CT and Bone scan before being told its cancer

Unfortunately, there is no simple reliable test to show a man has Prostate Cancer (PCa). There can be other reasons why a mans' PSA may be high for high for his age, such as having an unusually large Prostate for example. Generally the higher the PSA, the greater the suspicion that it is PCa, feeling anything unusual by way of the DRE adding to this suspicion. Unless there are established other reasons for it, a PSA of 16 would usually call for more tests, such as (a) scan(s) and biopsy. Consideration of all of these tests, usually by a Multi Disciplinary Team (MDT) will lead to a diagnosis. Should this be cancer the tests should enable in most cases for the type of PCa, concentration and how far it has advanced to be ascertained. There are sometimes cases where cancer has not been found but is still suspected and in such cases tests may be repeated

It can take time to progress the various tests and for the MDT to discuss at their next available meeting, leaving the man on tenterhooks .Where PCa has been determined a man will be told his treatment options offered by his hospital. There may be other options but not all hospitals will mention these if that don't provide such forms of treatment. It is often left to a man to decide which treatment to plump for as they all have pros and cons. Reading or down loading of the 'Tool Kit' as here can help by providing impartial information. https://shop.prostatecanceruk.org//our-publications/all-publications/tool-kit?limit=100

The risk of a man having PCa increases with age but does not always require early treatment.

Incidentally, I was diagnosed following a PSA taken when blood was taken to check for something else. My Dr asked if I agreed to this because it can lead to diagnosis and treatment which in some cases can be regarded as 'overtreatment'. In fact with some Drs you have to plead with your Dr to have a PSA/DRE check. Many men have PCa but don't exhibit symptoms.

Where found early PCa can be treated with curable intent or if further advanced various treatments can be provided to further slow the advance of what is usually a slowly advancing disease.

Edited by member 03 Nov 2022 at 14:28  | Reason: Not specified

Best wishes,

Chris

Hi Nick
Please do not panic. I was diagnosed wit PC back in August 2018. I too had an MRI and it showed something of interest in my prostate right up to the capsule. Subsequently I had a mapped biopsy in October which showed I had PC Gleason grade 4+5. I saw a consultant privately as the NHS could not respond quickly and had aCT scan late December to confirm it had not spread to ribs or pelvis etc. I was operated on with a robotic assisted nerve sparing (if possible depending on spread) RP at Guys Cancer Centre London Bridge, my two sons helped fund the £20K bill.
The surgeon also removed 17 lymphs and biopsy showed it had spread to 1 node :(. He spared the nerves on my left side.
I had a hiccup on recovery but all seemed to go well. I thought I was the luckiest man alive until June 2020 when my PSA came up to 0.2 having been undetectable for so long. Oh @£$%. I had a choline CT scan and it showed a return of the cancer in a lymph on my right side. I started Prostap October 2020 and my psa dropped to undetectable again and underwent Radiotherapy (80 Gray in 30 fractions) February through to April 2021. As I write this my psa is still undetectable and I spoke to my Oncology Consultant yesterday who agreed that I could come off the Prostatap as I have been on it for two years now and it is having an adverse effect on my moods as I sit here in tears.

For those of you who read my story feel free to reach out as there are other tales to tell of how Prostap affects people in different ways.

I would like to say also that I have a very supportive wife who has had to endure all the £$%^ I have given her and, LynEyre who posts her regularly, is an inspiration on this forum and reading her posts has helped me and my wife along.

Edited by member 25 Nov 2022 at 11:31  | Reason: spelling

Your story sounds similar to my husbands Nairda. His operation was at the same hospital so possibly same surgeon too. He had one node infected out of the 14 removed. His psa has remained undetectable for 11 months but we keep expecting that to change. Could I please ask how long after your op was your PSA rise above undetectable?

Thank you

Elaine

Edited by member 26 Nov 2022 at 04:31  | Reason: Typo

Thank you for your reply Nairda. I guess it will always just be a stressful time waiting on the PSA results always wondering ‘is this the one’.

Great news about your brother in law, hope that continues.

Glad you can get off the prostap now and that you have responded so well to all the treatment. Best wishes.

Elaine