I would see the Dr. and have the biopsy if there was any doubt.
I did not have anesthesia.......since it is done as a walk in walk out deal.
I drove home about 80 miles after.......I was fine, just a little
uncomfortable about the whole thing.....
John Loomis

It is my understanding that both 4.1 and 3.8 are high
for a man of 42.  If he were 70 it might be different, but
a man that young should not have so high a PSA.  Some
doctors are now saying that for men under 50, anything
over 2.5 is suspicious.

It could be due to causes other than cancer, but a biopsy
sounds like an excellent idea.  His doctor and his urologist
are on the ball.  I wish my doctor had been as smart when I
had a PSA of 3.7 at age 55.  Instead of waiting two years for
my next PSA test I might have been cured while it was still
easy to do.

   Alan

Anesthesia?  What service.

Right, PSA at that level would not warrant a biopsy in the United States
unless a first-order relative had PCa.

jimhoney

Hi Shorty.

It's a good idea for his biopsy with your history.

As Alan said...they are leaning towards 2.5 as a marker these days.

I had lidocaine injections before my biopsy and it wasn't bad. (February
of this year)

I could just walk out and drive away afterwards.

Maybe THAT'S the kind of anesthesia he's having.

Many guys had NO anesthesia or just a topical swab applied beforehand.

Best wishes,

Ron B.

Chicago

Hi Shorty...Has your son had any earlier PSA measurements?  If so, is
there a trend?...Best wishes and good health to you and your son, Ron

I was 59 when dx with PCa; my psa was 3.4 *which was considered about
normal for a man of 59*.  I think a 4.2 or a 3.8 at age 42 requires
further action.  

The biopsy is easy, not much worse than a DRE.  Sort of like a DRE
with a snap from a rubber band.  I was a little anxious about it, at
first, but after the first "snap", it didn't bother me.  Nothing to
really be concerned about.  However, the "results" should be looked at
very carefully.

Good luck to your son.

Dave

Hank,

The good news is that there is no known association between fathers and sons
and PCa except if the father gets PCa at a young age (<50 YOA).  And then
there is only a 10% increase in probability.

However, the bad news is that unless he's got some prostate problems, 4.1 is
abnormally high for a 42 year old.

Please keep us apprised.