Patient's question:
Lately, I've been constantly feeling the need to urinate, but when I go to urinate, I can only release a little bit, and my urethral opening often hurts. I'm worried it might be prostatitis. I went to the hospital for a thorough examination, and the results showed that my prostate PSA level is below the normal range. What does this mean? Now, what should I do?Doctor's answer:
PSA is a specific biomarker for prostate cancer. The reasons for a decrease in PSA include:1. Non-cancerous conditions, such as prostatitis, benign prostatic hyperplasia, acute urinary retention, or digital rectal examination, which can cause PSA to rise.
2. Cancerous conditions, such as prostate cancer.
If the PSA level is greater than 10 ng/mL, the likelihood of prostate cancer increases. The higher the value below the normal range, the more aggressive the cancer is. Further detailed examination and diagnosis by a urologist at the hospital are necessary, followed by treatment.
Additionally, during treatment, the patient's dietary condition and care are also crucial. The patient must ensure adequate vitamin intake, prevent diarrhea, and maintain a light diet.