Low PSA?

Skip · New User Joined: 27 Aug 2006 Posts: 1

I have a question about PSA scores. I've been having symptoms recently that are reminiscent of past prostate infections that were always treated with antibiotics. I went to my doctor this week and he did a PSA test and DRE. He said my prostate felt boggy. The PSA results came back as low (.5), and I thought I could breathe a little easier. But in reading various websites, I came across a few very alarming articles saying that people with low PSA scores could indeed still have prostate cancer. Am I reading this correctly? This was very alarming. I am on antibiotics and anti-inflammatory medicine, and see a little improvement in the symptoms, though not all. I'm looking for other people's understanding of PSA. My fear is that I may have an aggressive form of the disease that may have spread, but I'm not even sure if this is reasonable. Please help me think through this. Thanks.

johnw100 · Posted: Sun Aug 27, 2006 6:57 pm Post subject: Low PSA?

RATE OF INCREASE in PSA is what causes concerns, rather than an individual number.

I don't think there's a "normal" PSA figure like 4 which some suggest: it depends on age, size of the prostate etc.

If someone had fairly constant readings of say 2 then got a result of 3.5 or 4 it would need further investigation or at least close checking.

DRE: any lumps or bumps or hard areas on the prostate are usually the worry, and I'd imagine he would have told you if that was the case.

Hope this sounds logical.

John

apprentice · New User Joined: 07 Jul 2006 Posts: 4

I just posted under screen name apprentice, that I had a low PSA of 0.6, and my prostate had an area of firmness as determined by a colon/rectal surgeon as suspicious of cancer. A urologist later stated this area of firmness was not necessarily suspicious of cancer. The DRE exam is subject to interpretation depending on the experience of the doctor. In my case, we followed up with a transrectal ultrasound which showed no cancer.

If you are concerned, get your prostate checked by an expert urologist. He will interpret the DRE exam from significant experience. Ask for a transrectal ultrasound. It will show for sure. It is quick, painless, and nothing at all.

frank · New User Joined: 02 Sep 2006 Posts: 1

i had a psa of 1.8. prostate size of 17cc. age 42

ultra sound showed nothing. dre nothing. the last test, the biopsy showed t1c less than 5% on 1 of 12.

i do not think the test are as reliable as they make them seem.

apprentice · New User Joined: 07 Jul 2006 Posts: 4

It sounds like Frank has an early cancer if not seen on the ultrasound. In any event, stop fretting, worrying, and waiting. See the urologist. Get some simple tests (up to the biopsy which I have not experienced). My ultrasound took minutes. I fell asleep as they were doing it. Find out for sure.

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