HealthCareMagic is now Ask A Doctor - 24x7 | https://www.askadoctor24x7.com

What Does My PSA Test Result Indicate?

Posted on Mon, 13 Jul 2015

Question: Just got my PSA test results from my annual physical. Level jumped from less than 1 to 9 in one year. Headed for more tests. Obviously concern level is very high. Are there other issues that could be contributing to this increase other than cancer? Going to be a long two weeks till my next appointment.

Answered by Dr. Pavan Kumar Gupta (42 minutes later)

Brief answer..a raised PSA doesn't mean the presence of prostate cancer.
Detailed answer...
Hello,
Thanks for the query.
I have read your query and understand your concern.
PSA is a protein produced by the prostate gland.
Raised PSA does suggest that there is some problem with your prostate,however in no way it means prostate cancer only.
There are many conditions which result in raised levels of PSA like..
Infection of prostate called as PROSTATITIS
Simple enlargement of prostate gland
Prostate cancer
Datas suggest that around 75% of people found to have high PSA were not having prostate cancer.
Just relax and don't worry as it would most likely to be a just benign enlargement of prostate called as BPH,a common problem faced by most of men above the age of 50 years.
Get the other tests done to arrive at the proper diagnosis.
I hope it helps,however you are most welcome to revert to me for any further query.
Best of luck
Thanks

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj

Follow up: Dr. Pavan Kumar Gupta (1 hour later)

Thanks for your detailed response. Couple other symptoms I should have included include: sudden need to Urinate; getting up several times a night to go to the bath room and also some urine leakage during the day. No one in my direct family has had prostate cancer except one uncle who was in his late 70's who lived into his 80's.

Answered by Dr. Pavan Kumar Gupta (8 hours later)

Hello,
Your symptoms are typical of prostate enlargement which generally occurs in BPH ( benign prostatic hypertrophy ).Get on with other tests with your urologist to rule out the doubt of prostate cancer which always arises whenever PSA rises,however 75% chances are that it is not malignant.
Thanks

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad

Follow up: Dr. Pavan Kumar Gupta (8 hours later)

Thanks again for your reply. Assuming the only way to rule out a malignancy is a biopsy. Slept well last night....your answers really helped.

Answered by Dr. Pavan Kumar Gupta (5 minutes later)

Hello,
yes,Biopsy is the best method to rule out malignancy.
Wish you all the best.
You are most welcome to ask any query anytime.
Thanks

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Shanthi.E

Follow up: Dr. Pavan Kumar Gupta (12 hours later)

What would be the treatment regime for BPH and does having BPH indicate concern about future health of the prostate?

Answered by Dr. Pavan Kumar Gupta (2 hours later)

Hello,
Treatment depends upon the severity of your symptoms.It ranges from medical option to surgery. Surgery is reserved for either very severe symptoms or in those patients who stop responding to medical therapy.People with moderate symptoms can be managed well with medications.
A person with BPH might develop few complications like bladder stones,urine retention or kidney damage etc.It is not possible to predict who will develop complication and who will not.As such BPH doesn't pose any serious risk to your health except kidney damage.
Thanks

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Pavan Kumar Gupta (45 hours later)

Dr. XXXXXXX

One last question before I close this out. Does family history play a significant role in the risk of developing a serious prostate disease? As noted earlier, very limited track record , in the last two/three generations, of this developing into a major illness in our family. Sometimes it hard to understand how changes can happen so sudden given prior history of great results.

Thanks for all your help.
XXXXXXX

Answered by Dr. Pavan Kumar Gupta (3 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Hello, Most of the prostate cancer patients don't have any family history a

Detailed Answer:

Hello,
Most of the prostate cancer patients don't have any family history and most prostate cancers are not caused by inherited cancer genes,however it can run in families sometimes.In families where more men have been diagnosed with prostate cancer,they have been found to be younger in age and very closely related.This does suggest that there is some family link but it can not be said very conclusively.
Thanks

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. Chakravarthy Mazumdar