My son had a biopsy of his prostate 29/6/25. There is no sign of a result. Please would you kindly advise if the samples would be viable after 9 to 10 weeks or more. My thanks in advance.
My son had a biopsy of his prostate 29/6/25. There is no sign of a result. Please would you kindly advise if the samples would be viable after 9 to 10 weeks or more. My thanks in advance.
Hi Greenredkite3,
Thanks for getting in touch. My name is Gail, and I’m one of the Cancer Information Nurse Specialists on the Macmillan Support Line.
Thank you for getting in touch. It’s completely understandable to feel anxious while waiting for results. Many families tell us that this period of uncertainty can be one of the most difficult.
I’d like to reassure you that biopsy samples are preserved carefully, so they don’t become unusable after a few weeks. Even at 9–10 weeks, the tissue would still be viable for analysis.
What is more concerning is the delay in communication. In the NHS, if there’s a possibility of cancer, the first biopsy readings are usually prioritised, with a target of results being available within about two weeks. Sometimes results take longer if specialist tests or a second opinion are needed, but you are right to feel that 9–10 weeks is longer than expected.
I would encourage you to contact your son’s hospital team or GP for an update. You might want to contact his hospital team and ask if the biopsy been reported on yet? When can we expect to receive the results? If there has been a delay, what is the reason?
If you find it difficult to get answers, you can also reach out to the hospital’s Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) who can chase this up on your behalf.
I hope this reassures you that the samples themselves will still be usable, and that asking for clarity now is the right step to take. Please remember you don’t have to face this alone.
I hope this information is helpful. If you have any further questions or need help finding the right services, please don’t hesitate to get back in touch by email, webchat or phone.
The Macmillan Support Line offers practical, clinical, financial and emotional support. You can call us free from landlines and from most mobile phone networks* on 0808 808 00 00, 7 days a week, 8am – 8pm. You can also visit our Online Community, where you can talk to others who have been affected by cancer.
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Warmest wishes,
Macmillan Cancer Information Nurse Specialist
