1. Community
  2. Cancer
  3. Prostate Cancer

About to be diagnosed

Posted , 7 users are following.

Coconut1
Coconut1

Hi all, new here.

My 65 yo brother is about to be officially diagnosed with pc. He had been getting up in the night to pee for quite a while and his psa was tested at 4.5. However his next test went up to 6 and a DRE today was hard on both sides. So it seems we know what it is already. Would this be why he has been booked for an MRI and not a biopsy, because they are expected it to have spread? So worried, feel sick for him.

Thanks for reading.

0 likes, 30 replies

30 Replies

Next
  • david41094
    david41094 Coconut1

    Posted

    NO, that is NOT the reason to have an MRI. An MRI only looks at a specific area (the prostate region) and does not check to see whether 'it has spread'. It is to determine the likelihood of PCa being present and to be able to offer a targetted biopsy, if necessary. With such a low PSA any spread is exceedingly unlikely.

    ​IF he has a positive biopsy then he will, as a matter of routine, be offered a CT scan. This will determine if there is any spread but, as I said above, this is very unlikely. Your brother's PSA is only slightly raised (for his age) so even if PCa is found, Active Surveillance may be offered as treatment. Please don't jump to conclusions, it is incorrect to state that someone is 'about to be officially diagnosed with pc' - this can only be done by biopsy and his odds are good, despite the positive DRE.

    ​Hope this helps

    • Coconut1
      Coconut1 david41094

      Posted

      Thank you for your reply. You are right about jumping to conclusions, it just felt like a foregone conclusion. Wait to see what happens I guess. I just really feel for him and obviously don't want to put my worries on to him, he needs me to be positive. So thank you. Strangely, he seems to have been told his MRI is full body though. Apologies to be sounding so ignorant about this matter.
    • Roger2Dodger
      Roger2Dodger david41094

      Posted

      After reading what a MRI determines, I am now wondering why my Urologist ordered a MRI after my biopsy. Just doesn't make sense. I was under the impression the MRI would show if PCa had spread beyond the prostate. Could I be getting a CT scan instead???

      Looking at my order for tomorrow it says PROSTATE MRI/CAD W & WO 72197 & 76498. It does make more sense for a MRI first before a biopsy.

  • stewarta
    stewarta Coconut1

    Posted

    I am 69 and have been down this path. The MRI will indicate whether there are any suspicious areas in the prostate. If so, a PI-RADS score will indicate if a targeted biopsy is warranted. This is the best type of biopsy as there is no chance of infection. It is the biopsy that will indicate via a Gleason score whether it is only a case of wait and watch, or some treatment is needed.

    But don't jump to conclusions yet. The MRI is the right starting point. PSA results can be spurious, and a DRE tells the urologist only a little about the true situation.

    • Coconut1
      Coconut1 stewarta

      Posted

      Thank you for your reply. Although it's not about me, it's helping me be positive and upbeat for him during this horrible waiting period, and whatever the outcome.

      Very grateful.

  • mosski
    mosski Coconut1

    Posted

    I'm no doctor, but full body MRI does not make sense to me and I doubt that is what your brother will receive.

    I had an MRI with an endorectal coil and contrast dye.  Not pleasant, but mostly embarassing as opposed to painful.

    A full body scan is much more likely to be a CT scan looking for spread, but I agree with David that with PSA of 4.5 it is very unlikely there would be spread -- if indeed, he has cancer at all!

    • stewarta
      stewarta mosski

      Posted

      Nobody mentioned a full body MRI. It will only uninvolved the pelvic region. A full body CT scan is used if there is a need to see if PCa has spread to the bones.
  • Roger2Dodger
    Roger2Dodger Coconut1

    Posted

    Coconut1

    I can only give you an opinion on your question, by my own experience. My psa was tested last year at 4.3 and this March the psa went to 5.83. The DRE exam was an enlarged prostate.

    I went to a Urologist and I was told the only way to find out if I had PCA is to have a biopsy. I elected to have a biopsy and my Gleason score showed cancer. The Urologist then ordered a MRI which I will be doing that tomorrow May 18. Why your Bro.was sent for a MRI first, I cannot answer,

    Maybe some one else has an explantion. All Urologist don't diagnose the same way apparently.

    So, I would not worry that the cancer has spread out side of the prostate. I would seriously doubt that is the reason.

    • Roger2Dodger
      Roger2Dodger

      Posted

      barney,

      I am having a MRI. Not a biopsy. Already had a biopsy. And it has me wondering why my Urologist did the biopsy before the MRI.

      I certainly will want some answers from him "WHY" all the comments I have read from all of you. The MRI should have been before the biopsy.

    • viet78904
      viet78904 Roger2Dodger

      Posted

      Good luck to you with the MRI Roger. Hope it will only show a particular local, not scattering. Any un-comfortable symptom on your first biopsy?

       

    • viet78904
      viet78904 Roger2Dodger

      Posted

      My understand the MRI right after the biopsy that detected a PC is that it will tell your doctor whether he needs to either go with a “Wait & watch” if it is only local OR he needs to remove the prostate if it’s everywhere inside the prostate (before it spreads to the outer). In your case, detecting a PC on the first biopsy is considered a better choice in place of a MRI. Early detecting is always better for treatment. Going thru a MRI & follow up with a biopsy may take months if thing (approval & processes) do not go quick enough.

       

    • Roger2Dodger
      Roger2Dodger viet78904

      Posted

      Viet,

      Quite possible what my Urologist did the biopsy first. He mentioned the wait and watch after I met with him after the biopsy. Also my pathology remains were sent to Proalris for analysis. A genitic test to determine aggressive. ..non aggressive of my PCa.

    • Roger2Dodger
      Roger2Dodger viet78904

      Posted

      Thanks viet,

      The biopsy itself was a not bad at all. I did feel days after, some symptoms of it. If I drink a lot of water, I have the feeling of a urinary track infection. A little burning during urination. Nothing serious tho.

    • barney34567
      barney34567 Roger2Dodger

      Posted

      I agree with you. Regardless of what he advises by way of treatment, I suggest you get a second opinion from an experienced urologist. I assume the current urologist is experienced.
Back to top
Next

Report or request deletion

Thanks for your help!

We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.