Accuracy of biopsy diagnosis

  • 7 replies
  • 158 subscribers
  • 583 views

With my long history of chronic prostatitis, I keep wondering if my Gleason 6 at biopsy is accurate? Might the viewed cells be inflamed prostate tissue or atrophy.

it strikes me that viewing cell patterns under a microscope slide is somewhat subjective.

The urologist who did my biopsy seemed to imply at the time that it probably wasn’t cancer.

I have to trust the system and the diagnosis but it does make me wonder.

I’m currently midway through a course of antibiotics for dysuria. 

if these significantly reduce my next PSA down from the current 8.0, where will that leave me?

  • Hello  

    Thank you for posting an interesting question - don't forget that we are not medically trained so it's just a personal opinion.

    The usual path for Prostate Cancer diagnosis is a biopsy and an MRI scan. I am sure the laboratory used will have trained staff and they can tell the difference between cancer cells and dead cells or cells with any other issue. It's possible that your Urologist is one who considers Gleason 6 not worth treating!! You have a raised PSA, that's another indicator, Having a UTI and being on antibiotics shouldn't make any difference to a diagnosis.

    My analogy is if you cut your finger you wash the cut, cover it in a plaster and a week later it's healed. Someone tells you have cancer - you can't see it - you need to trust what your team are saying.

    I hope the above helps.

    Best wishes - Brian.

    Community Champion badge

    Macmillan Support Line - 0808 808 00 00, 7 days a week between 8am-8pm

    Strength, Courage, Faith, Hope, Defiance, VICTORY.

    I am a Macmillan volunteer.

  • Hi Andy

    You say a history of. Prostatitis, so do u also have history of PSAs or is this the only one so far.

    Also do you know what the MRI says in terms of tumor size in mm because that's useful info, I presume this is the only Mri you have had.

    Regards 

    Steve 

  • PSA Levels

    25/11/2024 8.0

    Post diagnosis

    13/06/2024 6.6

    11/05/2023 5.3

    30/03/2023 6.3 (UTI at time of test)

    15/08/2022 5.3

    14/07/2021 4.8

    16/06/2020 4.0

    22/04/2019 4.6

    13/04/2018 4.8

    07/02/2017 4.7

    08/11/2016 5.3

    Only one MRI:
    Results:
    MRI results phoned to me by  RAPID Urology nurse Amanda Morss. Left side of prostate has suspicious areas and is PI-RAD 5. Very highly likely to be cancerous. There are also other PI-RAD 2 areas on the right side. Contained within the prostate.

    Biopsy results:
    Of 20 cores:

    Left anterior - Three cores of prostatic tissue are received, one of which contains animated type adenocarcinoma Gleason 3+3, measuring 7mm in maximum size (discontinuous growth).

    Left posterior - Nine cores of prostatic tissue are received all of which contains animated type adenocarcinoma Gleason 3+3, measuring 12mm in maximum size (discontinuous growth).

    So largest size tumour I believe is 12mm.

     

  • Hi Andy

    Ok, thanks for the info, when was the MRI done?

    PSA has hardly moved over the years except recently but of course could be in part down to the infection.

    Slightly puzzling that tumour size 12mm with low PSA .

    Have they talked about starting treatment yet or are u still on AS?

    Steve 

  • Hi Steve,

    MRI was 22.08/2024.
    I’m on AS. Next PSA is early Feb 2025.
    The 12mm figure I’m assuming is the length of one biopsy core that is cancerous? Does that correlate to tumour size?
    I’m really interested to see what the next PSA value is!

    Andy

  • Hi Andy

    OK , so assume first Mri which is a bit odd as PSA  has been rising,  albeit slowly for some years now.

    Perhaps check on MRi report when possible to see if 12mm relates to tumour size or something else.

    AS you say interesting to see what next PSA is. If tumour is 12mm in size could be worth checking to see if getting close to gland edge which could mean time to start a treatment but of course u would have thought that they would advise u accordingly anyway

    good luck

    Steve

  • Ask for a second opinion. If they refuse - push harder - I did and got a second opinion.

    Biopsy tissue analysis is subjective