I'm interested in conversations about and I want to talk about
Know exactly what you want?
Show search

Notification

Error


Very worried about referral for high PSA

User
Posted 10 May 2018 at 12:20

Chris

An MRI scan cannot accurately differentiate between benign and cancerous tissue, but some experienced doctors may have an opinion.

I would suspect you will get a biopsy, personally if I have a nodule, I would definitely want one anyway to be sure what it was!

In my case there were 2 different types of biopsy;

1. TRUS - where an ultrasound probe with attached needle is inserted in the anus and after a local anaesthetic, the needle punctures the bowel wall into the prostate to gather samples using ultrasound to guide the needle. There is a small risk of sepsis with this procedure so they put you on anti-biotics. 

2. Trans perenial Template - where an ultrasound probe is again inserted into the anus, but the biopsies are taken via a template mounted between your legs in the area between the anus and the back of the scrotum. The needles are guided through the tissue by ultrasound and your MRI scan data, so are more accurately targeted than TRUS. I had this. Mine was a day case. this is done under general anaesthetic. I had 32 biopsies taken. I was admitted at 8AM and went home at 2PM (I was first on the list) All I had to do was to be able to pass an set amount of urine to be discharged.

I had no post procedural pain, but had to keep off my bike for 2 weeks! You can get blood in your urine and semen after this procedure.

 

 

Edited by member 10 May 2018 at 12:22  | Reason: Not specified

User
Posted 10 May 2018 at 13:33

Thanks, Alan.

Got the appointment through for the MRI next Wednesday, and then the biopsy probably on Monday 21st, so things are moving along. Yes, the urologist explained about the different types of biopsy and said that it was most likely I'd have a TRUS.

Chris

User
Posted 10 May 2018 at 14:55

Another change of plans. Just had another phone call from the hospital. Now MRI scan will be (as above) next Wednesday lunchtime, and the biopsy at 5:30pm the next day (I am assured they will have the MRI results.). Can't say I'm looking forward to the biopsy one bit, but at least I really couldn't ask for things to happen any more swiftly!

Chris

User
Posted 10 May 2018 at 20:11

Not so much waiting then - it will all be done with before you know it.

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

User
Posted 10 May 2018 at 22:02
Chris

My experience was that the thought of the biopsy was worse than the actual event. All over in a few minutes, back to work the next day, a bit of blood in the urine and pink semen for a few days.

Thanks Chris

User
Posted 11 May 2018 at 11:35
I wish you the very best for your procedure Chris and a benign diagnosis

Edited by member 11 May 2018 at 15:02  | Reason: Not specified

User
Posted 11 May 2018 at 17:15
Thanks, Alan. With a PSA of 31 and the urologist feeling a nodule I'm resigned to the fact that it's probably going to be a diagnosis of cancer, but one can hope that it's one of the less aggressive varieties. Fingers crossed!

Chris

Edited by member 11 May 2018 at 17:38  | Reason: Not specified

User
Posted 12 May 2018 at 22:17
Chris, I think I said, my PSA was 38, no symptoms, just thought I would get a test. No nodules or external indications. Waiting is the worst bit, I think in a strange way I was relieved when I got the results, even though it was bad. At least I could then concentrate all my efforts on fighting it
User
Posted 13 May 2018 at 15:46

Hi Chris reading through your posts you seem to mirror what happened to me, although my PSA was higher. I was diagnosed with Cancer last December following a biopsy and then offered various treatment choices, I went through various options including radio therapy, brachytherapy or surgery. After discussions with the various health professionals I opted for radical laparoscopic prostatectomy as of all the options this gave me the best outcome. Now I wont try to claim that this will be best for you but so far it has proved to be very good for me. There are downsides of course, ED and incontinence being the most obvious, but both can be overcome with patience and help from your specialist nurses and doctors, and of course with help from family. There are other obstacles that have to be overcome but my message to you is never give up hope and just keep on living as you always have. When I was first diagnosed I was devastated and began to feel sorry for myself but with the support of my wife and family and all the health professionals I feel so much better and positive and a lot less negative. Good luck to you I hope everything works out well for you.

User
Posted 13 May 2018 at 17:05

Thanks, Ants. I’ve gone through a whole gamut of emotions with this thing. The first few days after the PSA results I was absolutely terrified and I don’t think I slept for about three nights. Then I was angry - the whole “Why me?” thing. Now, though, I just want to know the outcome and I’m determined to maintain a positive attitude and not let this defeat me. Living alone it’s all too easy to start letting your imagination think of all sorts of dire possibilities, but I’m trying to keep myself as busy as possible and occupy my mind with other things. This group has been a tremendous help to me!

By the end of next week I should know the biopsy results, so not too much longer to wait.

Chris

User
Posted 14 May 2018 at 20:36

Hi Chris, best of luck for your biopsy results, no matter what the outcome stay strong and stay positive. Even if the results are not good don't lose hope there are so many different treatment options and all give good outcomes especially if your cancer, if you have it, has been caught early. Wishing you all the very best. Will pray for you.

Ants

User
Posted 16 May 2018 at 18:38

mpMRI scan today - that went fine, although felt like an eternity (I'm slightly claustrophobic, so MRI scanners aren't my residence of choice!). Biopsy tomorrow which, I have to confess, I'm kind of stressed about, but I'm sure I'll get through it ok.

We're getting there slowly but surely.

Chris

User
Posted 16 May 2018 at 20:10

Hi Chris,

Biopsy can be uncomfortable but does not take to long. I opted to have mine under general anesthetic and was glad I did as I was in and out in no time. A little blood in the urine and some small bleeding from my bottom but other than that no real pain or problems. It is not as scary as it sounds. So good luck to you hope it all goes well.

 

Ants 

User
Posted 17 May 2018 at 19:14

Well, "mixed news" I think is the best way to describe today's experience.

First, the good news: the MRI scan didn't show any abnormalities in my prostate. The not so good news: it DID show an abnormality in one of my kidneys, so now I've got to have a CT scan of my abdomen. Do these "un-asked-for" issues never end???

The PSA test I had last week came back as 32 (the previous one was 31, so about the same), so the biopsy went ahead. Very, VERY unpleasant. Two weeks wait now for the results of both the biopsy and the CT scan. Get the results the day before I go away on holiday, so I'm hoping the news isn't too bad.

All in all, not a great day. Feeling very sore at the moment, and very depressed - it just seems to be one thing after another at the moment. I lost my mother suddenly and unexpectedly at the start of April, had the PSA results a couple of weeks after that, and now to cap it all it seems I have a kidney "abnormality". I feel as though this has not exactly been my lucky year so far :(.

Chris

Edited by member 17 May 2018 at 19:54  | Reason: Not specified

User
Posted 18 May 2018 at 13:16
And you had the new MpMRI Scan Chris? Much more successful in diagnosing prostate cancer than MRI.

User
Posted 18 May 2018 at 13:41

I wonder if it will turn out that the kidney irregularity is causing the PSA spike, and the prostate is fine?

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

User
Posted 18 May 2018 at 14:39

Hi Chris,

I had a friend who had similar problems that you have described and his kidney abnormality was down to an enlarged prostate not a cancerous one. It might also be that you have kidney stones which can also cause raised PSA levels. Here's hoping for good news.

Ants

User
Posted 18 May 2018 at 15:48
Originally Posted by: Online Community Member
And you had the new MpMRI Scan Chris? Much more successful in diagnosing prostate cancer than MRI.

Yes, it was an mpMRI - I specifically asked.

The good news (I guess) about the kidney is that purely by coincidence I had some blood tests done for cholesterol, etc, only a few weeks ago, and they included a kidney function test which came back entirely normal.

I've now got a CT scan booked for 9:30 on Monday morning.

Chris

User
Posted 18 May 2018 at 16:12
Originally Posted by: Online Community Member

I wonder if it will turn out that the kidney irregularity is causing the PSA spike, and the prostate is fine?

That would be the ideal outcome. Fingers crossed you're right!

Still quite sore today after the biopsy and I feel like I'm having to go to the loo every 10 minutes! I guess the biopsy has bruised my prostate and it's swollen as a result. Whereas last night I was passing what looked like a stream of blood, today it's just a bit of blood at the start and then it's clear, so hopefully that's a sign of healing.

I'm feeling a little more hopeful today that the kidney abnormality may perhaps turn out to be good news rather than bad. Just have to wait and see!

Chris

User
Posted 21 May 2018 at 15:22

Had my final diagnostic test this morning - a CT scan - and I've managed to move the appointment at which I'll get the results up to this Thursday at 3pm, so in three days' time I'll know where I stand. I'd managed to persuade myself that I was prepared for whatever the results might bring, but I have to confess that with only three days to go I'm absolutely petrified. Just have to get through it a day at a time. I really don't have anyone I can talk to about this, which makes it more difficult.

The quantity of blood I'm peeing as a result of last Thursday's biopsy seems to be decreasing, so hopefully that's on the mend. Difficult to imagine now that it was only 2nd May - 19 days ago - that I got the abnormal PSA result and all this started. Seems like a lifetime ago.

Chris

Edited by member 21 May 2018 at 15:26  | Reason: Not specified

 
Forum Jump  
©2025 Prostate Cancer UK