? re; low psa and still having Pc

I have been reading people heres info and it seems alot of guys here had PSA's below the number 4 which is supposed to be normal for over 50 but they still had the prostate removed and had cancer.

Why ?

CVC,
Currently a PSA of 4 is a signal for further investigation.However at a recent local prostate group meeting we were given an address by a pathology lab doctor. He stated that this was being revised and the new guidelines will reduce this to a PSA reading of 2.5 . PSA is just a guide ..................changes in PSA readings are as important as the reading itself. For example a PSA reading one year of 1 followed the following year by a PSA of 2 is a cause for concern.....although well within the current limits it has in fact doubled and should be investigated. That is why it is important to know your actual readings rather than accept the bland "the reading is fine for your age". The younger you are generally the lower the readings should be. Also not all PCa will produce the same levels of PSA. Some cancers will not produce largely elevated readings at least not early in the piece. It is , unfortunately, not an exact science.
Bill

cvc

There are more options becoming available.  I think most people think of surgery to just get the cancer out of their body.  Sometimes that works but sometimes it does not.  I guess to be honest there is no 100 percent certain way.  I think there are 3 aspects to treatment; financial, emotional, and physical. The individual needs to deal with all three of these and then after much research make a decision as to what treatment he will take. 

There are many here and vertually every option was choosen by someone who will be glad to respond to any questions you might have.

My final choice was proton but I am getting a 3 fer.  Hormone therapy to starve the sucker, Photon Conventional radiation to try and target any cancer outside the prostate, and finally 17 dose of Proton to the prostate and a suspect lymph node.  We, my wife and I, feel very comfortable that we made the right choice and look forward to completing treatment and getting on with watching our 12 grand kids and soon to be first great grand child grow to adulthood.

You have come to a great place for support and information.

You could not ask for a greater group of people who are going down the same path as you and dealing with it each and every day.

The best to you and yours

Richard

cvc-

I could be wrong (I was wrong once before - 1973, I think, sometime around September), but I think the saw palmetto may artificially lower your PSA reading. Suggest you Google it and/or check with your urologist.

-Les

Wouldn't hurt to remind him that you're taking it and ask if it might influence the results. Or....I might be hallucinating again and there is no effect.

-Les

Google: saw palmetto psa and start reading.

-Les

American Cncer Society and others say no effect, I believe my Uroligest said same thing

To answer the first question about why some of us elect to have our prostate removed when there are other options.

Simply stated I elected to go with the technique with the longest track record.  Proton beam radiation sounds great but what are the long term risks?  I looking at a 40+ year window.

Roger

Gordy,

I really hate to correct you, but it was October 1972 instead of September 1973 when you were wrong the last time.  You predicted that Oakland would beat Cincinatti in five games for the World Series instead of seven. 

You've never been wrong since then.

Barry

Roger, now I am really confused you say " a psa of 1.5 is high for a 42 year old"

In my other post I was linked to this site and read what they say is normal for 42 year old.

Does normal PSA vary with age?

Age	PSA Level (ng/ml)
40-49	2.5
50-59	3.5
60-69	4.5
70-79	6.5

So what is the real story. It shows 40-49 2.5 ??????

So Selmer, if you were me and your PSA went from .99 to another number when I go next week ( which is a year since it was .99) what number would it have to go to to get you nervous ?

My PSA was .82 in 2/06 and .99 in 9/07 is there a chance it will be lower ??

Here is the numbers and dates

1/2000   .4

5/02     .5

7/03    .38

2/06  .82

9/07  .99

I hope it comes back the same or lower as everyone does probably. He still thinks I may have BPH or something.

I do have some discomfort sitting on a hard seat, may be hemroids ???

I get up maybe once a night unless I drink alot before going to bed then probably twice. I am 49 yrs old

You are right, its terrible to be this paranoid it is making me sick.

eaiser said then done.... I know what you are saying though