newbie question

Soxx, there are very few yes or no answers when it comes to Prostate cancer. There can be some Prostate cancers that give if very little PSA, thus low counts. With that said, a PAA in the 4 range makes it quite likely that IF (BIG IF) you have PCa, it would be early.
There are many things that a high PSA can be caused by besides PCa

Thanks for the info. This is really eating on me. And you are right I need to stop thinking about it. The more time goes by the more I think about it.

Soxx,

You are generally, sorta kinda mostly right... usually. Guys who have cancer that is both aggressive and advanced -- guys whose cancer has already spread to their bones -- tend to have higher PSA scores than you are talking about. So there's that. And guys who have cancer that isn't very aggressive won't tend to have very much of it with that sort of PSA. But, because you never get to really know anything with prostate cancer there are a couple of gotchas. As the guys have been saying there are lots of things that can give you that sort of PSA that aren't cancer at all. So you may not have cancer. Most biopsies are negative so you probably don't. On the other hand, the most aggressive cancers -- the ones with high Gleason scores -- don't make much PSA and you can have a rip-roaring Gleason 9 tumor with that PSA.

Best to wait for the results. Then you might know something.

soxx-

Why are you having a biopsy? It's not just because of one PSA in the 4 range, is it? Did he feel something when he stuck his finger in there? Are you young? family history? African-American? Have a small prostate? Had a series of increasing PSAs over the years?

- Allen

Ah- that explains it. A lump can be anything - a cyst or a calcification are common findings - but best to check it out. Make sure you ask for a periprostatic nerve block. You'll have very bloody semen for a few weeks after - kinda shocking if you don't expect it. Also there may be a bit of blood from your butt and in your urine, but that usually goes away quickly.

- Allen

Hang in there soxx, you won't know much until after the biopsy. Everyone here is willing to help, so you always have someone to "talk" to. Hopefully it's nothing to be alarmed over. The biopsy, although not fun, isn't too bad and is over pretty quick. Prepare yourself for some blood in the urine for a little while afterward and blood in the semen (that's the most alarming part, but natural and harmless). It will take a few days to get your biopsy results, and the waiting game can be nerve racking. Pop in here with any questions. Here's hoping it's no big deal.

Mike

Well off for my biopsy shortly. I have to say a bit nervous.

Well back from the biopsy. A little uncomfortable but not unbearable. I asked if he could tell any thing from the exam and he said he could see a little something in the area that he could feel something. Now I'm a little worried. All I can do is hope for the best.

Glad to hear you got through that. There isn't much they can really tell until they get the samples under the microscope, but if he felt a lump I am sure he got a sample of it for the pathologist - which is good.

It's a difficult thing to sit there and wait for the results.

Hang in there and no matter the results you'll make it through. I suspect that even if you get bad news, it won't be as bad as you might be fearing right now,
Andrew

Well I guess I'm a new member also. Psa 4.6 he said I had a Gleason score of 6 and one of 7 I will get the results and post them. Now I need to make a decision on treatment. I have to have a decision by April 6th my next appointment but ad of now I'm leaning towards surgery.

Soxx, I might be the first, but I am sure I won't be the last to say this.

As a Gleason 6 in only one core out of seven you do not have to be in a hurry to make a decision. Unless there are other factors that we don't know. For instance a family history of Pca.

Gleason 6 in a 1 out 7 biopsy is a PRIME Candidate for AS. Active Surveillance. There is no need to rush into anything. There is plenty of time to research, learn, seek counsel and make an informed decision.

Just my two cents and for what it's worth, after being on this board for 5.5 years.

Sonny

Sorry to hear about your diagnosis. It really sucks to hear that. But...

You have several months to make a decision. Since you have an non-aggressive cancer, you have the luxury of time to learn about treatment options and talk to different experts. There's no way I would put pressure on myself to make a decision in three weeks. There will always be time to schedule surgery if that's the path you take.

Here's what I recommend that you do: first, send your biopsy slides to John Hopkins for a second opinion. It's easy to do and it's best to have them read by people that are experts in this. The sticky at the top of the page explains how.

Next, find experts in areas other than surgery (your uro is a surgeon) and learn about brachytherapy and SBRT. If you tell us where you're located, we can likely make recommendations for you.

With your diagnosis, pretty much any treatment will cure you so think about which set of SEs you can tolerate best. Unfortunately, all treatments have them. You only get one shot at a primary treatment, so please take your time!

Good luck to you and let us know how we can help.