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Medical Forum / Diseases and Disorders / Prostate Cancer / September 2005What does a PSA of 900 mean. Up from 150 1 year ago.
What does a PSA of 900 mean. Up from 150 a year ago. It my dad with this reading and he told me last night. I can't find anything that mentions more than 20. > What does a PSA of 900 mean. Up from 150 a year ago. I'm sorry to say that it means deep trouble, unless there's an explanation other than cancer. Such an explanation could be benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) and/or infection. > It my dad with > this reading and he told me last night. I can't find anything that > mentions more than 20. There have been people here with PSAs in the low four digits. It is mandatory that this be investigated immediately and exhaustively. I recommend a cancer specialist, an oncologist. This could be the start of a merciless war. Or not. Learn the facts, then act. Regards, Steve J "If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles. If you know yourself but not the enemy, for every victory gained you will also suffer a defeat. If you know neither the enemy nor yourself, you will succumb in every battle." --Sun Tzu, "The Art of War" That reading is cause for alarm. What did your father's physician recommend for the next step? I would think immediate action is needed, unless there is another explanation for the high PSA (or the test results are being incorrectly reported, e.g., missing some decimals). If your father's doctor is not aggressive in dealing with this you may want to persuade your dad to get another doctor. And that should be a physician that specializes in the treatment of prostate problems. If the PSA of 150 a year ago is correct, it should have been dealt with then. Even that reading is cause for alarm. But, that was then, and this is now. You have to deal with the present. Good luck to you both. > What does a PSA of 900 mean. Up from 150 a year ago. It my dad with > this reading and he told me last night. I can't find anything that > mentions more than 20. Stephen Jordan and Buttercup's Dad Thanks for your replies. My dad refuses to seek treatment except for grape juice or something from Queensland (Australia). My dad's the unusual one in my family as he does visit a GP (and I come from a country with free health care). Therefore I'm reduced to finding out from searching the web. I suppose what I want to know is what are the diagnoses possible and I assume that cancer is most likely, and if it is cancer it seems high and with a great rate of change. My dad has leg pain which I believe is a symptom (I haven't spoken about urination with him and won't). So what sort of prognosis is likely as in time and manner of death. I realise nothing can be stated with certainy. Just guessing here but if he had 150 a year ago, his doctor obviously knowing it, and has had no treatment, either the doctor is a total idiot or he and your father have been keeping a secret. He most likely has systemic disease now, as the leg pain tends to demonstrate. Radiation can offer relief from mets and he should at least look into that. The house is going to burn down but he can keep it standing a little longer by putting out the small fires that will arise from time to time. Bill Denton RP 2/12/02 PSA .6 Memphis In 2003 my dad's mum died (90+), then his only sibling (from a disease caught in the 1930s), then my sister. He confided in my sister. He apparantly had elavated levels for 4 years. Generally my family dies demented so he probably welcomed an out without dementia. All his friends had died, he gave up on his art (he's a bonsai master), and waited to die. My sister dying and her children being critically injured sparked him up a bit (as grandkids needed looking after). I don't know his reason for not seeking treatment (his doctor wanted him too but it was his choice - possibly the DRE put him off). I've spent 45 years being unable to talk to him and time's running out. > Just guessing here but if he had 150 a year ago, his doctor obviously > knowing it, and has had no treatment, either the doctor is a total [quoted text clipped - 10 lines] > PSA .6 > Memphis On September 1, dcandy@gmail.com wrote, in pertinent part: > I don't know his reason for not seeking treatment (his doctor wanted > him too but it was his choice - possibly the DRE put him off). > > I've spent 45 years being unable to talk to him and time's running out. Yes indeed, it is running out. No one can predict when the end will come but judging from what I've seen, it will be utter horror. I am certain that he will bitterly regret his decision not to seek treatment. Sorry; there is no gentle way to put it. Regards, Steve J What is the end like for a 73 year and 1 day old man. Can he live alone till the end. Will he need caring at home. What actually happens from now to the end. I had hoped he'd have a sudden death (which isn't that bad from what I've observed of people dying from heart attacks - too much pain for a short period to care that one is dying). But I've not seen people die of cancer and Dad's the first to have cancer in my whole family (strokes and dementia is usually our lot). > On September 1, dcandy@gmail.com wrote, in pertinent part: > [quoted text clipped - 14 lines] > > Steve J That is not something that anyone can realistically describe. But I would suggest that you talk to your family doctor or specialist....whomever he or you are comfortable discussing this with. He would be best off in a Palliative Care Facility when he is no longer able to care for himself. They can provide strong painkillers and so on. On a personal note......you say you have not been able to *talk to him for 45 years*. I would suggest strongly that you two now get over that and enjoy what time you have left. Been there, done that. My dad died at 90. And it took till then to finally settle some stuff that should never have happened. I have no regrets now and he died at peace with himself. Amazing how things turn about when the end is near. Best....Heather > What is the end like for a 73 year and 1 day old man. Can he live alone > till the end. Will he need caring at home. What actually happens from [quoted text clipped - 22 lines] > > > > Steve J The end is generally pretty bad but it can vary considerably depending on the patient, family support, where the cancer is, plus a whole lot of other things. I have no family history of the last stages with PCa but I had a colleague who died of this disease about five years ago. He was sedated much of his last couple of months at home surrounded by his wife and sons playing his favorite folksongs on recorders. The family had to feed him, bathe him, and tend to his every need. On the other hand, just within the last week, an editor for our local newspaper died of PCa. On the day he died, he called in to the paper to ask them to please excuse him from working that day since he wasn't feeling well. He worked right up to the last day. So again, everyone is different, but I would guess your dad will need someone caring for him as he nears the end. Living alone at that time will not be an option. Dave Perry Watch the movie, "The Shootist". Jimmy Steward described it well. My dad died of it and it took him years to do so. At it's worst, he would break ribs just sneezing. He had so little strength, though a former decorated Marine drill sergeant, he couldn't lift an empty table plate. As Jimmy said... It's... It's just awful.  SignaturePSA 16 10/17/2000 @ 46 Biopsy 11/01/2000 G7 (3+4), T2c RRP 12/15/2000 G7 (3+4), T3cN0M0 Neg margins PSA .1 .1 .1 .27 .37 .75 EBRT 05-07/2002 @ 47 PSA .34 .22 .15 .21 .32 Lupron 07/03 (1 mo) 8/03 (4 mo), 12/03, 4/04, 09/04, 01/05 PSA .07 .05 .06 .05 non Illegitimi carborundum > What is the end like for a 73 year and 1 day old man. Can he live alone > till the end. Will he need caring at home. What actually happens from [quoted text clipped - 22 lines] > > > > Steve J > Watch the movie, "The Shootist". Jimmy Steward described it well. Jimmy StewarT portrayed a country doctor in Nevada, consulted by JT Books (John Wayne in his last movie) for the pain "way down deep" in his lower abdomen. The particular disease was not mentioned, but sounds to me like colon cancer. > As Jimmy said... It's... It's just awful. He also said, and I think it very well applies to PCa, that, "unless there's morphine enough, you'll die screaming." I ask to be excused from discussing it further; this might be my future. Regards, Steve J True, they never said what the ailment is. It is certainly cancer from that region. My father was dying of prostate cancer when I first saw the movie. Back then, I knew very little about cancer and probably just assumed it was prostate cancer. But, watching the movie... then seeing my father die a few years later... well, it seemed pretty realistic for prostate cancer. Of course, my father didn't face anyone down in a bar to end it. As a cop, he was a pretty good shot. But, being a Homicide detective, he carried a snub-nose. I think Pulford would have gotten him. And then there was Kramer vs Kramer when my parents were divorcing..... SignaturePSA 16 10/17/2000 @ 46 Biopsy 11/01/2000 G7 (3+4), T2c RRP 12/15/2000 G7 (3+4), T3cN0M0 Neg margins PSA .1 .1 .1 .27 .37 .75 EBRT 05-07/2002 @ 47 PSA .34 .22 .15 .21 .32 Lupron 07/03 (1 mo) 8/03 (4 mo), 12/03, 4/04, 09/04, 01/05 PSA .07 .05 .06 .05 non Illegitimi carborundum > > Watch the movie, "The Shootist". Jimmy Steward described it well. > [quoted text clipped - 14 lines] > > Steve J Oh, and, no. He cannot go it alone. When I built my condo, I planned a room that would have all the necessary hookups for electric, phone, cable and data because I want to prolong the time I can stay at home. SignaturePSA 16 10/17/2000 @ 46 Biopsy 11/01/2000 G7 (3+4), T2c RRP 12/15/2000 G7 (3+4), T3cN0M0 Neg margins PSA .1 .1 .1 .27 .37 .75 EBRT 05-07/2002 @ 47 PSA .34 .22 .15 .21 .32 Lupron 07/03 (1 mo) 8/03 (4 mo), 12/03, 4/04, 09/04, 01/05 PSA .07 .05 .06 .05 non Illegitimi carborundum > What is the end like for a 73 year and 1 day old man. Can he live alone > till the end. Will he need caring at home. What actually happens from [quoted text clipped - 22 lines] > > > > Steve J > I've spent 45 years being unable to talk to him and time's running out. Yes, I fear it is. It is likely cancer. I don't think BHP gets that high. If it is cancer, with treatment he might grab a couple of years. Without.... well, I've only known one who went with out. Martin Howard was at 145 during OCT 2002 and died December 2003. His last PSA was 934. We've seen PSAs as high as 4000. SignaturePSA 16 10/17/2000 @ 46 Biopsy 11/01/2000 G7 (3+4), T2c RRP 12/15/2000 G7 (3+4), T3cN0M0 Neg margins PSA .1 .1 .1 .27 .37 .75 EBRT 05-07/2002 @ 47 PSA .34 .22 .15 .21 .32 Lupron 07/03 (1 mo) 8/03 (4 mo), 12/03, 4/04, 09/04, 01/05 PSA .07 .05 .06 .05 non Illegitimi carborundum On Thu, 01 Sep 2005 04:16:58 -0700, dcandy wrote: > I suppose what I want to know is what are the diagnoses possible and I > assume that cancer is most likely, and if it is cancer it seems high and > with a great rate of change. My dad has leg pain which I believe is a > symptom (I haven't spoken about urination with him and won't). So what > sort of prognosis is likely as in time and manner of death. I think you should read http://www.pahealthsystems.com/archive249-2004-8-60216.html in order to get an idea of what might be coming. Walk and the legs break; lie down and the ribs break... not fun. It doesn't have to turn out like that, and let's all fervently pray it won't -- but you need to be prepared. SignatureGreg > What does a PSA of 900 mean. Up from 150 a year ago. It my dad with > this reading and he told me last night. I can't find anything that > mentions more than 20. 150 is bad enough, but 900, Your father should seek treatment or plan ahead. >> What does a PSA of 900 mean. Up from 150 a year ago. It my dad with >> this reading and he told me last night. I can't find anything that >> mentions more than 20. > > 150 is bad enough, but 900, Your father should seek treatment or plan > ahead. my husband's psa was 865 at age 40. mets to lymph and bone. it has been 21 months and he is still here, working, making love occasionally, playing nearly scratch golf. of course, I am married to Superman so that explains all that. his inital treatment was Lupron depot every 3 months, 50 mg Casodex every day, and Zometa IV every month. his 1st psa after this inital treatment was 44. reached 17 as the lowest. back up to 157 as of 3 months ago. don't know current value as he hasn't seen the doc for a few months. hth Lori Good to here from you, Lori. I've been away for almost a week and came back with some trepidation about what I mind find under your name. I'm glad he's golfing. SignaturePSA 16 10/17/2000 @ 46 Biopsy 11/01/2000 G7 (3+4), T2c RRP 12/15/2000 G7 (3+4), T3cN0M0 Neg margins PSA .1 .1 .1 .27 .37 .75 EBRT 05-07/2002 @ 47 PSA .34 .22 .15 .21 .32 Lupron 07/03 (1 mo) 8/03 (4 mo), 12/03, 4/04, 09/04, 01/05 PSA .07 .05 .06 .05 non Illegitimi carborundum > >> What does a PSA of 900 mean. Up from 150 a year ago. It my dad with > >> this reading and he told me last night. I can't find anything that [quoted text clipped - 14 lines] > hth > Lori > Good to here from you, Lori. I've been away for almost a week and came > back > with some trepidation about what I mind find under your name. I'm glad > he's > golfing. Thanks Steve. Curt says he feels the best he's felt in a long time. budda is providing and the jobs just keep rolling in. Curt found a 22 yo ex roofer that wants to learn an "indoor" trade so he will be apprenticing with Curt. Since he learned how to compensate for the distance he lost on his drives and fairway, he's really improved his precision shots and his putting has been phenomenal! His hair has grown back quite a bit. it is way lighter (I say gray, he says blond) LOL His acceptance and thankfulness that he has gone this strong for so long has made him much easier to deal with. he's been very sweet and has changed his approach with the children and me a huge amount. It makes it easier to root for him this way instead of hoping he'd go into a coma and shut the hell up!! : ) take care Lori > What does a PSA of 900 mean. Up from 150 a year ago. It my dad with > this reading and he told me last night. I can't find anything that > mentions more than 20. I'm sure his doc has told him exactly what to do. Make him comfortable, and be there for him. He's made the choice to do nothing, and it is his right. SignatureJK Sinrod Sinrod Stained Glass Studios www.sinrodstudios.com Coney Island Memories www.sinrodstudios.com/coneymemories |
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