What are prostate cancer care methods after rise in PSA?

Question

Hello doctor,

I am a 52-year-old man awaiting biopsy results after an alarming PSA spike from 2.3 to 6.5 in six months. I have been experiencing frequent night urination (four to five times), persistent lower back pain, and unexplained weight loss (15 pounds in three months).

My father had aggressive prostate cancer at 60, which adds to my anxiety. The waiting period is affecting my work. I cannot focus. My wife noticed blood in my urine twice last week, but I did not mention this during the biopsy.

I need to understand what these symptoms and numbers indicate. I am currently taking medications for high blood pressure and diabetes. The uncertainty is overwhelming our family. Please help interpret these changes.

Please help.

Thank you.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I understand your concern.

For men in their 40s and 50s, a PSA (prostate-specific antigen test) score above 2.5 ng/ml is considered abnormal. Also, a PSA score may be considered abnormal if it rises a certain amount in a single year.

Prostate cancer presents with:

Difficulty starting urination.
Weak or interrupted flow of urine.
Frequent urination, especially at night (more than three times per night).
Trouble emptying the bladder.
Pain or burning during urination.
Blood in urine or semen.
Bone or pelvic pain.

Taking into consideration your already mentioned symptoms, results, and positive family history, this means an increased risk of prostate cancer.

Additional BPH (benign prostatic hyperplasia) could be present, and the biopsy result will clear out the diagnosis.

The Probable causes: Prostate cancer with an elevated PSA level.
Investigations to be done: Biopsy.
Differential diagnosis: BPH.
Probable diagnosis: Prostate cancer.

I hope this helps.

Kindly follow up if you have more concerns.

Thank you.