A PSA score of 11.5 is high. Prostate Cancer Foundation: "PSA Rising." Objectives: Approaches to screening for prostate cancer have continued to be refined since the introduction of prostate-specific antigen (PSA). Men with prostate cancer often have elevated PSA levels because the cancer cells make excessive amounts of this protein. 5 A PSA test alone is not a good indicator of the presence of prostate cancer. Since the introduction of PSA, increasing numbers of patients are presenting solely with an elevated PSA, and palpably normal prostate gland.

All rights reserved. Mayo Clinic offers appointments in Arizona, Florida and Minnesota and at Mayo Clinic Health System locations.Our general interest e-newsletter keeps you up to date on a wide variety of health topics.At the time of initial diagnosis of prostate cancer, the If you have been diagnosed with prostate cancer and are concerned about your prognosis, discuss your situation with your doctor.Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. But know that doctors don’t always agree on how to use or understand the results of these tests.There are reasons doctors don’t agree on whether you need this test:Although the PSA test is used mainly to check for prostate cancer, it can also help your doctor:If you choose a watchful waiting approach to treatment, your PSA level can tell your doctor if the disease is progressing. Urology : "Timing of PSA nadir after radical prostatectomy and risk of biochemical recurrence." If so, you’ll need to think about active treatment.During hormone therapy, the PSA level can show how well the treatment is working and when it’s time to try another treatment.Zero - The End of Prostate Cancer: “PSA Screening.”Cancer.gov: “Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) Test.”WebMD does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Your Gleason 7 (3+4) is all that is needed for a prostate cancer diagnosis. You should probably have a biopsy. Prostate cancer is one of the most common types of cancer in men. If your PSA results are in the borderline range (4 to 10), a low percent-free PSA (less than 10%) means there’s about a 50% chance you have prostate cancer. a PSA below 4 will have prostate cancer if a biopsy is done.

Mayo Clinic is a nonprofit organization and proceeds from Web advertising help support our mission. There’s no such thing as a normal PSA for any man at any given age, but most men with The first thing to do is talk to your doctor about the pros and cons of prostate The American Cancer Society says to get tested at age:If your doctor thinks you might have prostate cancer based on either a PSA level or a rectal exam, a High PSA levels could be a sign of prostate cancer or a different condition like prostatitis or an If your PSA level is high, your doctor may suggest that you get a prostate biopsy to test for cancer.Newer PSA tests may help the doctor decide if you need a biopsy. Normal PSA for men age 50 is 4-6, but a high PSA in itself does not mean the presence of prostate cancer.

Prostate cancer is cancer that occurs in the prostate — a small walnut-shaped gland in men that produces the seminal fluid that nourishes and transports sperm. Mayo Clinic does not endorse any of the third party products and services advertised.A single copy of these materials may be reprinted for noncommercial personal use only.

"Mayo," "Mayo Clinic," "MayoClinic.org," "Mayo Clinic Healthy Living," and the triple-shield Mayo Clinic logo are trademarks of Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research.© 1998-2020 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). However, in my opinion, your combination of age, PSA of 20, and a Gleason 7 (3+4) is cause for concern even if the MRI comes back negative. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission.Check out these best-sellers and special offers on books and newsletters from Mayo Clinic. Any use of this site constitutes your agreement to the Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy linked below. Usually prostate cancer grows slowly and is initially confined to the prostate gland, where it may not cause serious harm.