sexual dysfunction, kidney stones, prostate enlargement, urinary incontinence, impotence and erectile dysfunction - Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
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