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Waiting time for Template biopsy?

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User
Posted 30 Jul 2018 at 22:23

Hi all

Recently diagnosed with stage 1 prostrate cancer, I am 52 years old and otherwise in good health

I had gone to the doctors earlier this year regarding weeing at night.

My PSA was recorded at 6.0 and I have had a had a TRUS biopsy 3 months ago ( came back with Gleason 6 ) I then had an MRI last month and that is showing areas of concern to the front of the prostrate.

I am now on a waiting list for a Template biopsy with my pre-op arranged for next week, I have asked when the actual biopsy will happen but have not been given a date only told I am on the waiting list and it should happen within 6 months.

 

Can anyone advise of the kinda wait they experienced between pre-op and actual biopsy.?

Thankyou 

:-)

 

User
Posted 31 Jul 2018 at 21:45
Bearing in mind the sort of timescale between preop and Template biopsy, I wonder whether it was meant 'six week' rather than 'six month' between the two. I would seek clarification from the hospital.
Barry
User
Posted 21 Aug 2018 at 01:51

In a talk about which I posted yesterday but on which nobody seems to have commented, the UK's leading expert on Focal Therapy said among many other interesting things that there was growing opinion that Gleason 6 should not be called cancer but an interim name and should only be treated if the volume was high. Cutting the entire Prostate out is simplistic old school approach which for some men is unnecessary and can cause unnecessary harm. I post the link again and recommend what this top man says on the subject be considered. Get past the introductions. http://community.prostatecanceruk.org/posts/t16439-Focal-Therapy---a-treatment-for-some#post192795

 

Edited by member 21 Aug 2018 at 01:59  | Reason: Not specified

Barry
User
Posted 21 Aug 2018 at 04:53
Your family history is a complicating factor, but you may or not be reassured that if you had critical illness insurance with, say, Aviva, they would not pay out on a Gleason 6 as it is not classed as ‘life threatening’.
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User
Posted 30 Jul 2018 at 22:56
That’s shocking - whereabouts do you live? Assuming that the urologist requested the template biopsy rather than you pushing for it, have you discussed with the GP or spoken to the urology nurse specialist to make sure the appointments people are aware that you are on a cancer pathway? If you have already done those things, it might be time to speak to PALS at your hospital with a view to making a formal complaint.

If the template biopsy is at your request and not recommended by the urologist, the normal timescales do not apply and the clock has stopped ticking as far as cancer pathway targets go.

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

User
Posted 30 Jul 2018 at 23:07

Thanks for the reply 

My consultant has recommended that I have the template biopsy and I live in Nottingham. I know nothing about "cancer pathways" but just googled it and I get where your coming from, its all new to me and I'm on a kinda learning curve with it all at the moment...

I have the the pre-op next week and will see if they can advise or maybe be a little more specific regarding a date.  

 

 

Edited by member 30 Jul 2018 at 23:21  | Reason: Not specified

User
Posted 31 Jul 2018 at 00:51
If they can't, I think you might need to rattle some cages.
"Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards." Soren Kierkegaard

User
Posted 31 Jul 2018 at 01:06
It's certainly a very long wait and I would suggest that you ask if you could be brought forward or be given a cancelled appointment. The template biopsy procedure is much more involved than a TRUS biopsy and is increasingly being asked for, so it may be a logistical problem. On the other hand urgent cases are likely to be prioritized so it may be felt that your case is not so urgent.
Barry
User
Posted 31 Jul 2018 at 12:55

Well, well, well, yet another case where a TRUS biopsy has resulted in a subsequent template biopsy. When I was suspected of having cancer I was advised by two friends independently: “Don’t let them palm you off with a TRUS!”. They both had had to suffer both a TRUS and a template. Just like you!

I declined the TRUS and was told there was a “long waiting list” which turned out to be a very few weeks (can’t remember how many). However, either biopsy would still have confirmed a cancer diagnosis.😟

I hope you don’t have to wait too long.

Cheers, John

Edited by member 31 Jul 2018 at 14:50  | Reason: Not specified

User
Posted 31 Jul 2018 at 13:33

Originally Posted by: Online Community Member
If they can't, I think you might need to rattle some cages.

”Asking nicely“ often works as well.

User
Posted 31 Jul 2018 at 20:44

A pre-op should normally be done fairly close to the op.  I know someone who kept needing repeats due to postponement of her op.  The 6 months sounds wrong.  They theoretically have 30 days for diagnosis, considering they've found something new.

User
Posted 31 Jul 2018 at 20:51
I was told that a procedure had to happen within a month of the pre-op, because otherwise the results of things like the MRSA swabs wouldn't be considered reliable.

Also if you as much as set foot in any other hospital after the pre-op you need to be re-swabbed.

Chris

User
Posted 31 Jul 2018 at 21:45
Bearing in mind the sort of timescale between preop and Template biopsy, I wonder whether it was meant 'six week' rather than 'six month' between the two. I would seek clarification from the hospital.
Barry
User
Posted 01 Aug 2018 at 10:55
I had my pre-operative appointment before I had a date for my template biopsy - that gave me a clue that I wouldn’t have to wait as long as I was led to believe.....

The biopsy date was soon afterwards.

Cheers, John

User
Posted 01 Aug 2018 at 17:00

Hi Rik007

I can't help with your specific question regarding waiting time because I am fortunate to be able to have my template biopsy privately so for me it will have been a wait of around 5-6 weeks before I have it on 10th August.

 

It seems we are in a similar position with regards to our "condition" although my TRUS biopsy which was done around 15 months ago was negative with all 12 cores. I thought I was in the clear at the time but a few weeks ago I decided to do something about my peeing issue other than continue with Tamsulosin and Finasteride which I really don't like taking. I asked my NHS consultant about a Urolift but this isn't available in my area so I contacted my work's Private Health scheme and they confirmed I could get it done. When I saw the private consultant he cast severe doubt on the reliability of the TRUS result that I had and said that he strongly advised I had a template biopsy, particularly in view of my PSA level which is around 8.6 on my previous test.(My PSA had fluctuated between 9.8 and 5.6 on previous tests and no upward trend.) After obtaining my medical records and MRI results from the NHS I can see where he is coming from because it described my prostate as having some highly suspicious areas and a lesion of up to 35mm wide.

This was never explained to me at the time and everyone was congratulating me on my "all clear" results and I now feel a bit angry about what I was led to believe after the TRUS.

Anyway, I am now going through the same mental turmoil as I was last year and fearing the worst with the template biopsy and think that will mean we will be quite a close match. On a side note, I just had another PSA test which has dropped to 4.65 but I put that down to the drugs which are capable of reducing PSA levels by 50%.

 

Good luck with your procedure when it comes, I will keep tabs on this thread

All the best

Chris

User
Posted 20 Aug 2018 at 21:37

Hello, 

Only just joined this forum today. I was diagnosed with T1c tumour, Gleason score 6 in April. Saw my specialist in July who advised a template biopsy. Was told could take two to three months. 

Cant help but worry. If the specialist isn’t rushing then should I be worried? Would I still be given a radical prostatectomy option?

A little bit in the dark,

User
Posted 20 Aug 2018 at 21:46

Alpark - Keep calm and carry on!

Look up ‘Active Surveillance”. You might not need to do anything for years apart from regular PSA blood tests, that’s if anything drastic is ever required.

I suspect that’s the reason for the lack of urgency regarding your biopsy appointment.

Cheers, John.

Edited by member 20 Aug 2018 at 21:49  | Reason: Not specified

User
Posted 20 Aug 2018 at 22:13

Hello John,

Ive read about active surveillance, but a small part of me says cancer cells are cancer cells. By their very nature they’re cells that aren’t behaving correctly, changing, growing etc. I’ve had gradually rising PSA levels for the last 4 years, being regularly monitored after my Dad was diagnosed. 

I now know that I have cancer, which, for me is a game changer. My instinct says to get rid of them ASAP, which I suppose is why I’m puzzled as to why I’m having a template biopsy.

I suppose I have to trust the experts, Im a glass half empty type I’m afraid, 

I do appreciate your response,

Cheers

Alistair

User
Posted 21 Aug 2018 at 01:51

In a talk about which I posted yesterday but on which nobody seems to have commented, the UK's leading expert on Focal Therapy said among many other interesting things that there was growing opinion that Gleason 6 should not be called cancer but an interim name and should only be treated if the volume was high. Cutting the entire Prostate out is simplistic old school approach which for some men is unnecessary and can cause unnecessary harm. I post the link again and recommend what this top man says on the subject be considered. Get past the introductions. http://community.prostatecanceruk.org/posts/t16439-Focal-Therapy---a-treatment-for-some#post192795

 

Edited by member 21 Aug 2018 at 01:59  | Reason: Not specified

Barry
User
Posted 21 Aug 2018 at 04:53
Your family history is a complicating factor, but you may or not be reassured that if you had critical illness insurance with, say, Aviva, they would not pay out on a Gleason 6 as it is not classed as ‘life threatening’.
 
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