PSA Rising, MRI Scheduled

[ulgrad92]

Hello all,

54 year old male here, non-smoker.  Father passed away from prostate cancer three years ago.  I have my PSA checked every year.  Went to the doctor this past week, and it has risen from 1.28 to 1.83, which seems like a pretty rapid increase.  Doctor said prostate felt large, but smooth.  

I have an MRI scheduled for next week.  I'm pretty worried about this ... how worried should I be?  It seems if I have something it's been caught pretty early, but then again, the rapid increase year-over-year has me concerned that I could have something aggressive (even though the overall level is still below the "danger zone").  Should I inquire about whether a biopsy is needed too, or is the MRI enough to determine what's going on?

[rpw631]

Also the PCRI (prostate cancer research institute) has a YouTube channel with a ton of good information

[rpw631]

Men as they get older the PSA rises on its own, also if prostate is enlarged which older men invariably have as we age,  plus even mild prostate infection can cause a rise.
That .55 rise that you have after  one year, is probably a non event.
To Make you feel comfortable go ahead and get the MRI. Hopefully it’s a 3T multi parametric MRI.

Blind biopsies are not perfect.  Many other tests to do before biopsy.  (Different urine and blood tests).

[auntiejessi]

You haven't jumped to a number like 4, or 20 or even 100.

Anything below 4 is considered normal, and many men with results between 4-10 often don't have prostate cancer.

I know that with your family history, this is scary, but there's nothing to indicate cancer on the face of this. It might be BPH, a prostate infection, or some other benign condition.

If it is cancer, it has to be in the really early stages, and that's a good thing. :)

I'm sorry about your dad. I lost mine to prostate cancer, too.