Hi, Davis.....

One of the best sources for information about anything related to the
prostate is www.phoenix5.org , a site created by the late Robert Young.  For
information about PSA, look at http://www.phoenix5.org/Basics/PSAmenu.html .

There are several things that can cause PSA levels to go up.  Do you know
when your father had is last PSA test... before this one??  If so, do you
know the results of that last test?  Watching scores over time can show a
velocity of change in the PSA...

I'm sure others will have more information to share with you.

Please keep us posted on your father's biopsy results and feel free to ask
more questions as you go along.  How old are you, btw?  And are you having
your PSA checked annually?

Take care!
MikeH

Try not to wholly understand the biology of it all.  Just think of it as a
certain number of cells is a concern, but inconclusive, but if 90% of those
cells are linked, it's a greater indicator of prostate cancer.

HYPOTHETICAL:

Let's say finding 25 cells is good, but finding 100 cells is cause for
concern.  If 90 percent of those cells are linked (or 10% are free) then
it's almost a sure indication of cancer.  But if 60% are linked and 40% are
free, it's probably something else causing the higher level of cells.

Hi Davis...Sorry to hear about your dad's high (total) PSA.  Nice of
you to help him work through it.  40 is a high PSA and although there
may be other things that can cause a high PSA like this, I'm only
aware of two things; namely infection and cancer.  If it turns out to
be the cancer, then with a PSA of 40, there's a good chance that it is
already metastatic.  Typically a uro might put your dad on antibiotics
and then remeasure the PSA to check out the infection hypothesis,
prior to a biopsy.  If they were to draw blood again for such a repeat
PSA, that would be a good time to include the free PSA test as well.
Free PSA / total PSA ratios above 25% suggest the absence of cancer in
the prostate.  Maybe the doc already has other information like an
abnormal DRE or earlier PSA data that is making him very suspicious
and he is moving right to the biopsy.

They do have hormonal therapies that can often control metastatic PCa
for a number of years.  So even if it does turn out that your dad has
prostate cancer, given that he's 78, I'd say there is a good chance
that he could still live out his normal allotment of years.  Hang in
there, it's a wonderful thing you're doing for your dad...Best wishes
and good health, Ron

I would like to thank all of you who have responded. I really appreciate all
of the kind words and valuable information.

Unfortunately, I wasn't able to find out what my father's PSA number was two
years ago. I did talk to him last night and he informed me that the
Urologist told him that he had a growth the size of a knuckle on his
prostate.

I'll find out more info after the results of the biopsy are presented.

Thanks, again.

Davis