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User

Posted 25 Feb 2019 at 20:49

Who knows? Presumably the same reason that Calderdale & Huddersfield Trust has not updated their equipment to offer diagnosis to PROMIS standard 🤷‍♀️

Even in areas where mpMRI is available, it isn't always offered to all men. It is being pushed as a diagnostic tool so perhaps men that are already diagnosed and have chosen AS are not in the right 'cohort'

"Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards." Soren Kierkegaard

User

Posted 18 Jun 2019 at 10:11

My recent PCa history is that on the 22nd Feb my urologist did a DRE and found no chance since the previous one 12 months ago. My PSA spiked to 7 at this time but dropped to 5.5 by March 8th.
Original biopsy in Feb 2018 of Gleeson 3+3 6 - Low to intermediate risk T2a left. Confined.

I have had no symptoms whatsoever.

At the end of last year I started getting sciatica and have been to see a chiropractor who has managed to help however the problem is still there.
My GP therefore sent me for an MRI scan on 7th June and I went to see him yesterday as he had received the radiologists report.

Various things going on with my spine which I am to be referred to a physiotherapist to hopefully deal with.

There was however one more thing. To quote the report
"A small focus of low T1 and T2 signal in the right iliac bone is likely to be sclerotic, the differential diagnosis for which includes metastatic prostate cancer"

"Impression Probable/possible metastatis in right bone"

I am due to have a mpMRI on Saturday anyway and my GP told me to ask the MRI team to cover the pelvis with this scan. He is also going to book me in for a bone scan. Today I am having a PSA and Calcium blood test.

My GP did try and reassure me that taking into account my recent history of low PSA and no change in DRE result that the likelihood is that the what the MRI picked up is not cancer. He said it could it possibly be some arthritis (there is some in the my spine) or that it could be an error in the scanning process.

Since my appointment I have been doing some research risks of spread of PCa to the bones and have discovered from various research studies that the chance of having bone metastasis with a PSA level under 10 is extremely remote.

Obviously I'll have a better idea of what's going on after my mpMRI scan and also the bone scan. It would be useful and very much appreciated if someone can perhaps advise on this concern though

A little background information.
Three months ago my wife (she's 51) was diagnosed with breast cancer. She's had a lumpectomy and 15 lymph nodes removed. She's now on Tamoxifen with radiotherapy starting in 5 weeks.
What now with my latest scare it really is grinding me and us down as it seems that our lives are consumed with hospital and doctor visits and treatment. I know we are lucky that we have such a wonderful health service to deal with these matters but you do start to wonder when the bad news will end and you can get on with a normal life.

Edited by member 18 Jun 2019 at 11:15 | Reason: Not specified

User

Posted 18 Jun 2019 at 10:56

Did you have an mpMRI prior to your biopsy last year (which I presume was a rectal TRUS)?

In my experience the GPs I have met in the last few years know very little about prostate cancer, which is why I present them with PCUK’s ‘Toolkit’ comprehensive information folder, whenever I have a consultation.

They seem to accept the Toolkit graciously. Whether they ever read any of it (or have the time to) is another matter.

Cheers, John.

User

Posted 18 Jun 2019 at 11:13

No. The hospital that I was attending didn't have access to an mpMRI so it was just a conventional MRI that didn't show any sign of PCa. That is why I asked to be transferred over to St James's, Leeds, where they have that facility.

Yes, it was a rectal TRUS. 1 out of 10 cores showing 5%.

User

Posted 18 Jun 2019 at 18:02

Any MRI scanner can do an mpMRI scan, although there are different methods for newer scanners.

Did you have an injection part way through the scan (usually done remotely through a canular so you don't need to move)? It's a gadolinium-based contrast agent. That would be a mpMRI scan. The images with the contrast are compared with those without - that's the multi parametric.

Gadolinium can't be used in patients with poor kidney function, so you normally have to answer some questions before they can give you the contrast. If you can't have it, then you need a newer scanner which can do contrast enhancement in different ways.

User

Posted 18 Jun 2019 at 18:37

I've not had an mpMRI yet. My first will be on Saturday at Leeds.

Thanks for the explanation about the process. I'm in pretty good shape so I think my kidneys shouldn't be a problem.

User

Posted 26 Jul 2019 at 19:05

An update.

I had my mpMRI scan and the results apparently show an 8mm focus within the left lower aspect of my prostate. It is possible that this was present on my earlier scan so the MDT are going to obtain that imaging for comparison.

The letter that I received with this result also told me to be "reassured that the scan has not shown any other significant changes and that the scan confirms organ confined prostate cancer."

Today I had my bone scan following on from the suspicious T1 and T2 signal in my right iliac bone after a scan for my sciatica. Results to be sent to my GP in a week's time.

My wife yesterday had her pre radiotherapy scan for breast cancer. My dad next week has an ultrasound scan for his heart problems.

I'm seriously thinking about getting a campervan and just living in the hospital car park. Trouble is the fees mean I'd be penniless within months!

Worrying times although I do try to remember than bone mets are unlikely with Gleeson 3+3 = 6 and a PSA of 5.6

User

Posted 06 Aug 2019 at 22:47

So I had my bone scan during Friday afternoon.

Monday evening at 8.30pm I had a phone call from my GP to tell me that he received the results and there was no sign of any bone metastasis. He knew that I was obviously worried so wanted to pass on the good news as soon as he could. That is absolutely fantastic service and I am so lucky to have him as my GP.

User

Posted 06 Aug 2019 at 23:09

Brilliant - so pleased for you. I hope all goes well for your wife's RT & dad's heart problems you could do with a break, I think?

"Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards." Soren Kierkegaard

User

Posted 10 Aug 2019 at 17:06

I am so pleased for you . My husband gets his bone scan results on Tuesday. I am so anxious I’m making myself ill .

I’m terrified that it has spread as he has awful siatic pain. His MRI was clear but treatment can’t start until we know if there is spread

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