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CT scan only?

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User
Posted 31 Jul 2024 at 20:25

Hi all,


 


Long story short. Dad, who has dementia cannot have MRI for safety reasons. So consultants new plan is to do top to toe CT scan and will be giving a "clinical diagnosis" of prostate cancer using this only. No biopsy.


If cancer is found outside of the prostate, treatment. If not, no treatment.


Has anyone else had this experience? His brother around 10 years younger has just been diagnosed with stage 3 prostate cancer after lots of testing. How would we know its not a fast spreading cancer?


Does this sound right? 

User
Posted 31 Jul 2024 at 20:25

Hi all,


 


Long story short. Dad, who has dementia cannot have MRI for safety reasons. So consultants new plan is to do top to toe CT scan and will be giving a "clinical diagnosis" of prostate cancer using this only. No biopsy.


If cancer is found outside of the prostate, treatment. If not, no treatment.


Has anyone else had this experience? His brother around 10 years younger has just been diagnosed with stage 3 prostate cancer after lots of testing. How would we know its not a fast spreading cancer?


Does this sound right? 

User
Posted 01 Aug 2024 at 08:11
Not sure how much help I can be as only just going through the testing stage myself. Others on here will have way more knowledge but I assume it will be a case of regular PSA blood tests and possibly more scans in the future.

From the point of view of whether it is contained in the prostate or not, I had a clear CT scan and due to this I am having to have a PSMA Pet scan (today as it happens) to confirm no spread.

You don't mention how Dad got to this stage, what triggered the conclusion he has Prostate cancer?

Dave

User
Posted 01 Aug 2024 at 08:23

Wishing you all the best with your journey Dave ❤


So far, based on raised PSA(8.4) and enlarged, hard prostate. He pretty much said they would be diagnosing it but my understanding is that CT is not that conclusive when looking at the prostate 🤷‍♀️

User
Posted 01 Aug 2024 at 15:06

Some dementia patients can't have MRI scans, as they require you to lay still for ~45 mins. CT scans are much faster, and often achievable.


This can also cause issues with many treatments being unsuitable too.

User
Posted 01 Aug 2024 at 16:28

Thanks for the reply, I understand that, it just feels very uncertain you know?


The not knowing if its an aggressive type, i will just keep wondering, like a limbo. Its hard to have it all on my shoulders too when he doesnt fully understand. Wouldnt wish this on anyone

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User
Posted 01 Aug 2024 at 08:11
Not sure how much help I can be as only just going through the testing stage myself. Others on here will have way more knowledge but I assume it will be a case of regular PSA blood tests and possibly more scans in the future.

From the point of view of whether it is contained in the prostate or not, I had a clear CT scan and due to this I am having to have a PSMA Pet scan (today as it happens) to confirm no spread.

You don't mention how Dad got to this stage, what triggered the conclusion he has Prostate cancer?

Dave

User
Posted 01 Aug 2024 at 08:23

Wishing you all the best with your journey Dave ❤


So far, based on raised PSA(8.4) and enlarged, hard prostate. He pretty much said they would be diagnosing it but my understanding is that CT is not that conclusive when looking at the prostate 🤷‍♀️

User
Posted 01 Aug 2024 at 15:06

Some dementia patients can't have MRI scans, as they require you to lay still for ~45 mins. CT scans are much faster, and often achievable.


This can also cause issues with many treatments being unsuitable too.

User
Posted 01 Aug 2024 at 16:28

Thanks for the reply, I understand that, it just feels very uncertain you know?


The not knowing if its an aggressive type, i will just keep wondering, like a limbo. Its hard to have it all on my shoulders too when he doesnt fully understand. Wouldnt wish this on anyone

 
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