Dr. Soffen, who has treated prostate cancer for over three decades, emphasizes that a PSA score below 4 ng/mL does not guarantee a clean bill of health. His experience highlights the importance of monitoring trends rather than relying on a single snapshot. After a urine DNA test indicated a 50 percent malignancy risk, a follow-up MRI and biopsy confirmed the diagnosis, allowing for early intervention.
When a Normal PSA Score Masks Cancer
“My PSA was actually a little lower than it had been six months earlier,” recalls Edward Soffen, a veteran prostate cancer specialist. Despite a seemingly healthy result, his urologist detected a fluctuation that prompted further testing, ultimately revealing a malignancy that standard screening metrics had failed to flag.
Faced with a range of treatment options—including CyberKnife, radioactive seeds, and conventional IMRT—Soffen opted for proton therapy. The precision of this method allowed him to target the tumor while minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissue. Brian Chon, medical director at ProCure Proton Therapy Center, notes that this case underscores a vital lesson for National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month: patients must advocate for deeper investigation when clinical markers appear inconsistent or unexpected.
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