Referral and tests

User

Posted 26 Oct 2022 at 16:09

Hi,

Looking for a bit of advice. (58 Years old btw).

I've been having problems for about a year now. i.e. Struggling to start to pee even though I'm bursting and it hurts, Not fully emptying bladder Etc.

I've been having PSA checks since 2018, but my latest PSA had jumped up quite a lot in just over a year.

2016 - 1.44

2018 - 1.52 (2 Years)

2021 - 1.69 (2 Years)

2022 - 3.34 (1 Year)

GP done a DRE and said all OK apart from slightly enlarged prostate. Urine test fine.

GP says no further tests required - Do you think this is correct? I'd read that a jump like in 2022 could be of concern?

Thanks

Andy

User

Posted 26 Oct 2022 at 17:12

You should query why you have not been referred to urology when your PSA went above 3.1

User

Posted 26 Oct 2022 at 18:41

Unless you are already under the care of a urologist for the urinary problems, politely request that your GP refers you to urology as your PSA is above 3.1

If the GP says it isn't necessary, you may have to insist - and the referral should be on the 2 week pathway, not the 18 month one :-/

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

User

Posted 26 Oct 2022 at 20:34

Doubling in a year even if below the absolute threshold needs investigation.

GPs don't tend to know much about prostate cancer.

GP hasn't solved your urinary problems either, by the sounds of it. (They're not usually anything to do with prostate cancer, but more commonly caused by an enlarged prostate, which is an unrelated condition.)

Edited by member 26 Oct 2022 at 20:36 | Reason: Not specified

User

Posted 15 Aug 2023 at 01:16

Originally Posted by: Online Community Member

Thanks Steve. Hopefully the MRI will help me know one way or the other.
Glad everything good for you now.

Can’t believe you’ve had to wait this long Andy, they should have had you on the two week cancer pathway.

The MRI will tell you how likely it is that you have cancer (a PIrads score of 1-5….with 5 being highly likely) if it’s high you will be sent for a biopsy and that’s when they would diagnose cancer if they find anything.

Best of luck for the MRI 👍

Elaine

User

Posted 22 Aug 2023 at 21:34

Hi,

Still not had the results of latest PSA yet. I presume I’ll get them when I next see the consultant. Will update when I get some news. Thanks.
Andy.

User

Posted 15 Dec 2023 at 20:46

You have prostate problems, but not a strong indicator of cancer. Regular PSA and MRI tests will hopefully catch it early if it exists or becomes significant.

Your immediate urinary symptoms seem to be ongoing. Is a TURP operation appropriate? I believe a TURP is checked for cancer cells. If a TURP is clinically justified for your symptoms then coincidentally being checked for cancer may be useful.

Dave

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User

Posted 26 Oct 2022 at 17:12

You should query why you have not been referred to urology when your PSA went above 3.1

User

Posted 26 Oct 2022 at 18:41

Unless you are already under the care of a urologist for the urinary problems, politely request that your GP refers you to urology as your PSA is above 3.1

If the GP says it isn't necessary, you may have to insist - and the referral should be on the 2 week pathway, not the 18 month one :-/

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

User

Posted 26 Oct 2022 at 18:46

Thanks for reply Jim & Lyn.

I'll go back to the GP and request that he refers me to urology.

User

Posted 26 Oct 2022 at 20:34

Doubling in a year even if below the absolute threshold needs investigation.

GPs don't tend to know much about prostate cancer.

Edited by member 26 Oct 2022 at 20:36 | Reason: Not specified

User

Posted 14 Aug 2023 at 13:22

As LynEyre kindly suggest, I went back to my GP in Oct 22 and insisted in a referral. It’s been a long wait (10 months) but finally just had my urology appointment. The consultant said my DRE is abnormal so been put on a fast track pathway and have an MRI scan next week. Is a 'hard' prostate with raised PSA worrying?

Thanks everyone.

Edited by member 14 Aug 2023 at 13:45 | Reason: Not specified

User

Posted 14 Aug 2023 at 17:01

That’s seems a long wait you’ve had given the circumstances?

User

Posted 14 Aug 2023 at 17:22

hi Decho,

Yes it is, given that I have other symptoms as well. This is sadly how the NHS is currently (No criticism of the excellent staff). They did get an MRI appointment for me this Wednesday but I'm going on holiday that day until next week. I just need to try and put it out of my head until next week.

Edited by member 14 Aug 2023 at 17:29 | Reason: Changed title

User

Posted 14 Aug 2023 at 19:36

Andy, have you had any further PSA tests since last October?

User

Posted 14 Aug 2023 at 19:54

Hi. No, but they done one today. Just have to wait for the result and MRI scan in a weeks time.

Edited by member 14 Aug 2023 at 20:45 | Reason: Not specified

User

Posted 14 Aug 2023 at 21:06

Originally Posted by: Online Community Member

Is a 'hard' prostate with raised PSA worrying?

It is concerning as that is what I had - ended up with a biopsy of 3+4=7 and a RARP which ended up on the lab table at 4+5=9 T3aN0M0 but since the op in May, everything has been fine. So yes, it needs attention just to be sure.

User

Posted 14 Aug 2023 at 21:23

Thanks Steve. Hopefully the MRI will help me know one way or the other.
Glad everything good for you now.

User

Posted 15 Aug 2023 at 01:16

Originally Posted by: Online Community Member

Thanks Steve. Hopefully the MRI will help me know one way or the other.
Glad everything good for you now.

Best of luck for the MRI 👍

Elaine

User

Posted 22 Aug 2023 at 20:48

mpMRI (without contrast) done this afternoon. Now the wait begins.

User

Posted 22 Aug 2023 at 21:31

Originally Posted by: Online Community Member

mpMRI (without contrast) done this afternoon. Now the wait begins.

Best of luck Andy. Did you get the results of your latest PSA?

User

Posted 22 Aug 2023 at 21:34

Hi,

Still not had the results of latest PSA yet. I presume I’ll get them when I next see the consultant. Will update when I get some news. Thanks.
Andy.

User

Posted 22 Aug 2023 at 22:23

Originally Posted by: Online Community Member

Hi,

Still not had the results of latest PSA yet. I presume I’ll get them when I next see the consultant. Will update when I get some news. Thanks.
Andy.

Ah ok. Fingers crossed you won’t have to wait too long and hopefully you get good news 👍

User

Posted 31 Aug 2023 at 14:20

Hi again,

I had my MRI on Tuesday 22nd August and I'm waiting for the result.

Does anyone know how long this takes and how you get the results? I have no follow up appointment booked and no-one told me how long the results would take.

Does the fact I've heard nothing for 9 days mean it's more likely to be good news?

Thanks

Andy

User

Posted 31 Aug 2023 at 15:00

Hi Andy,

Not sure you can really take much from the length of time you wait to be honest.

We have a friend who had his MRI on Sunday and has an appointment tomorrow to get the results. Rob also had his on a Sunday and although we didn’t get any results we had a phone call the following Friday to book him in for a bone scan so I knew the results were available. After me completely breaking down on the phone on the Tuesday we had a consultant phone call within 5 minutes with the information we wanted. (Or didn’t want 🤷🏻‍♀️)

Maybe give them a call by tomorrow to see if results have been sent out to you already, just so you don’t have the anxious wait over another weekend.

Fingers crossed for good results for you and all is clear 👍

User

Posted 31 Aug 2023 at 15:06

Thanks Elaine. Will give them a buzz tomorrow.

User

Posted 02 Sep 2023 at 17:14

Called PALS to ask how long I would be expected to wait for an MRI result and about 30 minutes later someone from urology called to say a letter was coming out to me soon, it just had to be checked. I asked if it was good news and they said they couldn't tell me. I'm sort of presuming if the MRI results are in a letter then they must be good news.

I'm surprised no follow up has been booked. Regardless of the MRI results I still have all the problems that I went to the Urologist in the first place.

The wait continues.

User

Posted 02 Sep 2023 at 20:34

I feel your pain, waiting on results is awful. Try and do things to make you happy, be good to yourself and hopefully it will take your mind off it and the news will be good when it comes. Staying positive is not always easy but I find it does help getting through this ordeal.

Derek

User

Posted 02 Sep 2023 at 20:47

Thanks derek.
Long walk for me tomorrow to enjoy the late summer.

User

Posted 15 Sep 2023 at 20:18

Hi again,

Been nearly 4 weeks since my MRI (without contrast) but finally got a letter from the consultant... no meeting or call with consultant.

"Your MRI was reviewed by our nurse specialist. Appearances suggest prostatitis" "Propose course of antibiotics & another PSA and MRI in 6 months time".

That's it. Nothing about the MRI report, nothing telling me what my last PSA was.

What are peoples thoughts on this? I thought I'd get a score from the MRI? At least what the PSA was?

User

Posted 15 Sep 2023 at 20:24

Your PSA result should be on your health record. You could ring up the GP and ask the receptionist for the result.

Looks like you are going to be ok for now and they will be keeping an eye on you.

User

Posted 15 Sep 2023 at 20:31

Thanks Jim. The PSA was organised by the hospital. I'll go back to the consultant to see if I can get what the results were.

Do you think the MRI should have been with contrast? Does it make much difference?

User

Posted 15 Sep 2023 at 20:36

Well as Jim says you can probably get the PSA results from your GP. Bare in mind the PSA is probably going to be high because of the prostatitis so might not tell you much. I guess a pirads score would be nice, but I guess if it's zero the consultant didn't think it worth mentioning.

Hopefully antibiotics and check in 6 months will confirm nothing to worry about. I think it is still worth having a celebration tonight.

Dave

User

Posted 15 Sep 2023 at 20:42

Thanks Dave. Do you think it's worth asking for MRI with contrast in 6 months? The last one was without.

I am having that beer or two tonight!

User

Posted 15 Dec 2023 at 18:05

Hi again everyone,

Took the antibiotics and they didn't improve my symptoms.

Had another letter from Urology with more info....

PIRADS 3 diffuse lesion in keeping with prostatitis.

PSA 3.28

Prostate volume 48cc.

Hard prostate on DRE.

They have booked me for another MRI and PSA in Feb.

Does this all sound about right? Do you think I should have a biopsy to rule things out?

Thanks.

User

Posted 15 Dec 2023 at 20:46

You have prostate problems, but not a strong indicator of cancer. Regular PSA and MRI tests will hopefully catch it early if it exists or becomes significant.

Dave

User

Posted 15 Dec 2023 at 21:50

Thanks Dave

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