The PSA prostate test for cancer...

[Archae]

I know a guy who had a blood test recently.
He had an elevated (slightly) level in the PSA prostate level test.

So...

He had an ultrasound/biopsy.
Nothing found, no cancer.

But a week ago he ended up with a very painful infection in his right testicle.
He said his right testicle is still swollen and somewhat painful.

Anyone have any input on this, like if there is any malpractice grounds?

[wtmusic]

1. There's a significant risk of infection in a prostate biopsy.

They should have given him some serious antibiotics to take for a week.

[FarCenter]

2. Rise Found in Prostate Biopsy Complications and High Post-Procedure Hospitalization Rate

ScienceDaily (Sep. 22, 2011) — In a study of complication rates following prostate biopsy among Medicare beneficiaries, Johns Hopkins researchers have found a significant rise in serious complications requiring hospitalization. The researchers found that this common outpatient procedure, used to diagnose prostate cancer, was associated with a 6.9 percent rate of hospitalization within 30 days of biopsy compared to a 2.9 percent hospitalization rate among a control group of men who did not have a prostate biopsy.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/09/110922093319.htm

---

Using needles to poke holes between your rectum and your prostate is probably not the safest thing you can do.

[BlueIris]

3. Seems a bit early to be jumping on the malpractice wagon, if you ask me.

Especially since infection is a known complication of the procedure.

[Gabi Hayes]

4. my best friend's PSA went from 2 to 6 in a year. they biopsied him, found

SEVERE malignancy in his prostate--16 out of 24 sites had cancer

took it out, and it hadn't spread at this point....so far

his regular doctor ignored the initial PSA rise, and after my friend noted discomfort, saw a urologist, who PSAed him again, did an exam, then biopsied

had he not checked his PSA, he'd be metastasized out the ass by now, STS

this all happened in the last four months, from discomfort to current

they've just come out with some new studies that say PSA tests aren't worth the time/money/concern, but it's a matter of comparing numbers to your own, PERSONAL situation

pay attention to your own health. no reason to die a painful, prolonged death if you don't have to

http://www.google.com/search?q=ignore+psa+tests&sourceid=ie7&rls=com.microsoft:en-US&ie=utf8&oe=utf8#q=ignore+psa+tests&rls=com.microsoft:en-US&oe=utf8&um=1&ie=UTF-8&hl=en&tbo=u&tbm=nws&source=og&sa=N&tab=wn&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.,cf.osb&fp=547fdb3688d05ac8&biw=745&bih=343

[Ilsa]

5. Another important point:

It's very important fir men to practice keigl exercises before a prostatectomy. It makes a big difference in recovering urinary control.

[sfpcjock]

6. The advice I'm hearing now is to Not get the biopsy for a slightly elevated PSA...

e.g., 4 or so, I guess. I had the biopsy done years ago for a PSA 4 result and it was negative. I can see how there could be a possibility of infection from the needle biopsy which is done on 10-12 sites, I believe. As someone else said, the antibiotic regime should be taken after a biopsy.

My last biopsy occurred in March of 2008 and my PSA was 10 at that time. In May I had my prostate removed due to Gleason score of 3+4 as a result of the biopsy--that meant I had cancer. I'm pretty good now, although it took me around 8 months to recover my sexuality after the prostate surgery.