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Newbie - partner having tests

User
Posted 02 Feb 2025 at 08:18

Hi everyone, I’m Kate, 56, and my partner is currently having tests for prostate cancer. He had a raised PSA,[that came back as 35],  and then had a bone scan which showed a suspicious looking lymph node, but no other involvement.  He then had an MRI (multi parametric MRI of prostate) which came back as a grade 5, and we’re now waiting for a date for him to have a biopsy. Understandably we’re both a little apprehensive! 
He says he has to have the prostate removed by surgery but I’ve said let’s get the biopsy done first and then see what the specialist says, trying not to jump too far ahead right now! He’s told his manager at work, and I’ve told my line manager in case I need time off to go with him to appointments/ further intervention. 

Edited by member 02 Feb 2025 at 08:33  | Reason: Not specified

User
Posted 02 Feb 2025 at 09:46

Hi Kate,

Going through diagnosis is far from easy, I know. But once results from the biopsy are in, you'll know more about what you're dealing with, and what treatment options are on the table. 

Good luck. 

Kev.

 

User
Posted 02 Feb 2025 at 12:29

Hi Kate.

I'm sorry that you've had to join the club but welcome to the forum.

There's nothing I can add to what Kev has said, the biopsy will shed more light on your husband's condition. There are many concerned partners on here. Please keep us updated and we will do our best to help and support you. 

Best of luck to you both. πŸ‘

User
Posted 02 Feb 2025 at 18:39

Hi Kate,

My PSA was 36 at diagnosis, so not much different. There is a chance that it might have broken through the capsule with a PSA like mime(and your husbands) but you really need to wait and see. I know how difficult that is…I was all set for surgery until it was ruled out by the MDT meeting. Mine had just nudged into the Semimal Vesicles with staging T3B. I know how difficult it is not knowing so just try and keep your lives as normal as possible during the waiting,  and be good to yourselves.

Good luck to both of you on your journey!

Derek

User
Posted 07 Feb 2025 at 10:29

Hi Kate, 

Hope it goes smoothly on Monday. 

It took two weeks for my results, but that was five years ago. 

Good luck, 

Kev.

User
Posted 07 Feb 2025 at 11:08
Hi Kate,

I had my results back 1 week post biopsy. I assume the medical team have already explained the biopsy procedure to you both in detail?

Wishing you both all the best.

Seb

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User
Posted 02 Feb 2025 at 09:46

Hi Kate,

Going through diagnosis is far from easy, I know. But once results from the biopsy are in, you'll know more about what you're dealing with, and what treatment options are on the table. 

Good luck. 

Kev.

 

User
Posted 02 Feb 2025 at 12:29

Hi Kate.

I'm sorry that you've had to join the club but welcome to the forum.

There's nothing I can add to what Kev has said, the biopsy will shed more light on your husband's condition. There are many concerned partners on here. Please keep us updated and we will do our best to help and support you. 

Best of luck to you both. πŸ‘

User
Posted 02 Feb 2025 at 14:07
Thanks both, yes we have to wait for the biopsy obviously, I just think my partner is already at diagnosis in his head, and I'm just trying to get him to take it step by step, not easy for him obviously or for me, your mind does tend to work overtime! I've told him NOT to google anything but to be guided by the urology specialists. He has been given a number for the urology cancer specialist nurse if he does have any questions or concerns, Thanks again for your support.
User
Posted 02 Feb 2025 at 18:39

Hi Kate,

My PSA was 36 at diagnosis, so not much different. There is a chance that it might have broken through the capsule with a PSA like mime(and your husbands) but you really need to wait and see. I know how difficult that is…I was all set for surgery until it was ruled out by the MDT meeting. Mine had just nudged into the Semimal Vesicles with staging T3B. I know how difficult it is not knowing so just try and keep your lives as normal as possible during the waiting,  and be good to yourselves.

Good luck to both of you on your journey!

Derek

User
Posted 02 Feb 2025 at 22:17

Thanks Derek

Will try to keep positive and try not to overthink things, he said he’s going to speak to the urology department tomorrow (we both work in the hospital), where he’s having the biopsy and where so far he’s had all the tests, to see if he can find out anything. 

User
Posted 07 Feb 2025 at 10:19

Hi everyone 

He’s got a biopsy on Monday next week, thankfully I’m day off as I’m working all weekend but I’d have taken time off anyway if needed, 

how long for the results, any idea? 

Hope everyone is keeping well 

User
Posted 07 Feb 2025 at 10:29

Hi Kate, 

Hope it goes smoothly on Monday. 

It took two weeks for my results, but that was five years ago. 

Good luck, 

Kev.

User
Posted 07 Feb 2025 at 11:08
Hi Kate,

I had my results back 1 week post biopsy. I assume the medical team have already explained the biopsy procedure to you both in detail?

Wishing you both all the best.

Seb

User
Posted 07 Feb 2025 at 12:28
He’s been sent the letter with an information leaflet,

Thanks guys, will keep you posted

User
Posted 10 Feb 2025 at 17:16

He’s home from having the biopsy, I must say it was quicker than I thought (perhaps not quickly enough for him! )
Results in about 3 weeks, the urology cancer nurse specialist spoke to us, she was very kind and very open and honest, and she said the likelihood is that it is very likely cancer, she said she’d be surprised if it wasn’t, and it seems to have broken out of the prostate, and there appears to be lymph node involvement but no metastatic disease which is good. /She did say that his prostate is a normal size, which I think surprised my partner because he I think interpreted the grading on the MRI as being representative of the size of the prostate which is not what it indicates at all as I understood it yesterday but I may have heard wrong.   We now are awaiting the results and an appointment following the MDT  meeting. It all hinges on the Gleason score, which I have heard about through reading on here, my partner hadn't. 

 

The nurse did say that they only recommend surgery for PC that is solely confined to the prostate, because my partner's has "migrated" outside it, surgery, although would remove the cancer in the prostate, wouldn't remove the cancer from the lymph node[s] and he would require additional treatment. She said they are confident they can cure it via other treatment methods. I'm confident that they're confident, but my partner is angry that he feels he's not being listened to. I tried explaining to him what I understood where the nurse is coming from and that we still don't know anything more until the biopsy results come back. I get it that he's probably very scared, it is a scary concept, but I want to support him the best way I can, but these specialists know their stuff, we don't. We have to be guided by them. 

 

 

He really wasn't happy that surgery isn't recommended, and is adamant he's willing to put himself through it, I think, obviously he's scared that the prostate cancer cells could mutate further and that's why he wants the whole thing out. I can see both his perspective and that of the nurse but neither of us are experts in the field, we have to be guided by those that are. Difficult though it may be. I'm hoping they can explain the options more clearly when the biopsy results come back. 

 

Edited by member 11 Feb 2025 at 09:30  | Reason: Not specified

 
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