I scheduled a Prostate Biopsy in 2 weeks
Posted , 15 users are following.
So I dropped the Uro who wanted to do TURP right out of the box without any further testing or even getting the PSA result back. The result is back and it's a 4.0. She said I should be around or under a 1 at my age, 56.
My new Uro wants to do a needle biopsy to rule out Prostate Cancer. Anyone think that's a bad idea? I've been told it's pretty painful and has a 1 percent chance of infection.
They said my bladder is holding more than 200 ML. She said she would NOT do an MRI "first pass." She said it would not find cancer if it's present. Is there any reason not to do the biopsy? Is it the only or best way to diagnose cancer?
Every URO or other doctor who has stuck his or her fingers up my butt has said my prostate is smooth but large.
Thoughts? Thanks.
0 likes, 40 replies
kenneth1955 Motto
Posted
If I were you I would wait and have another PSA done in 3 months. 4.0 and under is normal. Why he's she telling you that it should be under a 1 Never here that before. And why does she think you have cancer when you are at normal range Are you still being able to go to the bathroom. Have they told you how big your prostate was. I would not rush into any biopsy but that is up to you. Ken
bob31550 kenneth1955
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I totally agree with Kenneth's advise.
Motto kenneth1955
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Thanks. What about the PCA3 test? I just read about that test wouldn't that be a non-invasive way to determine if my elevated PSA if it is even elevated is due to cancer or just normal BPH?
owen35669 Motto
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Very best of luck to you.
owen35669
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P.S. Age 60-69 "allows" a PSA as high as 4.5...according to the scale I have before me. You are essentially 60 years of age, so....
But a biopsy is perhaps good insurance. (I have had a liver biopsy and it's no big deal. No prostate biopsy...yet.)
lee56659 Motto
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I had a prostate biopsy 3 weeks ago. The only pain, and it was minor, was from the antibiotic shot in the butt. There were two tiny stings when he numbed the prostate with an injection. It was uncomfortable as he moved the probe around to position it for the next snip but it's all over in about 10 minutes. Fwiw, when I was 56 my PSA was 2. It was 3 until this year when it jumped to 11, hence the biopsy. Fortunately, the jump was due to prostatitis, not cancer. My only recommendation is to listen to your urologist, not a bunch of random strangers on the internet!
Motto lee56659
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Thank you Lee. Unfortunately these strangers on the internet are far more informative and helpful than these effing urologists. Question how does one get a prostatitis diagnosis? what test is required for that?
I've never been given antibiotics for prostatitis and never given a diagnosis that I have prostatitis. regular old prostatitis would account for my symptoms but nobody screaming for that.
johnny90372 Motto
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DRE exam showing that the prostate is smooth but large is usually what doctors rely on as well as a PSA test. Though I understand that PSA levels can fluctuate from week to week sometimes. Perhaps you could get another PSA test or two during a period of time in order to see if there is fluctuation in the level.
A friend of mine who also has high PSA went for the needle biopsy. He said it was fairly uncomfortable. And also they're getting samples randomly within the prostate. That's because they don't know where there would be cancer is specifically located within the prostate. This friend of mine does a lot of bicycle sports which raised his PSA level he suspects.
Just cause the doctor says to get a TURP without exhausting all other tests and options doesn't sound good.
Motto johnny90372
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owen35669 Motto
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Motto owen35669
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emil54651 Motto
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I followed my gut feeling and trusted my body. You have to decide what you believe is right for you! As an advice, if you really trust your URO, you will take a good decision!
Camster emil54651
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dcooperxyz Motto
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“ suspicious “ in my prostate . I had the biopsy and it targeted the suspicious area . My PSA was 6 and I was 49 at the time . Turned out to be prostatitis. Biopsy was unpleasant but over quite quickly but with an infected prostate it was bound to be uncomfortable. A bit like putting a needle into an infected arm but I know other people who thought it was a walk in the park . I think it depends on your anxiety levels whether to go the extra mile for a biopsy . I don’t believe your PSA is that high at your ages.
Others may no more than me but shouldn’t u have an MRI first to target the right area of the prostate.
If your anxiety levels are low I’d agree with the others and wait to see if your level increases or not . Many things can raise the PSA .
Motto dcooperxyz
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thank you I appreciate your comment. My anxiety level is low. I think they're using cancer to scare me into doing a procedure that I don't think is warranted. I mean I'll get a needle stuck in my but if I have to it's not that big a deal but I want a better reason than my PSA is 4.
kenneth1955 Motto
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Motto. Do not let them bully you into having any test. Tell them no for now Do another PSA in 3 month's and see what is is and go from there. You do have that right Ken