Prostate Concerns

[hinx]

I had a prostate biopsy 12/26/07(will get results 1/8/08).I am still noticing trace amounts of blood and what looks like small clots in my urine.This does not occur everytime I urinate.Is this to be
expected this long after a biopsy?My psa is 3.3 up from 2.2 a year ago.My pca3 value was 48%.
What is the significance of a 48% pca3 value?I am 67 years old in good physical condition other
than a leaking mitral valve.I would like a quick reply if possible.

[Ash Tewari, MD, M.Ch.]

It is difficult to interpret pca3 values at this time as sufficient cutoffs for "negative" and "positive" values have yet to be determined. As a rule of thumb, it is best to ask questions of significance of all laboratory results to the physician who ordered them.

With respect to blood in the urine, it is not uncommon for men to experience this phenomenon post-biopsy for several weeks.

Best,

Ashutosh K. Tewari, MD

[hinx]

Dr. Tewari,
Please respond to my last two comments.

                           Thanks,

[hinx]

I may go twenty four to forty eight hours with no noticable blood in my urine and then it appears again.Is this to be expected nine days after a needle biopsy?

[hinx]

I had a needle biopsy two years ago and noticed no blood in my
urine afterwards.But now nine days after my latest biopsy I am still
seeing trace amounts of blood in my urine.I guess every case is different.

[Ash Tewari, MD, M.Ch.]

Screening tools (blood tests, biomarkers, etc.) should be evaluated on their ability to adequately determine if a patient truly has the disease (sensitivity) while distinguishing those who don't have the disease (specificity). PSA testing is often criticized because of its ability to detect prostate cancer without weening out those who have other (benign) prostate phenomenon.

The PCA3 test may be useful for those who 1) are concerned about prostate cancer because of a strong family history 2) have a low PSA rise and negative biopsy.

Best,

Ashutosh K. Tewari, MD

[hinx]

Dr. Tewari,
Thanks very much for your quick response.What is your overall opinion of the PCA3 test?