Biopsy results questions to ask

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User

Posted 14 Dec 2020 at 15:19

I hope this is the correct place to write this post. My name is Shaun I am 50 years old and last Tuesday I had a transperenial Biopsy as I had slightly enlarged prostate which was firm and hard on one side and MRI confirmed PA-RADS 5 diagnosis however I had low PSA 1.9. I have a telephone appointment tomorrow to discus the results and I would like this forums advice on what questions I need to ask to ensure when I come off the phone I have all relevant information.

Thanks Shaun

User

Posted 14 Dec 2020 at 16:04

Hi Shaun

If biopsies confirm cancer we were advised to ask what type it was and that adenocarcinoma was the most common type.

What is the Gleason score (take note of both numbers the way they are given to you)?

My husband’s results told him there was PNI (peri neural invasion). He was told no evidence of EPE (exprostatic extension) however this was proved to be incorrect following the post op histology report. So you could ask if there are any signs if PNI and EPE.

How many cores were taken and how many cancerous? Is it unilateral or bilateral? The size of prostate?

When will I be discussed at MDT meeting ?

Good luck and best wishes 🌹

User

Posted 14 Dec 2020 at 18:41

1. When will the case be discussed by the multi-disciplinary team?
2. If it has already been discussed, what treatment options are available to me and did the MDT make a recommendation of one over the others?
3. Will an appointment be arranged so that I can speak to an oncologist as well as a surgeon?
4. Do I have a named urology nurse / clinical nurse specialist?

If it turns out to have been a negative result (which I think you realise is unlikely) how often do they recommend that you have PSA monitoring tests in the future and is there any plan to repeat the biopsy and mpMRI in the future?

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

User

Posted 14 Dec 2020 at 21:07

Thanks for your reply Lexi really helpful

User

Posted 14 Dec 2020 at 21:10

Thanks for your reply Lyneyre much appreciated

User

Posted 20 Dec 2020 at 03:22

Hi everyone I thought I would give you an update on my biopsy results following my telephone call with the consultant. After being told I had Pa -rads 5 and enlarged prostate and seeing two large masses on the mri when I went for my biopsy I was fully expecting to be told that I had some form of cancer. However my consultant stated that no cancer was found in any of the 18 biopsy’s samples and that I had inflammation due to an infection and have been given a new course of antibiotics for another six weeks. Whilst this was amazing news and shock as I had mentally prepared for something else I am still left with one question. I have read that biopsies aren’t 100% accurate and want to know whether I am now being paranoid or whether I should have a larger biopsy that the consultant said I could have which would take 50 samples under a general. I guess This is because I still don’t know whether inflation/infection can have the symptoms I was having and this is what caused the two masses or whether there is still a possibility it is something else . Can the biopsy samples definately confirm that the masses is caused by inflammation/infection ? I appreciate this is great news for me and don’t want to seem ungrateful I just want to be sure

User

Posted 20 Dec 2020 at 08:32

With a PSA as low as yours and negative results from an MRI-guided biopsy I'd suggest putting it out of your mind and enjoying Christmas!

Best wishes,

Chris

User

Posted 20 Dec 2020 at 10:37

They took the samples from the suspicious areas and all they found was some infection - I would say that is reason to celebrate.

What you have read about biopsies sometimes being unreliable is more to do with the biopsy samples being taken randomly. Where the MRI has shown an area and the samples were taken from that area, much more reliable.

That's not to say there couldn't be some tiny cluster of cells somewhere so it is important that you have regular PSA tests in the future.

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

User

Posted 20 Dec 2020 at 12:24

Good news Finchie......get the Egg Nog cracked open. Wishing you a peaceful Christmas. Take care.

User

Posted 25 Dec 2020 at 07:45

Finchley,
Be VERY thankful of your diagnosis!
After the antibiotics have finished consider signing yourself up for a “ Wellman” check in 12 months or so if you are worried to include a PSA test.

Don’t forget to support Prostate cancer charity events if you see them as they will help the rest of the poor souls stuck with pointy end of the stick?

Have a great Christmas

Buzzy

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