OK Guys... let's talk PSA

Thank you all for your candid responses... Needless to say, I am concerned... however we have already talked about it... If it's cancer, the gland goes.. No if ands or buts.. He will have the surgery.
 

Josiah said:
One other question Lon. They were able to determine it was an aggressive form of cancer from the biopsy analyses?
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The tissue that is taken from the different parts of the Prostate Gland is examined by the Pathologist and given a Gleason Score to the affected tissues. As I recall, a Gleason score of say 5.4 would be less serious than say mine at 9.5. I think the Gleason Score only goes to 12 as I recall. I will have to Google to confirm.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prostate_cancer_staging
 
QuickSilver said:
Thank you all for your candid responses... Needless to say, I am concerned... however we have already talked about it... If it's cancer, the gland goes.. No if ands or buts.. He will have the surgery.
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QS, don't make up your mind so soon. Lon certainly made the right decision, but that was based on his knowing his cancer was aggressive. Many prostate cancers are very slow growing and a better decision might be to do nothing. Lon's case was 25 years ago. Doctors are much better able to determine the long range risks today than they were in 1990.
 

Josiah said:
QS, don't make up your mind so soon. Lon certainly made the right decision, but that was based on his knowing his cancer was aggressive. Many prostate cancers are very slow growing and a better decision might be to do nothing. Lon's case was 25 years ago. Doctors are much better able to determine the long range risks today than they were in 1990.
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Of course you are right..... it's just the word "cancer" brings a pretty strong reflex..
 
It's my understanding that almost 100% of men that have been autopsied after age 90, show some degree of Prostate Cancer, but died of something unrelated.
 
Hubby just saw his urologist. His prostate feels benign on exam, however is does have that gradual rise in PSA. He was given 3 options

1. Repeat PSA in 3 months

2. A two week course of antibiotics and then repeat PSA in 2 months (rise in PSA could be from asymptomatic prostatitis)

3. Go ahead and do a biopsy now.

He was told there is a 1 in 3 chance of prostate cancer.. but there is no risk in waiting.. so he chose to do option #2.. and if the PSA is still elevated, than go ahead with the biopsy..

Doctor told him to stay away from "Dr. Google"..... and not worry.
 
Sounds like a good decision. I don't agree with counseling against the internet. If I'm concerned with a health issue I join a FB group who members share my concern and I selectively read a weeks worth of posts and when I'm done I've obtained a good perspective on that condition and my relationship to it. I think you got some useful information from this thread and we're just a few old farts.
 
Apparently, the doctors at Medicare don't believe in PSA tests, because they turn them down. They should revise the Medicare Manual which implies men over 50 should have the test.
 
Josiah said:
Sounds like a good decision. I don't agree with counseling against the internet. If I'm concerned with a health issue I join a FB group who members share my concern and I selectively read a weeks worth of posts and when I'm done I've obtained a good perspective on that condition and my relationship to it. I think you got some useful information from this thread and we're just a few old farts.
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I agree.... and I will still check the internet.... I really appreciate all the information you guys.. provide..
 

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