Re: What do I have?In article <Lu6dnRPyS4Cj4B3anZ2dnUVZ_jadnZ2d@comcast . com >,
Leonard Evens <len@math.northwestern.edu> wrote:
> james wrote:
> > had a PSA reading of 8.11 and a Free PSA of 0.83, PSA, Free % Calc 10
> >
> > What does this indicate. My Doctors group sent me an email on Dec 23 to
> > get test results on their web page and that"s what I got. The next day
> > his office called and said "its still high and I should see a
> > urologist".
> >
> > My doctor is on vacation and I can't get to see him until the 16th of
> > Jan. the Urologist My appointment is on the 21st.
> >
> > No one will tell me anything, except "I can't say."
> >
> > No one offered any counseling or encouragement.
> >
> > I've been on the internet at many sites. I think this means a 35% chance
> > of Prostate Cancer, but I don't know.
> >
> > PSA readings history:
> > DATE PSA FREE %
> > 12-24-07 8.11 0.83 10.0
> > 11-7-05 2.75
> > 10-04 2.1 0.5
> > 7-01 2.41
> > 6-00 2.14
> > 7-97 2.34
> > 6-10-96 2.11
> >
> > No tests for last two years, no records in Dr. files, but I thought I
> > had a test a year ago.
> >
> > I am 53 and suffer from Parkinson's disease (still live independently)
> > and occasional Atrial Fibrilation. Also have been diagnosed with sleep
> > apnea, but don't need a cpap. I don't consider my health to be very good
> > although i can walk a mile in 22 minutes.
> >
> > I ordered the PCRI book.
> >
> > I take these mediations:
> > Rythmol
> > Lanoxin
> > Wafarin (Coumadin)
> > neutro-phos (phosphorus supplement)
> > Stalevo 150
> > Amantadine
> > Nexium
> > Flomax
> >
> > Any thoughts/guidance appreciated.
>
> I don't know enough to estimate the chances that you have prostate
> cancer, and I doubt if anyone can do it at all accurately, so attaching
> a specific probability doesn't make sense. On the basis of the figures
> you give, PSA 8.11 and FPSA 10 percent, the only definite conclusion is
> that you should see a urologist, which you already know. Most likely,
> the urologist will suggest a biopsy which will show if you have prostate
> cancer. At that point you will know one way or another.
>
> Before you panic, you should be aware of the following. (1) It is still
> more likely than not that you don't have prostate cancer. (For example,
> the jump in PSA might be due to inflammation of the prostate.) (2) A
> prostate biopsy, if done by a qualified urologist, is very safe, and for
> most men not particularly painful. It will be less painful if the
> urologist uses a local anesthetic. (3) If it turns out you do have
> prostate cancer, there is an excellent chance that it has been caught
> early enough to be treated successfully.
>
> Prostate cancer grows slowly, so there is no immediate hurry, but you
> shouldn't put off your visit to the urologist.
>
> If you visit alt.support.cancer.prostate, you will find a group of men
> who have gone through the same thing, and were very anxious when they
> went through the process of diagnosis and treatment. But in retrospect,
> most of us found it was not as bad as we feared. Try to be calm. You
> will get through this.
Thanks for the encouragement. I won't delay in getting checked up and
will look at alt.support.cancer.prostate.