Getting a second opinion (MRI)

Ring your local private hospital and see what their policy is . Sometimes you need a referral from your GP and sometimes you don't. The scan dept will need to know exactly where and what to scan. We payed 250 for an initial consultation and then needed a pet scan which was from 1,600. Our local private hospital didn't have the machine but our local NHS did although it was run by a private company and paid for by the NHS. 

Not sure how accurate an MRI scan is all I know in our case the MRI and bone scan didn't pick anything up this was picked up on the pet scan. 

First off- all the scans are different. On our journey OH HAS HAD 1. mpMRI initial scan on prostate to look for any change in density and whether it’s broken out, lymph nodes can be seen. Will give you your initial stage.

is this the one you want a 2nd op on?  

2. nuclear bone scan - check for obvious bony mets.

3 PSMA -PET  - a specialist scan which identifies prostate specific  antigen in cells. Very sensitive to identify hot spots . Usually NHS & requested if a high Gleason on biopsy to check for spread 

4. Whole body mRI. Again to confirm spread 

5. CT. Had this post chemo.

to get a 2nd op on scan I had to contact complaints dept but they did it - the only thing was it was the same team same hospital so imo it was a rubber stamp. 
Most hospitals providing MRI do have machines to the correct level. 
if you’re concerned I would speak to your GP or private hosp and have appt as Shar said. They can tell you cost of consultation & scan prices, which you would have to have with urologist and they would advise if you needed another scan. 

Hope this helps lovely. 
Best Wishes 

Hello PODPOD  A warm welcome to the online Prostate Cancer Community

I have read your posts on both threads and with a Grade 1 Gleason Score of 6 (3+3)  which equates to all the cancer cells found during the biopsy look likely to grow very slowly if at all, I would accept Active Surveillance with regular PSA tests.

Easy for me to say - get on with your life and keep checking every 6 months - it's quite possible you will never join the club.

As you say in your other post 62 and "chilled" - Enjoy life before you have to worry - who knows what new treatments will be available if (when) you need them.

Best wishes - Brian.

Hi Pod pod

I had an MRI a couple of years ago which noted some progression and a 4/5 score. I had a re-review done at Prime Health and they said 3/5 for the same MRI. I then had another MRI at Prime Health on their 3T machine and the results were nothing above 3/5. It cost around £600.

Are they able to grade on an MRI?  I thought you had to have a biopsy for that. 

The grade given is PIRAD not Gleason.

Thanks for clarifying.  I hadn’t heard of that, I don’t believe my husband had that type of score following his MRI.

I’ve just looked it up and the info on PCUK website seems to suggest there would only be one number.  What does the 3/5 or 4/5 mean?

Hello Community Members

Below is a link to Prostate Cancer UK's PI-RADS / MRI scoring: 

https://prostatecanceruk.org/prostate-information-and-support/prostate-tests/mri-scan#:~:text=You%20may%20hear%20this%20called,be%20between%201%20and%205.

I think when the scores are 3/5 or 4/5 there is a difference in the agressiiveness (is that a word?) of the cancer on different sides of the gland.

I hope this helps,

Best wishes - Brian.

I suggest you watch this video PCRI Gleason 6 Video. Your main diagnosis will come from the biopsy not the MRI scan. The scan is mainly used for biopsy targetting and will give some information on tumour size and location.

If you want a second opinion you would need to get the biospy cores examined by another centre.

I don't understand why you need a second opinion as stage 1 3+3 is not a high risk cancer and may not even require treatment.

Best of Luck however you decide to take this forward.

Rob