Hello all - shocked and confused over husband's PSA and MRI

Hello Busybee7 

A warm welcome to the group although I am so sorry to find you joining us under these circumstances.

Without a biopsy he won't know the stage - I think the figure from the MRI may well be something called PIRADS 5 - this means on the MRI scan the have a good view of the prostate and it does look like there is cancer there although a PSA of 4.1 is quite low.

Prostate cancer is a very treatable cancer - I have been on my personal journey for almost 5 years with an initial PSA of 182.

The diagnosis will give you something called a TNM score and a Gleason Score and then your team will be able to come up with a treatment plan. 

Here's a couple of information links for you:

The prostate biopsy. and

Prostate Cancer - Staging and grading.

Try not to panic and once you have had a look at the links I have provided, please do come back with any questions you have.

Best wishes - Brian.

Thank you so much have just read these articles and its put my mind at ease.

Hello Busy Bee

i won’t repeat the excellent advice that Brian ( Millibob) has given but I will add that the website www.prostatecanceruk.org has excellent and easily understandable information leaflets.

it is now 4 years since my husband was diagnosed and I remember the shock and anxiety so very well! I learned some very important lessons!

1. Try not to panic. Even if the cancer is not curable it is very treatable and newer and more advanced treatments are being developed and introduced.

2. Get as much information as you can so you can both be aware of treatment options, challenge medical decisions and understand what your journey will involve

3. Monitor your progress through the NHS system closely. We had terrible service from urology , for example. I kept a diary of every person we spoke to at the hospital, what was said, who said it and contact details. This came in very useful when we had to make a formal complaint! Polite assertiveness becomes the rule of this illness!

4. if you experience delays in getting through the various diagnostic tests , let the hospital department know that you are able to drop everything and get to the hospital if they have any appointment cancellations.

5. Remember the NHS referral to treatment times for any cancer ( in England)  . These have changed slightly since we were going through it but you can find the info on google. It’s a useful stick to get things hurried along if things are delayed.

I hope this helps and wish you and your husband all the very best. It does get easier once you’ve got through the diagnostics and have a treatment plan and life can still be enjoyed with this diagnosis

Thank you so much for taking the time to respond. Great advice have made a note. Thank you

Hi Busybee7 , I hope your previous answers have helped you.  Once you get a diagnosis you will feel much better.  It’s all unreal at the start and we have all been there.  If PCa is diagnosed then it roughly divides into either curable or treatable.  Obviously curable is better but even for us treatables I have been over 9 years since diagnosis.  Please ask any questions at any stage.

Thank you for replying.  Im reading a lot more. Its just been such a roller coaster x

Hi Busybee7 

You have had some excellent advice already.  I just wanted to add my best wishes to you and hubby.  This initial phase is absolutely devastating, please look after yourselves.  Once the continued tests have been arranged and the MDT held you will be given "the scores on the doors" - and a treatment pathway. Once you have that things will begin to feel a bit easier as it is a matter of just getting on with it!

I am a year into this and I well remember the panic and disbelief and the fear for the future - but you know a year on I have accepted my situation, I am accepting treatments offered to me as they will lengthen the periods until I need further treatment - and generally everything is going OK.  Click on our names or the roundel to see our individual stories.

You have come to the right place - I didn't find this forum until after I had finished chemo - so wish I had found it earlier!

Thank you so much for replying.  

Hi Busy bee7 

Although it is possible to have a low/near normal PSA with a cancer that has possibly spread it is unusual so could be worth getting a copy of the MRI report.

I see that biopsy this Friday so u could wait and see what you are told at the next meeting after that and then ask about MRI detail.

Do come back when  know more

Best wishes 

Steve 

Will do thank you