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Summary from biopsy

User
Posted 03 Nov 2022 at 00:45

Summary from biopsy

Procedure: Template ( Transperineal ) Prostate biopsy under GA
Indication: PSA 60ng/ml
DRE: slightly firm left base. not particularly malignant.

Plan: Home later today if remains well and passing urine
 Review histology at MDT
 OPA with results

 

After seeing the specialist in Urology due to my high PSA and a negative for infection I attended hospital for a biopsy on Monday. Today on the 'patients know best' app I got an alert that my record had been updated with the above report. I'm not sure what to think or what the road ahead holds but it has lifted my depression, but only slightly. I wonder what "not particularly malignant" means considering my PSA is 60. I've not spoken to anyone yet so have no idea where I go from here or what I can hope for future wise.

Could do with some advice though and honesty would be appreciated, thanks.

User
Posted 03 Nov 2022 at 06:59

Hello Gerry,

The only result you have here is from the Digital Rectal Exam (DRE, finger up the bum), which is that it wasn't particularly alarming. The DRE can often sense if there's cancer on the rear of the prostate and roughly how big it is, but a normal DRE doesn't mean there's no cancer, just that it might be elsewhere in the prostate.

The biopsy samples will have been sent off to histology for them to analyse. When they have done this, your case will be reviewed at the MDT (Multi-Disciplinary Team meeting). The MDT meets weekly and discusses all cases where there's been any change since the previous MDT, such as new test results available. It consists of the urologists, oncologists, radiologists, specialist nurses, and maybe the histologist. They will then decide what to do next, such as to request more tests, or what treatments to offer you. They intend to call you back for an outpatient appointment (OPA) when they have the results, where they'll discuss them with you. I don't know what other tests you've had, but if cancer is found (which is quite likely with a PSA of 60 and no infection), it's common at that stage to order a nuclear bone scan at least, and sometimes they'll want additional scans too.

So at the moment, you (and they) are waiting for the biopsy results. These are important as they are the definitive diagnosis of any prostate cancer, and they indicate the aggressiveness (Gleason score), and the extent/location inside the prostate.

Going through diagnosis is often the most anxious time because it feels like you lost control of your life. Once you get to the end of this with your final diagnosis and treatments are suggested, the anxiety levels usually reduce significantly as you're taking back control, as well as becoming more informed about this disease. Do ask any questions here - most of us have been through the process you're going through, and we can recall what a worrying time it was.

User
Posted 03 Nov 2022 at 21:41

Thanks, Andy for replying. I wonder why it's called a Digital Rectal Exam as there was nothing digital about it, more like a digit up the bum 🤣 I've already had the nuclear bone scan as I mentioned I had back pain to the Urologist during the initial examination. Though I have suffered from back pain all my life.

Yes, this is proving to be a very anxious time. Yesterday I was thinking of getting a new keyboard for my computer and a thought entered my head that I should hold off as I may not be around long enough to get full use of it. How ridiculous is that?!

I will be back again once I get my diagnosis for sure. Right now I think I've come to the conclusion there is cancer indeed but it's the not knowing how much time is left. You always think you're going to die of old age and it only happens to other people, not you, and then this happens. It's a real wake-up call and in some ways it's done me good.

 
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