Questions to ask urologist

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Hi,

I posted the other day about my Dad but wanted to start a new thread to specifically ask if there are any questions we should ask at Dad's urology appointment tomorrow? I don't want to come away and think 'oh I should have asked that'!! Also, does anyone have any ideas about what sort of timescales we are looking at e.g. should they do an examination tomorrow and then how long will we have to it for biopsy, scans etc? What if they say they don't need to do any tests after they examine him? I feel so nervousPensive!

Below is the story and details I posted on my other thread. 

I've joined this forum for some advice for my Dad. He is 83 years old and has various health conditions including CKD, heart failure, diabetes and dementia. We've noticed urinary problems for quite a while now and last week saw the kidney consultant for the first time who said they were trying to find a reason for his rapid decline in kidney function and it could be to do with his prostate. (He had a kidney ultrasound in April and in this they noted incomplete emptying of the bladder but said the prostate did not look enlarged). The Dr did a PSA test which was 24.8. In the last 3-4 weeks he has been complaining of lower back pain and has noticeably lost weight. But because he has so many other conditions, it's hard to know what might be causing these symptoms. 

He has been given a urology appointment for next week so must have been referred on the 2 week cancer pathway even though cancer wasn't mentioned at the appointment with the kidney consultant. So this has all come as a bit of a surprise and I'm trying to find out all I can about prostate cancer and what is likely to happen at the urology appointment next week so we can be prepared. 

My Dad is quite frail and I am sure would not be offered any treatment because of his age and comorbities but we would like to know whether it is cancer and what the prognosis is so we know what to expect. I'm interested to know how they diagnose prostate cancer and how invasive the different tests are? What is the urologist likely to suggest given his age and comorbities? 

Thank you in advance for reading. 

  • Thank you Brian, you are of course right. I think it's just that we are constantly worrying about all of his health conditions and this is another thing to add to the list! We will just hope that the tamulosin helps his symptoms and that we don't have to wait too long for the bone scan and results. 

  • Hello  

    Do please keep us updated as to the results of the bone scan.  We are all here for you and the family should you need any help.

    Best wishes - Brian.

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  • Pepe

    I understand your frustration but possibly a biopsy would be too much for him to handle.

    A scan of some kind would show if any cancer is contained within the gland which is the most important point really. A biopsy won't show that.

    But it does sound like he doesn't want to go through with any treatment so HT probably the best bet.

    A few more PSA tests would help as well just in case the 24.8 was a blip.

    Steve