Waiting for Biopsy results

Hi Wifey4

Welcome to the club!

PC is a constant waiting game and all you want to do is move things on - very frustrating and stressful. Hang in there - PC is slow growing.

Have you any stats - PSA maybe? The staging will be provided by the biopsy so won't be available yet.

Has your hubby been started on any HT ? If he has then the PC will be starved and can't grow.

There are others here who are more able to advise about the workings of the NHS and how to get things done - my advice would be to make friends with the hospital and chase them gently and with respect.

Keep us in the loop - we have been there and understand!

Regards

Stuart

Hello there

I’m sorry to hear that you’re still waiting for your results, it’s an agonizing wait.  My husband’s consultant explained to us that two pathologists would test his samples, if inconclusive the sample would go to a third independent pathologist for a definitive result.  Maybe this is why it’s taking time?

is there anyone you can call?

my husband is having his operation on the 6th September, this platform has been invaluable for me and I know what to expect when he comes home.  I’ve only told him snippets, need to know basis only.

best of luck and never apologize for speaking out, everyone here is so helpful.

nightbird x

Hello Wifey4. That is a very long wait for biopsy results. Generally the wait should be 2 to 3 weeks. The wait is a very anxious time for your husband and yourself. Minds run amok. When you receive them, depending on the results, there may be a need for a bone scan. Mine was done quite quickly. There is some very good advice and pointers and importantly support from folk on the forum. Hoping you get the results soon. All the very best, Graham. 

Hi Scampidoodle,

Thanks for the welcome, psa was only 6.2 so very low which surprised us to get a pirads5 and the consultant said from the mri it looked suspicious but will have to wait and see and no treatment has been started as yet.

Will keep you posted and thanks  

Hi Night Bird, thanks for the info on the pathologist  I didn’t even stop to think that even 2 would look at it so that’s what’s brilliant about talking to people like yourself on here as we can learn so much information.

The only person we have spoken to is the consultants secretary a couple of times to chase results.

 Best of luck to your husband and yourself on the 6th and I hope all goes well for you.

Thanks x

Hi BoroG,

 I’m hoping once we get the results and it’s confirmed he has it any appointments like the bone scan you had will be quicker but like you say this waiting time for it to be confirmed is a anxious time.

 Thanks for your reply and I hope all goes well for you.

Hi Wifey4

Sorry to hear the results are taking such a long time. What part of the country are you in?

My op is in two weeks time. My referral from GP was in April. The NHS official target for cancer referrals is treatment within 62 days of referral (Although they allow another 30 days if extra tests, like a bone scan, is needed). Many people are waiting a lot longer than this. 

My own experience is that things speed up a lot after your biopsy results. Six weeks seems a long time. My advice would be to chase, chase, chase. I had some really good advice about diagnosis and navigating the NHS from the Macmillan helpline. It might be worth contacting the Prostate Specialist Nurse to see if they can chase it up for you. Some hospitals have a Prostate Navigator and there is also PALS - the hospitals customer service team. I would politely mention to them that you are beyond the 62 day target (if you are) and are feeling very anxious.

It's hard but try not to guess what the PSA score and MRI mean. It's not always very helpful without the biopsy. Even if it is positive, could be a very low grade cancer.

Good luck. Lots of great people on here to help you both.

Cliff

Hi LTC61

Thanks for your reply, we live in Norfolk.

We have not reached the 62 days yet but since week 4 I have rang the hospital and asked politely for any news on the results and if we don’t hear within 62 days I now can add that into the conversation thanks to you.

All the best when you have your op, take care.