Prostate biopsies

Hi Graham,

Not sure if this will help, but my husband has advanced prostate cancer with bone mets and his initial psa was nearly 1200.  It is now 3.4 and they are not concerned. This had been achieved through hormone treatment. Not sure how old you are but we were told that most men over 60/70 years more than often are found to have pc. 

Don't panic and even if you have pc, it may be localised and there are several options for treatment.  Easier said than done, I know,  but it may even be down to an enlarged prostate rather than cancer. Even if it was, if it was caught early, it can be cured. 

This is a great forum for those with pc and those who are caring for those who have it. Look through the threads and I am sure you will find comfort that you are not alone and probably will be okay as taken action early.

I know that you will have others replying to you to offer comfort.

Early days Graham, I am sure you will be fine.

Best regards

Gina

Hi Graham, sorry to hear.

Try not to worry too much, not easy I know. PSA is not that high so hopefully it is a slow growing cancer, that's if it is cancer.

Would be handy if u knew more about the MRI report, hopefully it shows the cancer is contained within the gland, should be with the PSA at 4.

Therefore potentially curable.

It is a big shock when first diagnosed, although cancer still not been confirmed.

Come back to us when u know more.

Bes wishes

Steve

Thank you Gina for your kind words I'm 57 but still think I'm 32 its just not knowing anything is the hardest 

Thanks  i will let group know the doctor did say what ever it is its it was contained and not spread which is good to know still make you worry a bit thanks for your kind words 

Graham,

I remember my biopsies last year, legs in the stirrups.  Not the best view!

I know that it's easier said than done, but try not to worry too much.  Take every day as they come.  Last year I was weighed down with Pamphlets, Books from the Hospital, you name it...

They were helpful, but sent my mind into overdrive with all of the "what if this happens, what if that happens" scenarios.

It was the 'fear of the unknown' that got me all the time, still does a bit.

The best piece of advice I had was not to think past your next appointment and to concentrate on today.

Hang in there, the waiting is difficult.  Did they grade your MRI, I think it's a score of 1-5. As has already been said the psa reading is relatively low. If you can take someone with you to the biopsy result discussion that might help. The takeaway from the biopsy result if there is cancer is the Gleason score and if it is localised within the prostate. Ask for a copy of the results as well as it is too much to take in during the consultation.

Hi Graham I too had recently had my biopsy yesterday and I only had 16 and your right it is not pleasant.i walked into urology thinking I was just getting my mri results.i am 53 and I feel your anguish.good luck to you my friend. I’m sure it will be treatable.but I know how your feeling stay strong.sorry if I’m being forward just looked this up and saw your story.

Hi Graham

I can't imagine having 26 biopsies taken - my language was not repeatable after 5. To make matters worse the consultant only wanted 4!!!

Anyway, aside from the news and biopsies, the waiting is one of the worst things about PC.

Hang in there and try and push it to the back of your mind. Easier said than done I appreciate though.

Regards

Stuart

Hi Graham 

I'm 67 and was in your position 5 months ago. After I got a PSA score of 11, I had gone through various CT and MRI scans and a biopsy and was convinced that bad news was coming. 

When I saw the consultant I was told that I had early stage prostate cancer, but that it hadn't spread and that there were several options to bring about a positive conclusion. 

At that point he handed me over to a Macmillan nurse called Linda who with kindness and understanding took me through the different procedures and helped me to consider which might be suitable for me. There was the offer of 24/7 support plus loads of information, which also helped, including about local forums for people in my position. Macmillan nurses attended all of my subsequent meetings with the consultant. 

I made my decision and I had my procedure (I chose Brachytherapy) about a month ago. There are side effects, but nothing too terrible as I wait for my September meeting to review my situation. I don't know what that will tell me, but I have every confidence that the outcome will be positive. 

Nothing can make you feel less apprehensive. I think that's probably just a normal reaction. But try to think positive as well because, as I know, there could be a light at the end of the tunnel.

Good luck 

Chris 

Stuart,

I had 29 biopsies, the worst part for me was the initial anaesthetic injections.  I still cringe now just thinking about them.