My PSA had increased

Jerry..just a note.one of the top bladder cancer specialists is right at the U.of Penn...very well known...i would definately look him up for a second opinion or first?
www.pennmedicine.org/Wagform/MainPage.aspx?config=provider&P=PP&ID=1398
Dr. Bruce Malkowicz
pat

Jerry,

You've come to the right place.

Here is a link to the flow chart that George just mentioned: Bladder Cancer Flow Chart

Some folks have printed it out and taken it to their urologist to help facilitate the discussion.

First: Bladder cancer is a VERY TREATABLE disease. There are folks here who had it 15 years ago or so. Not a lot of them posting because many have moved on with their lives and put the whole bladder cancer thing behind them. Some of us others have been around for a few years or more but we got a lot from this site when we were where you are now so we hang around and try to give back to others.

The elevated PSA does NOT mean that it has spread to your prostate. Let's just focus on the bladder tumor for now and then you can get back to checking the prostate later.

There are probably visual charactistics of the tumor that your doc has seen that are usually bladder cancer. It may or may not be and the procedure TURBT (TransUrethral Resection of a Bladder Tumor) will tell. What is important and you will see it on the chart is determining the stage and grade. There are MANY more low grade bladder cancers discovered every year than high grade. Low grade is slow growing and high grade is faster. Most tumors are caught when they are still non-invasive (sometimes called superficial because they are only on the innermost lining of the bladder--but there is big deal about calling any cancer 'superficial' so we usually just say non-invasive).

During the TURBT, they remove the tumor by going through a cystoscope into your bladder and they use a little metal loop that is electrified so it can cut the tumor away along with bladder tissue under the tumor. The reason you need a second one 6 weeks later is bladder cancer is often understaged the first time and you also want to make sure there was no seeding (cancer cells get loose and attach to another part of the bladder wall).

While I know you are probably pretty freaked out right now, when caught early, bladder cancer is very treatable. Look around this site for information and read up. Ask any questions that come to mind.

Even if you have it (which you don't know yet) you will be OK. Lot's of things can be done.

We are here for you!

Mike

Thanks. I guess I may be over reacting but this came out of the blue. I know this kind of forum will help me along the way.

Jerry

Whoe up a moment. Take a Deep Breath. Your doctor did the right thing. He went the extra mile (actually 5 inches) and looked a little deeper. You have a good guy there.

I felt the same way when I saw the tumor on TV. But the next step is a TURB. They are going to remove the tumor and send it to a lab and find out just what it is(cancer or not)

They will schedule a 2nd TURB to see if they have clear margins in the tissue. If they find no cancer cells, you are on to other treatments.

Look around the site and find Mikes bladder cancer flow chart It will give you an idea of the path you are on and where you will be going.

Most of us here have been through the WHOLE chart and we are here for you.

But stressing out will only make you full of Angst. And that will get us nowhere.

Ask all of the questions you like. You will get many answers, most of them VERY good, from some very knowledgeable people. They do care and your best interest is their main concern.

Welcome.
George

I am new tot his site and need some help. I went to a urologist at Jefferson in Philadelphia because my PSA was elevated from last year. It was 4.1 and went to 5.3. He did the exam and said he felt nothing and said a shoudl have a biopsy of my prostrate. Two weeks later I went and he also took a look in my bladder to my surprise. He did say that there was no sign of blood in my urine. I thought that might be a good sign but somewhere I read it was not a good sign. He said he found a tumor and he beleived it was cancer. I did not ahve a biopsy and I asked if there was any chance it was non cancerous. His response was I have been doing this for 27 years and would love to come back and say I was 100% wrong but he felt sure it was cancer.
I was in shock and not sure waht to do. That was almost two weeks ago. I have some pre testing to do next week and then have the procedure done on the 24th. I think this is call a turp? Anyway, my anxiety is really high. All kinds of questions and more aches and pains and I am convinced it has spread to every part of my body.
Since my PSA is elevated from last year is it a sign that it has spread to my prostrate?