PSA levels rise normally with age and can also be raised if the test is carried out after a rectal examination, or if the individual has BPH or inflammation of the prostate gland. Therefore, high levels of PSA do not always mean that prostate cancer is present. Also it is possible to have cancer of the prostate with a normal PSA test result. Before you have a PSA test you should discuss with your doctor what you would do if the test results show that the level is high. If you would choose not to be treated then you might reasonably prefer not to have the test.
Treatment depends on age to some extent.
If the cancer shows no sign of growing or spreading to other parts of the body, elderly men may choose not to have the cancer treated but only to have treatment that will improve urinary flow. However, in more severe cases or with younger patients, the usual treatment is surgical removal of the prostate gland prostatectomy. If the disease has spread, it may also be necessary to control the level of the male sex hormone testosterone, which stimulates the cancer cells to grow. This will be done by prescribing medication to either stop the body producing testosterone or to block its effects. Surgery A prostatectomy is an operation to remove the prostate gland or a part of it.