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First post looking for advice - Biopsy,prostate

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User

Posted 30 Apr 2016 at 08:35

Hi all

This is my first post so hope I am in the correct area. I live in Spain and with the language barrier I am not sure if I am understanding my diagnosis.

Over the past months I have had two blood test which both confirmed I have a high PSA level (7.2 & 7.5), The only symptom I appear to have is going to the toilet at night more frequently, although to be honest i have always gone to the toilet at night two or three times ever since i can remember, (I'm not a good sleeper and often awake and just go to the toilet without actually feeling the need to go) my Doctor sent me to the Urologist at my local hospital, who gave me a DRE and then referred me for an Ultra Sound examination.

I had the Ultra sound and i the follow up visit to my specialist was told i would have a biopsy, although he said that the Ultra sound revealed nothing untoward.

What I am not sure about is this Am i having the biopsy to ensure i do not have prostrate cancer or are do they think that I do have Prostrate cancer and are looking to see the extent of the problem to ascertain what treatment (if any) I will need?

Hope you can help

regards

User

Posted 30 Apr 2016 at 09:58

hi happy
I would say going on what you have already been told re the ultra sound showing nothing untoward that they are just making sure, the biopsy will take round 10 snips from your prostate these will be tested to see if you have PCa and to what extent,
you may just have an enlarged Prostate this will press on your bladder causing issues, if they find anything from the biopsy then I would have thought they will give you various other scans.
the hard part is the waiting for the result of the biopsy, don't know how you will be informed but have pen and paper to hand to make notes

did anyone tell you as to how your Prostate felt when you had DRE

regards
nidge

run long and prosper

'pooh how do you spell love'

'piglet you dont spell love -you just feel it'

User

Posted 30 Apr 2016 at 10:36

Hi Nidge
Thanks for your post, I didn't think to ask after the DRE, to be honest it was a bit of a struggle to think what to ask as i had to go through an interpreter, but he gave no indication that there was anything specific, I think my Dr was concerened that the PSA had gone up from 7.2 to 9.7 (I misread the blood test results on my first post) in six months, and over here they really go in for preventative checking, which is very reassuring.
In fact from seeing the first specialist to being told about the biopsy its been 8 days, and i have been told that the biopsy and results should be done by the end of May but probably within two week.
I can't you believe how quick they work over here in Spain
Thanks again
Tony

User

Posted 01 May 2016 at 15:58

HappyH,

I have just been through a similar experience. I had been meaning to have a PSA test for over 10 years as my father has PSA. I only took the test for reassurance as I had no symptoms.

1. I was surprised when I got the results of the test and my PSA was 11.5 (I'm 62 years so the limit was 4).

2. My doctor gave me a digital rectum test (DRE), but said that he was referring me for a biopsy as my PSA was high.

3. The Urologist did a DRE and said that he was sending me for a MRI scan, but that was only to determine whether I would have a trus or template biopsy.

4. The scan was clear, but the Urologist said that the scan was clear, but he wanted me to have a template biopsy.

5. I had the biopsy and it was clear, I have to go back in 6 months.

Having checked this site, I believe I could not have been treated better. It looks like you are getting similar treatment with the exception that the MRI has been swapped for the ultrasound. I have not investigated the advantages/disadvantages of MRI versus ultrasound, but I had an appointment on Wednesday about a problem I have with my little finger, which a MRI scan had not found anything wrong. During the appointment the doctor gave me an ultrasound, which showed the muscle/tendon was becoming detached from the bone; so I suspect that they both have there uses.

I hope that you understand the above as you said that English is not your first language. I will not tell you "not to worry" as I got told that and it didn't really help. I found that it was the waiting was the worst part so I hope that you get the biopsy and results quickly.

NB. I was please that I had a template biopsy as they take more samples from more areas, so I understand that it is more accurate.

User

Posted 01 May 2016 at 19:23

Tony,
In view of the lack of information, it is difficult to comment. other than to say that there can sometimes be other reasons than PCa why a PSA is high, an infection for example. We don't know whether the urologist felt something suspicious or was being very proactive due to your PSA readings. Biopsies can sometimes miss cancer, so if nothing is found the next step might be an MRI or a period of monitoring.

Yes the major continental countries process patients more speedily than the NHS, though the actual treatment here is pretty good. The NHS is overstreached and underfunded.

Can't see where twsm read that English was not your first Language. Although in living in Spain, I see UK was your country according to your Profile and your posts indicate a good grasp on English.

Do come back to us when you have more details.

Barry

User

Posted 02 May 2016 at 06:59

Hi Barry
Many thanks for your post, yes I am English living in Spain, your post is most helpful as has been everybodies, it's good that there are others out there that have experienced similar situations and have an understanding of how others feel.

I suppose because of the shock of finding the PSA levels going up over the six months period between my two blood test, I have obviously started to worry about lots of things.

I am looking at my life style, which i believe could be a contributory factor to the rise in PSA levels, for instance I do drink a lot of tea and carbonated (although sugar free) drinks, and my lifestyle here in Spain is one of entertaining more often and going out, so my alcohol levels have also risen. I will look at all this and cut down on the drinks of tea, carbonated drinks and alcohol and see if this does make a difference.

The Spanish medical service does seem to be very pro-active in all medical problems not just this particular one, which is re assuring in itself.

Will keep you up to date on my progress

Thanks again to all
Tony

User

Posted 02 May 2016 at 08:48

Hi, HappyH.

Not much to add, but I just wanted to warn you that after the biopsy your ejaculate may look like it is just blood. I was told it may be a little pink, but it was a shocking raspberry colour, and I was glad I chose to see what it was like on my own belly and with tissues to hand rather than onto my other half!! It returned to white/off-white after 3 or 4 ejaculations.
Best of luck with your test results.
Henry

User

Posted 02 May 2016 at 09:02

Hi Henry
Yes I was warned of that by my Urologist also it will be in my water and possible in my poo, but I would be put onto a course of antibiotics to ensure no infections.
Doesn't sound very nice but worth it to find out what the cause of my problem really is.
regards
Tony

User

Posted 02 May 2016 at 19:39

Tony,

You mentioned in your OP that you had a pee upto 3 times a night when you didn't really need to. This is perhaps because you hope to avoid waking up yet again for real need. Some years ago I attended a urinary continence clinic because of frequency. I was told as a part of bladder retraining to resist passing water for as long as possible, as if you go frequently the bladder becomes lazy and will want to be emptied more frequently. I was told to cut back on coffee and opt for the decaffinated type and also have decaff tea. Cranberry juice was recommended to help pacify the bladder. I think there is not a problem with tea, there is a bigger doubt about milk and dairy which many of us have reduced or replaced with substitutes.
Avoiding late night drinking can also help reduce the need to pee during the night.

Barry

User

Posted 14 Jul 2016 at 13:01

Hi all just an update

I got the results of my Biopsy today and was told I have a small tumor on my right side, and now before they decide what is the best treatment they want to establish how advanced the cancer is, so I am to have an MRI scan.

They said once that is done they can give me the best treatment, but didn't expand as to what that treatment might or could be.

Can anybody offer me further advice please

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