wait for confirmation of MRI SCAN or BULLDOZE ahead

User

Posted 05 Sep 2018 at 19:58

more from my 1st post a couple of wks ago and now a bit further down line ( PATHWAY , seems be the term you will here a lot ) MY PSA was 4.8 with a normal of 3.5 for my age i was told , so the hospital arranged for me too have a MRI scan , if you have not had your MRI scan yet dont worry too much but is very noisy/clangy i wish some had told me take some headache pills with you , even though they do supply earphones. So had the MRI scan and did question the 6 day gap till i was reserved to get my results and booked in for a TRANS biopsy ( yesterday ) so i see the nurse and she tells me the MRI is on the system but the results HAVE NOT BEEN REPORTED ON BY THE CONSULTANT , but they would still like too go ahead with the biopsy under local annesthetic even though my MRI would only be ready/known next wk... Now for me this biopsy is a big thing after how intrusive i found the x2 DRE and wasnt a very comfortable experience to go through so i was thinking the biopsy under a general annesthetic ( even though it then becomes a minor opp ) and not just a afternoon in patiantant appointment .... now obv if i find i do have a problem with my prostrate then a biopsy is needed to see what is occuring but i couldnt understand the PATHWAY of lets just get on and do the biopsy this aft and we will find out IF YOU NEEDED IT NEXT WK.. is anybody else being BULLDOZED into a biopsy( as though it is nothing )

User

Posted 06 Sep 2018 at 02:52

So in short, the interpretation of the MRI scan should be known before the biopsy. This is even more important with a TRUS biopsy because there are usually only up to 12 core taking needles and it's best that these are directed at any suspicious areas seen on the MRI.

You are getting a quick sequence because it can sometimes take a couple of weeks or so before an MRI scan to is evaluated.

Edited by member 06 Sep 2018 at 02:53 | Reason: Not specified

Barry

User

Posted 06 Sep 2018 at 16:21

Originally Posted by: Online Community Member

it seems a lot worse than a trip too the dentist chris , im told it is a probe a bit bigger than the docs finger stuck up there for 10-15 mins

Yes, it is, but why do you think that it's something you can't deal with? We all have and we're still here to talk about it. It's completely natural to be apprehensive, but honestly the reality is that it's not that big of a deal. I got myself really stressed in advance of my TRUS biopsy, and afterwards I thought to myself "Well, that really wasn't so bad". The probe doesn't hurt and it doesn't move around. There's a slight discomfort as it's inserted, and a small scratch as the local anaesthetic is administered, but then all you feel is a sensation of pressure. There'll be a nurse there to hold your hand and talk to you to distract you while the procedure is taking place. You won't see anything because the surgeon stands behind you.

Originally Posted by: Online Community Member

if the MRI test results is still inclusive are you saying they wont be clear wether id have PC or not ? and the only way too tell is to have the biopsy under a general annesthetic

Yes. A biopsy is the only sure way to know whether or not you've got cancer.

I've gone through a lot of medical stuff this year, Simon. Back in May I was diagnosed with prostate cancer, renal (kidney) cancer, and an aneurysm I could literally have dropped dead from at any moment. Of all the medical procedures I've gone through, the two prostate biopsies (I've had both a TRUS and a template biopsy) rate as the least unpleasant. You're getting yourself all worked up over something that's a minor discomfort.

Chris

User

Posted 06 Sep 2018 at 16:32

You have probably passed much bigger poos than the probe. If there is room for it to come out, there is room for something smaller to go in.

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

User

Posted 06 Sep 2018 at 19:55

To emphasise what Barry said, for goodness sake don't risk not being correctly diagnosed because of fear of the tests. In my own case, having those tests literally saved my life, because purely by chance the scans they did for prostate cancer showed up the far more serious but completely asymptomatic kidney tumour. My consultant told me that if that tumour (which was removed last Saturday) hadn't been found, I would assuredly have been dead from it within 4 years. So prostate cancer tests saved my life, no doubt about it. And that's the thing: until you have them, you never know what those tests will find!

All the best,

Chris

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User

Posted 05 Sep 2018 at 23:34

Does the MRI on the system mean the Radiologist has given a report. If so the nurse probably knows what it says and the consultant will only be rubber stamping it as far as a biopsy is concerned. The nurse told me my results long before I saw a consultant, although I had the biopsy first. You probably don't have a Macmillan nurse if you've not been confirmed but they usually talk you through the results and possible options. Perhaps the nurse you spoke to could though.

Regards
Peter

Edited by member 05 Sep 2018 at 23:40 | Reason: Not specified

User

Posted 06 Sep 2018 at 00:00

who knows what it means Peter ? the nurse was still saying the results had not been assessed /decided on ... are you saying she was lying as she probably not qualified too brake the good or bad news ..... the hospital/consultant is obv very busy but i do think it was just the short 6 day period between MRI SCAN and reserved biopsy appointment was the fact they didnt know ? surley if they just go ahead and do it ( its not as though it just a trip too the dentist ) then a few days later they decide it wasnt needed is not very good my health .... not saying im refusing too have it DONE , WOULD JUST RATHER KNOW if i need to have it done ........ this is the point too my question they just seem to want too get it done anyway wether i need it or not , wondering has anyone else come across the same attitude

User

Posted 06 Sep 2018 at 00:34

It is best practice to do a scan and a biopsy - you are fortunate that you had the scan first but it can't completely rule out cancer as there are rare situations where the scan doesn't pick the cancer up.

Once the uro has the results of both tests, s/he is in a better position to give a diagnosis

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

User

Posted 06 Sep 2018 at 02:52

You are getting a quick sequence because it can sometimes take a couple of weeks or so before an MRI scan to is evaluated.

Edited by member 06 Sep 2018 at 02:53 | Reason: Not specified

Barry

User

Posted 06 Sep 2018 at 12:17

this is a big thing for me lyn , so i am tyring too avoid having a biopsy unless i NEED ONE , are you saying that they cannot tell wether i have PC even after doing the MRI scan so they will want to do the biopsy just incase and then they can tell from that ?

User

Posted 06 Sep 2018 at 12:18

thanks barry , this is a big thing for me , so im just trying too AVOID having a biopsy unless i ABSOLUTLY MUST HAVE ONE

Edited by member 06 Sep 2018 at 12:24 | Reason: missed out a word

User

Posted 06 Sep 2018 at 13:25

I had a template biopsy under general anaesthetic, and whilst it was not ‘nothing’, it turned out to be nothing much. A couple of ‘razor blade’ wees and pink urine and semen for a few days afterwards.

If when your MRI has been evaluated they want you have a biopsy, certainly take them up on the offer. If a TRUS biopsy frightens you, ask for a template instead.

Best of luck.

Cheers, John

User

Posted 06 Sep 2018 at 13:35

Originally Posted by: Online Community Member

Yep. I had a clear MRI and the biopsy found cancer. Don't get too stressed about the biopsy - in terms of level of discomfort I'd put it roughly on a par with having a filling at the dentist. You really do need to have the biopsy. Accept that and move on. No point in stressing about it.

Chris

User

Posted 06 Sep 2018 at 14:36

Same as Chris, my husband had a clear MRI but the biopsy found cancer. MRI scans are good, and mpMRI is even better but men should not be told they don't need a biopsy if they have raised PSA, indicative DRE or symptoms, even if rhe scan looks clear.

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

User

Posted 06 Sep 2018 at 14:43

If it's an MPMRI AND no other symptoms or abnormal DRE Then some urologists would argue that you cannot have a significant cancer ie one that needs immediate treatment.

I would be inclined to insist on the getting the results before you have the biopsy.

Informed patients make the best decisions about their own treatment!

User

Posted 06 Sep 2018 at 15:51

thanks john , it is a TRANS biopsy they had me pencilled in for last tues , but my MRI scan results had not been reviewed/evaluated by the consultant in the 6 day period after my scan , but they was still trying to push me toward a biopsy under a local annesthetic that afternoon and they would tell me next tues/weds wether i actually NEEDED ONE.... SO I DECLINED and after having the results next week if they still say i need one i will have it done under a general annesthetic as i do not think i could take a probe , bigger than the docs finger up there for 10-15 mins , so id rather not know about it till i wake up

User

Posted 06 Sep 2018 at 15:55

it seems a lot worse than a trip too the dentist chris , im told it is a probe a bit bigger than the docs finger stuck up there for 10-15 mins .. if the MRI test results is still inclusive are you saying they wont be clear wether id have PC or not ? and the only way too tell is to have the biopsy under a general annesthetic

User

Posted 06 Sep 2018 at 15:57

yes franc id rather wait and see , least its 50-50 IF I NEED ONE that way , couldnt believe them saying , lets do it now and well let you know next week IF YOU NEEDED IT

User

Posted 06 Sep 2018 at 15:59

thanks lyn , but id rather get my result next wk , then see what the options are from there

User

Posted 06 Sep 2018 at 16:21

Originally Posted by: Online Community Member

it seems a lot worse than a trip too the dentist chris , im told it is a probe a bit bigger than the docs finger stuck up there for 10-15 mins

Originally Posted by: Online Community Member

if the MRI test results is still inclusive are you saying they wont be clear wether id have PC or not ? and the only way too tell is to have the biopsy under a general annesthetic

Yes. A biopsy is the only sure way to know whether or not you've got cancer.

Chris

User

Posted 06 Sep 2018 at 16:32

You have probably passed much bigger poos than the probe. If there is room for it to come out, there is room for something smaller to go in.

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

User

Posted 06 Sep 2018 at 17:03

OMG Lyn was that you with your face pressed up agaisnt my bathroom window , ha ha .... but thanks id still rather wait and see . i was bad enough after the x2 (DRE) the specialist even remarked in my letter/report i was not very comfortable with the whole precedure , that i dont think id be able to let the probe do its job for 10-15 minutes so i think id have to have a general annesthetic if they still telling me i need one , the nurse mentioned monitoring the situation , that sounds like the one for me

User

Posted 06 Sep 2018 at 19:02

Strange but I had thought just the same as Lyn regarding poos and additionally there are some gay men who use the rectum for pleasure,(no intended criticism). Really there should not be a problem in inserting the needles. I didn't have any problem in this respect and without anesthetic for my TRUS biopsy back in 2007. There was a little sting each time the core was taken rather like being flicked with a rubber band and a noise comparable with the 'click' from an office stapler.

I do not wish to add to your concerns but need to be honest. Even the best MRI scans can sometimes fail to show present cancer. TRUSS biopsies sometimes miss cancer and where oncologists nevertheless feel strongly it is present, may recommend a second biopsy. On very rare occasions this has not shown anything and it has taken a third biopsy, likely a Template one, to find any significant cancer but the chances are very much that you will not be subjected to this. However, it does show with the best will in the world how the tools available to consultants sometimes make it difficult to arrive at an accurate diagnosis.

It is of course the prerogative of a man to refuse tests or treatment at any point he so decides. Any PCa he has may never become a problem and he may die of something else. On the other hand his cancer may advance so he faces a rotten death and wish he had gone through with tests and treatment when there was a good chance of cure or long remission.

Barry

User

Posted 06 Sep 2018 at 19:49

thanks barry , i know you are trying too help with my woories and concerns after going through this yourself many yrs ago . did you have a Biopsy with NO annesthetic at all ? ...... so are people saying once on the above normal PSA score of 3.5 then the MRI MIGHT NOT SHOWN ANYTHING EITHER WAY ? then they only way would be too have a 1st/2nd/3d biopsy till they find something ? suppose my issue is till they CAN CONFIRM im hoping ive not got PC

User

Posted 06 Sep 2018 at 19:55

User

Posted 06 Sep 2018 at 21:09

Yes, I'm a very nervous person when it comes to things like this, but I had my Trus biopsy 5 days ago and found it less traumatic than I imagined. The most uncomfortable part was quite a vigorous dre at the beginning. He took 13 samples. There is a nodule which needed investigating. The stressful part now is the 3 week wait for the results. Seems like a long time, but what do I know? Nothing much. There has been no blood in my pee or faeces, but some in my semen. No trouble peeing. Apart from the nodule, there were no symptoms. Best wishes for whatever is ahead!

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