Prostate health
A raised PSA, worked up carefully in Johns Creek and Cumming
A PSA result that came back higher than you expected is a reason to sit down with us, not a diagnosis by itself. Our urologists look at the number against your prior values, your age, medicines such as finasteride or dutasteride, and recent infection or a long bicycle ride that might have nudged the result.
When a PSA change deserves a visit
A first elevated value, a rise from your own baseline, or a prostate exam that needs an explanation can all be worked through at the Johns Creek Clinic & Surgery Center or the Cumming Clinic. We will say when a repeat blood test is the right first move, when MRI would change the plan, and when a biopsy is the honest next step. We keep screening and treatment as separate conversations.
How we evaluate a raised PSA
The visit starts with your history and a review of every PSA you can bring, even older ones. A digital rectal exam, a urine check when it would help, and a conversation about MRI come next when they would change what we do. Biopsy, when recommended, is explained in the same office, including preparation, the day itself, and how results come back. Our journal article on high PSA and biopsy and our prostate health page cover parts of this sequence in more detail.
Treatments we discuss after a diagnosis
If cancer is found, our urologists talk through active surveillance, robotic prostatectomy, radiation — which can include brachytherapy — and other options we actually offer. That conversation belongs on our prostate cancer page. A PSA number alone does not start it.
Dr. Neal Patel, Dr. T. Casey McCullough and Dr. Nicholas Farber see these visits in Johns Creek. In Cumming, Dr. Neal Patel, Dr. Herman Bagga, FACS, Dr. Rut Patel and Kushan Radadia, MD, share the same work. Meet them on the care team pages.
A related official video on elevated PSA
An official Advanced Urology video on this topic.
Watch: What is Elevated PSA and how Advanced treats itWhat the video covers. This official Advanced Urology video is titled "What is Elevated PSA and how Advanced treats it." It discusses elevated PSA and how Advanced Urology evaluates it.
Does one high PSA mean I need a biopsy this week?
It means you should be seen, not that you must go to an emergency department. We will look at the number against your prior results and decide whether to repeat it, order imaging, or talk about biopsy.
Can I start this work-up in Cumming?
Yes. Cumming can complete the clinic evaluation. If a procedure is later recommended, we schedule it at Johns Creek, and the urologist who already knows your results is the one who performs it whenever that is how the plan was made.
What should I bring to a PSA visit?
Every PSA result you have, a medicine list — especially finasteride or dutasteride — and notes about recent infection, ejaculation or a long bicycle ride before the last blood draw. Our what-to-bring page has the rest of the list.
Do you use MRI before biopsy?
In selected men, yes, when it would change the plan. It is not an automatic next step after a single lab draw.
Who will explain the biopsy results?
The urologist who arranged the biopsy, or a colleague in the same office team, will go over them with you and talk through what they mean for follow-up or treatment.
Is a raised PSA an emergency?
Almost never. Book a clinic visit. Seek emergency care if you cannot empty or are passing a large amount of blood and feel faint.
Whenever a visit would help, the Johns Creek and Cumming teams are a phone call or a booked appointment away.