Do non-cancerous prostate nodules exist?

[Hospitalbedpan]

I'm 32 years old. Two years ago I had the chicken pox and never felt the same. Since then three cysts/nodules have been found in my body: neck, liver, and now the prostate. So far only one from my neck was removed. The liver cyst is simple and we are doing follow-up images for any changes.

The biggest worry is my prostate nodules. Fifteen months ago my PSA was 0.4 and my prostate sized in at 2.5 X 3.5 cm. I also had a transrectal MRI. The cyst had a bit of debris and no solid component. It was a wait and see situation. Unfortunately I lost my job and insurance. What was supposed to be a 6 month follow-up dragged on for 15 months while I waited for medicaid to qualify me.

Now it's 05/05/2007. My PSA jumped to .9 from 15 months ago. I also had a transrectal ultrasound done last week. My prostate now measures 4.7 x 4.5 cm. More importantly numerous "small" cystic and solid nodules have been found throughout.

My question is this. I know you can't give a prognosis over the internet. I'm not here for that. I simply want to know if you've biopsied solid nodules (not cysts) that were negative. Like the cyst in my removed from my neck, I'm hoping this is an infection from the chicken pox. I can understand my PSA doubling cause my prostate increased in size. Unfortunately I'm not to confident seeing how one cyst turned into numerous solid nodules.

[Wally1114]

A related discussion, Nodule on Prostate was started.

[Ash Tewari, MD, M.Ch.]

Nodules could be due to benign hyperplasia which is not due to cancer. We do have many situations when a biopsy from a solid nodule turns out to be things other than cancer. Also, all solid nodules are not cancer. I hope this answers your question.

[Wally1114]

A related discussion, Disease of the prostate was started.

[Hospitalbedpan]

Update:

The biopsy was negative. I guess that doesn't mean much seeing that I'm still having daily pain in the groin area from this. Not to mention research shows biopsies aren't always accurate.

I have a 3 and 6 month follow up with a PSA. At the 6 month mark they will look at the prostate again. Forgot to ask if that's just the ultrasound or another biopsy.

My new insurance will be cigna. Hopefully the second opinion will offer more then the basics of medicaid. Originally medicaid offered cipro to treat possible infections. Now they give Levaquin which is basically useless in my case.

[Hospitalbedpan]

Guess this is a better question:

Is there anything other than prostate cancer that would show up as a dark spot or area on ultrasound?