Asymmetry?

rugger · New User Joined: 17 Sep 2009 Posts: 2

Hi all
Looks like I'm starting the prostate cancer drill at 49. Last week, I went to a proctologist for what I thought were hemorrhoids (had them before), but he said that roids looked ok, and that itching I was having was due to stress or something else, it has since subsided. But he also did a DRE, and said he felt something I should have checked out.

Needless to say, I sorta freaked. Made an appt with the uro in 2 weeks, in interim, went to my primary care to get referral for psa. He too did a DRE, and although he admitted he wasn't trained as a uro, he said he didn't feel anything overly suspicious, but what he called asymmetry. I felt a little better, but then did some more research and found that that too can be an indicator of cancer. So have been on quite a roller coaster of emotions last week.

The PSA results came back at 0.27, which he said was a great result, my PSA in '07 was 0.23. So no change there, and that gave me a bit of relief.

The thing that still keeps me up though, is that I notice soreness on my left hip/bum area. I am an avid cyclist (100 miles/wk), so I thought this was either due to hemorrhoids or overuse/exertion on my connective tissue, not a bone pain. Now I'm wondering if this is a sign that it is prostate related.

Would anyone care to offer comments? Could cycling cause the asymmetry? Is my PSA a hopeful sign?

Thanks, and best wishes to all.

Hawk · Senior User Joined: 22 Nov 2006 Posts: 425

I know of NO studies that indicate cycling can cause asymmetry however rough riding can elevate PSA and irritate the prostate.

Your PSA is very encouraging but keep an eye on it. I hesitate to mention this since I sense you may be overly concerned but some aggressive prostate cancers produce little PSA. They are relatively rare.

It is VERY unlikely you are getting any pain from prostate cancer since that only occurs after advanced spread of the disease. It is probably wise to have an experienced urologist do a digital exam however.
_________________
History: PSA's 6.7 neg. biopsy - PSA 16.6 neg. biopsy - PSA's 8.2, 8.1, 8.7 - Biopsy. 4+4 Gleason 8. Lap RP Apr 2004, age 52 All neg margins, nodes, and structures. (T2a). Post RP PSA: every 6 mo. <.1 until Feb, 08 (46 mos) PSA .1 - I then got sensitive tests (all in 2008) showing:
Feb .06, May .09, Jun .10, Aug .10, Nov .15 -SRT

Jean222 · Senior User Joined: 14 Dec 2008 Posts: 262

Your hip/bum pain may be nerve pain or a bursitis, that's my best guess.

If it's fairly diffuse, it's more likely to be inflammation of the bursa in the hip area.

The best test? Lay off/cut back on your cycling for a few days or a week and see if it improves. I know, hard to do~~~but it's worth finding out, isn't it?

Like Hawk, I doubt very much that it has anything to do with the prostate.

Best wishes,

Jean

srtimmons · Posted: Sun Sep 20, 2009 2:27 pm Post subject: Low PSA

Prostate cancer does not ALWAYS cause an elevation of PSA, so don't think that just beacuse you have a low PSA, all is good. It probably is, but not certain.

You have two DREs with conflicting results. I definitely would see another Uro and have him do another DRE and maybe an ultra sound.

If he says its OK, then I'd rest easier.

Just my opinion.

Good luck.
_________________
Age 58
Dx 6/15/2009; PSA 7.1; 7/12 cores positive; Gleason 6 (3+3) and 7 (3+4); PNI observed. Bone Scan and CT scan negative.
Robotic RP 7/20/2009

Path report 8/11/2009 - clean margins, negative lymph nodes, negative seminal vesicles, Gleason 3+4, Stage T2c; 15% of prostate involved; NoMx.

PSA .006 September 2009
PSA .005 November 2009
PSA .005 February 2010

rugger · New User Joined: 17 Sep 2009 Posts: 2

Hi all
thought I would give an update after my appointment with my urologist.

His exam and review of information available let to a preliminarily benign diagnosis (PSA 0.27). He said the prostate felt ok, what he suspected he felt and what others had noticed was an enlargement in the vas deferens on the right side. He thought that this condition was not unusual, just the way some people develop, apparently. He gave me what felt like a fairly thorough exam, because it seemed like he had his finger inserted for almost a full minute, but I'm sure it was not that long.

So I am scheduled to have another PSA and exam in 6 months, keeping my fingers crossed.

I asked about the possibility of a false negative, and his opinion was that mine was so low, and combined with the exam, that the probasbility of this being the case was extremely low.

He also confirmed that cycling would not have caused this enlargement, and does not seem to be an influencing factor on prostate conditions.

I post this in case anyone else has similair symptoms, and had to endure the anxiety that I did.

As a cyclist, I am inspired by and a supporter of Lance Armstrong, through his Livestrong foundation, and wear the yellow bracelet prominently and proudly. I will also seek out benefit rides and charities to raise money for those of you who are not as fortunate as I am (this time at least). With PC, it's almost a matter if not if, but when.

Best thoughts and wishes for you all, and thank you for the responses.

John D

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