Rising PSA cause for concern?

Terrapin69 Based upon personal experience as a patient and NOT as a medical professional your referral to a urologist is most likely a good decision.


Here is my story...
Over a period of several years I experienced a gradually rising PSA. Other than getting up occasionally 2 x a night to pee I had no other symptoms. My GP did not detect any irregularities during years of annual DREs. As far as he was concerned my rising PSA was most likely due an enlarging prostate. I also showed no indications of infection. After expressing some concerns at one point he gave in and said ok I "you might" want to visit with a urologist.


The follow digital examination by the urologist was far more intense. He found a lump on the back side of the prostate which he noted is easily missed by a GP doing a more casual exam. He also pointed out to me that a steady rising PSA should be checked and that there are no "magic numbers" that has to be reached prior to being referred to a urologist.


As a result of finding the lump a biopsy was ordered. The results of that test some 2 weeks later in January of 2013 revealed I was facing an aggressive prostate cancer in 2 locations. My GP was shocked.


In April of 2013 I underwent surgery to have my prostate removed. My cancer returned 5 years later and was treated with follow up radiation. Today I am in full remission.


I am involved in several mens support groups for prostate cancer and always stress to the men that while a General Practitioner is great for a wide variety of issues, they are called General Practitioners for a reason.


Making an appointment with a urologist for a steadying rising PSA just makes sense and just might save your life. Do keep us posted on your next steps. Dennis (ProstateCancer.net TEAM)

Thanks!

Hi . Just to follow up on what said, what your GP is probably responding to is what is known as the velocity of your PSA change. While your PSA is still pretty low, it has risen over 50% in the last year and half. In many ways your GP is to be commended for noticing the trend, rather than simply looking at the number. In addition, I always like when a GP is willing to turn to a doctor with more specialized training in an area. Our contributor Len wrote here about using specialists: https://prostatecancer.net/living/healthcare-specialist. There is no doubt that there are several potential causes for your change in PSA, particularly given your low numbers, but a urologist is better equipped to do the proper diagnostics. Wishing you the best and please feel free to keep us posted on how things are going. Richard (ProstateCancer.net Team)

At 55 my PSA came in at about 2.5. My PCP said he did not like that number for my age. He said if I were 80 he wouldn't be concerned. He referred me to a Urologist and sure enough I was diagnosed with a very low grade PC. I am currently on active surveillance. I recommend getting yourself checked by a Urologist. I hope all is well.