Re: Concerned about PSA increase--any thoughts?

On July 29, Dora wrote:
According to the range given on my husband's lab test printout, normal range for his age is 0.0 to 4.0.
What is his age? Also his name?
I however, am terrified. In 2004 (the last time he was tested), his reading was 4.0. A couple of weeks ago, he asked for another test, which came back at a staggering 66.5. Yes, you read correctly.

Our internist is obviously alarmed, as well he should be. (He diagnosed an enlarged prostate in
August 2005 but didn't bother to have a PSA test run.) My husband was sent immediately to a urologist, who diagnosed cancer even before the biopsy (which is to be performed on August 7).

Say a prayer for him - and for me.
It is vitally important to refer to the website of the Prostate Cancer Research Institute at:
http://prostate-cancer.org/index.html
and read the section for the newly diagnosed.

Invaluable and authoritative information is to be found there.

The book _A Primer on Prostate Cancer_2nd ed., by medical oncologist and PCa specialist Stephen b. Strum, MD and PCa warrior Donna Pogliano is a must-read.

The uro may well be correct, but wait for the test. And have the specimens validated by a lab that specializes in it. Here is a list:

Bostwick Laboratories, David Bostwick [800] 214-6628
Jon Epstein (Hopkins) [410] 955-5043 or 410-955-2162 (Dr. Epstein does not
do ploidy analysis)
David Grignon (Michigan) 313-745-2520
Jon Oppenheimer (Tennessee) [888] 868-7522 Dianon Laboratories 1 [800] 328-2666 (select 5 for client services)
UroCor, Inc. 1 [800] 411-1839

The cost is around $350 and is undoubtedly covered by insurance and Medicare.

I had specimens examined by Bostwick. Their report included important information that was not mentioned in the local path lab's report.

I recommend strongly that treatment not be selected until a thorough study of the choices has been accomplished. I expect the uro to urge surgery, which after all is his livelihood.

This is frightening, but it is not an automatic death sentence. However, the lives of Dora and her husband have been forever changed.

Keep us informed, please.

Regards,

Steve J

"We must tailor the treatment to the nature of the disease. We must listen to the biology."
-- Stephen B. Strum, MD
.

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