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Biopsy - Ultrasound - Biopsy

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User
Posted 29 Mar 2018 at 12:05

I had an MRI scan a couple of weeks ago and have received a letter arranging an ultrasound biopsy.


DRE exams over the years by different doctors/specialists have said "enlarged prostate" and I have a history of PSA tests over 5 years from 0.8 to 1.4 (I am in early 50's).  I have a family history of prostate cancer and so am deemed high risk.


I have cancelled the ultrasound biopsy as I have not yet had a chance to speak to my specialist about the MRI scan results.  My specialist said that after the DRE and PSA tests he would have discharged me if it was not for the family history.  He arranged an MRI scan to double check things and said that dependent upon that he might then arrange a biopsy test.


I am thinking that the biopsy is to double-check but I would really like to discuss my MRI scan results first and look at the options before have the biopsy.


Any thoughts or views as it could be a month before I get an appointment to see the specialist?  I have had 3 PSA tests over the years and 4 DRE's.

User
Posted 29 Mar 2018 at 12:32

The scan is a good indicator but not perfect - the best way to determine whether or not you have a problem is to have an MRI followed by biopsy (ideally) or a biopsy followed by MRI. If there are other indicators, the biopsy should be done regardless of whether the scan was clear - there are some prostate cancers that simply do not show up on scans.

When you say there is a family history, it isn't always as straightforward as you being at risk because your dad had it. 60% of men in their 60s and 70% of men in their 70s have some cancer in their prostate although many never realise or never need treatment. The biggest risk factor is being male - less than 10% of prostate cancers are believed to be genetic although many, many more will be environmental. What does significantly increase your risk is if your dad or other close family members were diagnosed young (in their 40s or 50s) and/or having close relatives with breast or uterine cancers.

"Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards." Soren Kierkegaard
User
Posted 29 Mar 2018 at 12:34

PS instead of cancelling the biopsy, you could perhaps phone the nurse specialist or your consultant' s secretary to confirm whether the scan showed any grey areas.

"Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards." Soren Kierkegaard
User
Posted 29 Mar 2018 at 17:10

Lyn is quite right about the genetics. For years I have been beefing about the fact that three out of four male cousins had PCa. I wondered if my mother and her sister had passed on a genetic fault. I eventually had a long chat with an NHS genetics counsellor (imagine that!) from Birmingham who calculated that I had a less than 0.7% chance of there being a genetic issue. That provided me with great reassurance so far as my son is concerned. It is probably as simple as the fact that we older codgers don't have quite such efficient systems for removing rogue cells as we did when we were young!

AC

User
Posted 30 Mar 2018 at 12:14

Originally Posted by: Online Community Member


I had an MRI scan a couple of weeks ago and have received a letter arranging an ultrasound biopsy.


DRE exams over the years by different doctors/specialists have said "enlarged prostate" and I have a history of PSA tests over 5 years from 0.8 to 1.4 (I am in early 50's).  I have a family history of prostate cancer and so am deemed high risk.


I have cancelled the ultrasound biopsy as I have not yet had a chance to speak to my specialist about the MRI scan results.  My specialist said that after the DRE and PSA tests he would have discharged me if it was not for the family history.  He arranged an MRI scan to double check things and said that dependent upon that he might then arrange a biopsy test.


I am thinking that the biopsy is to double-check but I would really like to discuss my MRI scan results first and look at the options before have the biopsy.


Any thoughts or views as it could be a month before I get an appointment to see the specialist?  I have had 3 PSA tests over the years and 4 DRE's.



 


Thank you for your post because I could relate to your situation.


I am 51 and one of my three older brothers was diagnosed with PCa at 56 ( that increases my risk by 2.5 times according to Prostate Cancer UK https://prostatecanceruk.org/prostate-information/are-you-at-risk/infographic-what-is-my-risk)


My PSA score when first measured when I was 45 in 2011 was 1.2 and in 2018 was 6.5


The Hospital doctor who did my DRE said my prostate was smooth


I had my MRI done a week on ago on March 23rd and am waiting for a follow up appointment with the hospital


The Hospital doctor I saw told me that an MRI scan is 90% accurate at detecting cancer.


Like you I am hoping to be told the results of the MRI scan before I have a biopsy. 


As well as urinary problems I have hip pain, lower abdominal pain and lower back pain so naturally I am fearing the worst.


 

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User
Posted 29 Mar 2018 at 12:32

The scan is a good indicator but not perfect - the best way to determine whether or not you have a problem is to have an MRI followed by biopsy (ideally) or a biopsy followed by MRI. If there are other indicators, the biopsy should be done regardless of whether the scan was clear - there are some prostate cancers that simply do not show up on scans.

When you say there is a family history, it isn't always as straightforward as you being at risk because your dad had it. 60% of men in their 60s and 70% of men in their 70s have some cancer in their prostate although many never realise or never need treatment. The biggest risk factor is being male - less than 10% of prostate cancers are believed to be genetic although many, many more will be environmental. What does significantly increase your risk is if your dad or other close family members were diagnosed young (in their 40s or 50s) and/or having close relatives with breast or uterine cancers.

"Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards." Soren Kierkegaard
User
Posted 29 Mar 2018 at 12:34

PS instead of cancelling the biopsy, you could perhaps phone the nurse specialist or your consultant' s secretary to confirm whether the scan showed any grey areas.

"Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards." Soren Kierkegaard
User
Posted 29 Mar 2018 at 17:10

Lyn is quite right about the genetics. For years I have been beefing about the fact that three out of four male cousins had PCa. I wondered if my mother and her sister had passed on a genetic fault. I eventually had a long chat with an NHS genetics counsellor (imagine that!) from Birmingham who calculated that I had a less than 0.7% chance of there being a genetic issue. That provided me with great reassurance so far as my son is concerned. It is probably as simple as the fact that we older codgers don't have quite such efficient systems for removing rogue cells as we did when we were young!

AC

User
Posted 29 Mar 2018 at 22:00

The specialist did say it was about 8% chance heredity.

Thank you for your replies :-)

User
Posted 30 Mar 2018 at 12:14

Originally Posted by: Online Community Member


I had an MRI scan a couple of weeks ago and have received a letter arranging an ultrasound biopsy.


DRE exams over the years by different doctors/specialists have said "enlarged prostate" and I have a history of PSA tests over 5 years from 0.8 to 1.4 (I am in early 50's).  I have a family history of prostate cancer and so am deemed high risk.


I have cancelled the ultrasound biopsy as I have not yet had a chance to speak to my specialist about the MRI scan results.  My specialist said that after the DRE and PSA tests he would have discharged me if it was not for the family history.  He arranged an MRI scan to double check things and said that dependent upon that he might then arrange a biopsy test.


I am thinking that the biopsy is to double-check but I would really like to discuss my MRI scan results first and look at the options before have the biopsy.


Any thoughts or views as it could be a month before I get an appointment to see the specialist?  I have had 3 PSA tests over the years and 4 DRE's.



 


Thank you for your post because I could relate to your situation.


I am 51 and one of my three older brothers was diagnosed with PCa at 56 ( that increases my risk by 2.5 times according to Prostate Cancer UK https://prostatecanceruk.org/prostate-information/are-you-at-risk/infographic-what-is-my-risk)


My PSA score when first measured when I was 45 in 2011 was 1.2 and in 2018 was 6.5


The Hospital doctor who did my DRE said my prostate was smooth


I had my MRI done a week on ago on March 23rd and am waiting for a follow up appointment with the hospital


The Hospital doctor I saw told me that an MRI scan is 90% accurate at detecting cancer.


Like you I am hoping to be told the results of the MRI scan before I have a biopsy. 


As well as urinary problems I have hip pain, lower abdominal pain and lower back pain so naturally I am fearing the worst.


 

 
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