enlarged prostate under 40

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Q: Has there ever been a 29 year old diagnosed with prostate cancer? I'm 29 with an enlarged prostate.?
Last year I was diagnosed with an enlarged prostate (by rectal exam). I then lost my insurance and went a year without it (insurance). I recently started being seen by a doctor again and during my long overdue followup it was found that my prostate is even more enlarged now (but she said no lumps were felt). She is sending me to urology. She seemed very shocked about this and so am I. My dad was treated for prostate cancer a while back so it is in the family. My PSA last year was 0.4 and I haven't gotten the results from the one done today yet but my doctor cautioned that PSA results tend to not be very accurate in men under 40. I am really worried. Are my concerns without merit? Any professional opinions are greatly appreciated. I sincerely thank you for your time.
A little bit of my medical history. I do have extensive urinary problems such as dribbling and hesitation. Have had these for years. I also have type 2 diabetes, NASH liver disease, spinal stenosis, spinal arthrosis, desicated disc, thecal sac impingement, and more back issues.

A: Hi Mark, Man alive! Do you ever have a handful of troubles! Your back sounds a LOT like mine and I'm 67! I have been treated for prostate cancer and was hoping I could find something specific for you but couldn't. I guess you already know that your PSA score was great even if unreliable due to your age. Try not to stress too much over this, yeah, I know -easy for me to say -, but it really IS probably a benign enlarged prostate (I've been seeing a urologist for 5 years now and I ain't EVEN going to try and spell the medical term for it). So, in sum? I think your concerns have merit but not enough to stress over as long as you are able to continue seeing a doctor and get a biopsy done by the urologist to absolutely rule out cancer. That is, of course, if he/she feels it's warranted - I try super hard to never be my own doctor or tell other people what their doctor should be doing.
The good news is, an enlarged prostate is very treatable and I hope, for your comfort, the doc gets right on it. I had serious complications with my cancer treatments and now have a permanent catheter and collection bag so I know somewhat of the hell you are going through with the urination problems. Good night Mark. I'll be keeping you in my thoughts and prayers.

Q: 39 years old with prostate???????
I just turned 39 and go for prostate biopsy in 2 weeks. My urologist told me I have a "grossly" enlarged prostate, over 80 grams, however, I have only minor symptoms. How common is it that men under 40 have prostate problems?

A: It is not that common for men under 40 or around 40 to already have prostate issues:but it can happen
I guess you had several blood tests done before you urologist decide to take a biopsy.
Take care
Colors

Q: Can you diagnos lymphoma from an ultrasound?
Recently during a yearly physical my doctor found a lump in my left breast. 2 months before that I have found a few enlarged lymph glands under my arm. My doctor at that time did a CBC, mono check, and strep test all fine, then gave me an antibiotic which did not get rid of the lymph glands. Back to my physical, besides the lump in the breast, I had lost 10 lbs since my last apt 2 months prior, and still had the lymph nodes plus several more now under both armpits. He sent me over for an immediate mammogram and ultrasound. Both confirmed the lump in breast was an enlarged gland. The ultrasound also showed 8-12 enlarged lymph glands under both arms, ranging from .8 cm up to 3/4 of an inch. The radiologist said the lymph nodes appeared normal shape, with white center and black ring around them so he was not concerned and said the dr needs to figure out other reason for weight loss. Forgot to mention I also had large gland in neck and groin all on same side when I first went to doctor. He has also checked my thyroid as well. I am wondering if the ultrasound can rule out lymphoma. My grandfather died at age 40 from Hodgkin's lymphoma and his son (my uncle) also passed away from lymphoma. I want to make sure that this is not over looked when I go to the doctor. So if I need further tests to rule out lymphoma please let me know so that I can be persistent with my doctor. My family also has a MSH6 gene mutation that results in early onset of invasive colon, breast, ovarian, pancreatic, prostate (in men), and uterine cancers. I am way over due for my colonoscopy and have also experienced severe constipation, to the point that I have to take as many laxatives as I would for a colonoscopy prep every 7-10 just to have a bowel movement. So if the lymphoma is ruled out I will pursue a quick colonoscopy just in case the constipation is caused from colon cancer. Either way I need to figure out the weight loss. I am small to begin with at 5'4" 115 lbs and am now weighing 101, which is 14 lbs in 12 weeks and I am starting to feel exhausted, my joints are achy, and my muscles constantly feel sore like I have worked out the day before. So if anyone has any info and questions that I should ask the doctor or any tests that need ran, or if the ultrasound we enough to rule out lymphoma; please let me know. Thanks
Sorry so long!

A: It cant rule out lymphoma, but it can be a strong indicator of it. The only way to be 100% sure is to have it biopsied to check for malignancy.Obviously your doctor wasnt overaly concerned or he would have ordered one. Most of the lymph nodes are not that big. Lymphoma ridden nodes are ussualy an inch or more. And tend to be found in the neck area in most cases.

Sorry to hear about your grandfather. Sadly he lived in a time when lymphoma surival rates were not very good. Today, about 9 out 10 hodgkin lymphoma patients are cure. And about 8 out 10 nhl lymphoma patients are cured. I have a family member who is a oncologist who specializes in lympphoma, and my college roomate had it as well, so I know my fair share about it.

Q: Need insight on lab results?
My biggest concern is lymphoma. I am being seen by my primary, and endocrinologist due to a thyroid nodule, and a neurologist. I’m trying to educate myself to help find answers. I've tried researching elevated B12 and the only things I could find said either Hepatitis or some cancers. My Hep tests (and liver enzymes) are negative/normal ranges. These labs were ordered by my neurologist because I currently have an Idiopathic Autonomic Nervous System Disorder due to sensory loss in feet and ankles according to him. (I won't see him till after first of year) Other symptoms are low BP; bad itchy skin - lower legs, behind knees, perimeter of armpits year round, rest of torso in winter months, loss of appetite, fatigue, pain beneath/behind collarbones (for @ 6 months). Also have a solid nodule (was complex until after FNA) on thyroid along with smaller cystic nodules. Do not have Hashimoto's antibodies. Have had an enlarged inguinal lymph - right side - for over 1 year, and for at least a week, enlarged lymph node right side - above voice box and under tongue.
There are some from 3 months ago listed for comparison reasons.

Test - 9/26/08 - 12/02/08 (ref value)

WBC - 9.32 - 8.4 (4.0-11.0 k/uL)
RBC - 4.49 - 4.59 (4.2-5.4 M/uL)
HGB - 14.4 - 15.1 (12.0-16.0 g/dL)
HCT - 43.1 - 44.1 (37-47%)
MCV - 96.0 - 96.1 (80-100 fL)
MCH - 32.1 - 32.9 (27-34 pG)
MCHC - 33.4 - 34.2 (32-36 g/dL)
PLT - 243 – 235 (150-400 k/uL)
RDW-CV -12.4 - 12.6 (11.7-15.0%)
MPV - 10.9 - 11.6 (H) (7.3-11.1 fL)

Neutrophil 63.1 - 58.7 (40-70%)
Abs Neutrophil 5.88 - 9.93 (1.8-7.7 K/uL)
Lymphocyte 23.5 - 28.6 (22-44%)
Abs Lymphocyte 2.19 - 2.40 (1.0-4.0 k/uL)
Monocyte 9.5 (H) - 7.9 (H) (0-7.0%)
Abs Monocyte 0.89 (H) - .66 (0-.08 K/uL)
Eosinophil 2.9 - 3.8 (0-4%)
Abs Eosinophil .27 - .32 (0-0.4 k/uL)
Basophil 1.0 - 1.0 (0-1%)
Abs Basophil .09 - .08 (0-0.2 K/uL)

Misc Labs 12/08 for reference

ANA by EIA – 1.7 (H) (low: <1.5 OD)
(Anti-SM, Anti-RNP, Anti-SSA, Anti-SSB, Anti-Jo-1, Anti-SCL-70 – all negative)
Vitamin B12 - 710 (H) (221-700pg/mL)
Hep B Core Ab, total – Neg
Hep C Antibody IA – Neg
HBsAg – Neg
HepB Surface Ab Qual – Neg
HIV 1 & 2 Ab EIA – Non Reactive

There is a high incident of cancer in my family.
Father's side:
My grandfather and 4 of his brothers had cancer.
GF - prostate, Gr.Unc.1 - Thyroid, GU2 - bladder, GU3 - prostate
Reason to believe Great Grandfather had cancer as well. He committed suicied in 1928 due to "health reasons"
Cousin - recently passed away from an aggressive leukimia
Mother's side:
Mother has CLL, also a breast cancer survivor, Great Grandmother - stomach cancer.
Would appreciate any insight into all this.
I tried answering the responses, and this is the only way I found to do it. Don't know the ages of diagnosis, other than my mother. Both CLL and Breast Cancer were under 50 years old. I mention lymphoma because of the thyroid nodule. According to the National Cancer Society - because we have a family member that had a thyroid cancer, and because my father also has a multi-nodular goiter - I am at an increased risk of developing thyroid lymphoma. If the nodes don't go down by the time I see my neuro for follow up - I will ask about biopsy. From what I understand, that is the only true way to test for lymphoma. I will be getting tested this coming Monday - EMG, QSRT, Tilt table and skin biopsies (looking for nerve damage).My sister also has a low BP problem, and mine has been like this for a few years - regardless of my fluid and salt intake. That is in part why the neuro tests.
Auto-immune disorders also run high on dad's side, including me - I have morphea scleroderma.
Thank you!

A: Hi,

The high B12 is barely high, if you are taking multivitamins this could cause this.

Almost all of your labs are normal, your monocyte % and absolute are a bit high, this can be from a number of reasons. The fact that you have multiple enlarged lymph nodes, you may want to ask your primary physician about getting these possibly biopsied to rule out any malignancies. I have included a website that I recommend to everyone and use it when I need to do quick research at work.

Hope this helps.
NS - Clinical Lab Scientist