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User

Posted 02 Feb 2020 at 17:18

Hi all,

Bit of history. My other half is having prostate investigations. He originally went to the dr about a colon polyp which he's prone to. They are always benign thank God. Anyway he had a dre and the dr said his prostate felt hard. This was confirmed at the colonoscopy exam.

His Psa is 3 and he's 62.

So we went to the urologist and he's booked in for a biopsy. However the chap said yes it was hard in the middle and he had a 50/50 it was cancer. He doesn't have enlargement or any symptoms that would suggest prostatitis. I am convinced it is 100%, not 50. I know these people aren't in the business to be over nice or give false hope but what on earth could the hardness be if not cancer. Nothing I've read suggests it can be anything else. I know...stop googling :)

User

Posted 02 Feb 2020 at 19:35

He should get a mpMRI scan before the biopsy.
That also estimates the chance of cancer (and guides exactly where in the prostate the biopsy should be taken from).

We can't guess if he has prostate cancer. However, if he has, it's probably been caught very early.

User

Posted 02 Feb 2020 at 20:15

I expected him to have the scan and I confidently ( and falsely) told him he would have one first. However the Uro went straight for the biopsy saying the scan wouldn't tell much.

I was surprised as I knew they used it as a guide for the area from which to take the samples. I guess because it's in the middle he thought it would be easy to pinpoint. I don't know but he's in on Friday. He had his colonoscopy recently and it was very painful. I've told him this won't be as bad and if he survived that he will,survive this.

User

Posted 02 Feb 2020 at 21:51

I would make a strong request to have the MRI first, Not only can it help decide where to take the cores in most cases if a biopsy is called for but means not having to wait for the Prostate to Heal before doing an MRI. This is what a Professor who is known to at least two members on this forum says about it :- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J6OszGI85wI

Barry

User

Posted 02 Feb 2020 at 22:09

Sounds very similar to my own situation. Definitely insist on scan first then probably targeted biopsy. Also, (in my opinion) you should ask about time frames for treatment if necessary.....refer to this site for support and phone specialist nurses available through this site to discuss your concerns.

Good luck

User

Posted 02 Feb 2020 at 22:27

Hi, A psa of 3 isn't high and could be said to be well within the range of normal at 62. Although the average is quite a bit lower from what I've read.

I had the biopsy first 3 years ago, got the result in 2 weeks and had an MRI and Bone Scan 4 days later. Now having an MRI first is regarded best practise.

My biopsy was 12 pin and only 1 pin found bad cells even though only one side of my prostate was hard, so they'd know roughly where to look. I don't know what would have happened it they'd missed it. In your case it seems they think something is there so likely they'd give you a template biopsy.

As the psa is 3 there is a good chance it's early and prostate cancer is usually classed as slow growing. If the biopsy finds something it could be better to have it before the MRI although if it doesn't and they think it needs another biopsy then it probably isn't.

It must be tough to decide whether to ask for an MRI first. I must admit I just wanted quick treatment and might have been fortunate it went reasonably well.

User

Posted 02 Feb 2020 at 23:19

I think he just wants to get it over. To say he's not looking forward to it, is a massive understatement.

It's just come as a great shock. He litterally has no symptoms at all ( as with most men I believe ) He had no relatives with it and of course the "why me" starts quite naturally.

the logical side of me says yes, if it's there it's early days but the catastrophic side has been googling the deadly high grade stuff that doesn't elevate psa. I think I'm going to stick to pestering you guys and keep away from that old quack Dr Google ;)

User

Posted 03 Feb 2020 at 06:39

John was 50, had a PSA of 3.1 and cancer in every bit of his prostate plus spread to the bladder. He had surgery 10 years ago and then salvage RT 8 years ago. PSA has remained at or around 0.1 ever since.

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

User

Posted 03 Feb 2020 at 08:31

Without a mpMRI scan first, the hospital is failing to conform to PROMIS protocol.
Unless there's some reason he can't have a scan, this shouldn't be allowed to happen.

User

Posted 03 Feb 2020 at 10:00

Well we had a letter this morning and the things been cancelled...'unforeseen curcumstances'...

Don't know whether I'm worried or angry :(

User

Posted 03 Feb 2020 at 10:15

Great opportunity to push for mpMRI scan first.
I would start by contacting your clinical nurse specialist (Macmillan?).

User

Posted 03 Feb 2020 at 12:25

I feel at bit naive really. I didn't think they cancelled stuff to do with cancer diagnosis.

User

Posted 13 Feb 2020 at 21:53

Well, there seems to be a change of mind somewhere. Now we've had a letter for a MRI appointment on the 24th. So I guess we'll be having that first after all.

Tomorrow he's in for a colon polyp removal. Under GA because it's by a nerve ending. Would you believe it, he woke this morning with a sore throat and a bit of a cough. He's really down in case they cancel it because it's been dragging on for months plus he wants it out of way for when these prostate tests start.

It's only minor Day surgery, a quick snip and cauterise the sight but as I say under GA. Do they normally cancel? He is quite down already and I really hope they don't.

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