Long term side effects of rectal prostate biopsy

thanx for this information. primary sources are the best. wish i'd known the dangers before i had my MRI with and w/o contrast, but at least my instincts and research about trans-rectal biopsy are supported by your experience and research.

i'm about 80% persuaded to have prostatectomy based on the MRI report and if i do, i believe HIFU is the way to go. it's the least invasive and cleanest, meaning no radiation. unfortunately, there's only ONE doctor in the entire N. Calif. area who can use HIFU technology. not sure why, yet, but even he responded to my email (within 24 hrs!) requiring a biopsy and gleason score.

i've started another thread here, asking if biopsy is needed, when the PCa is obviously advanced (in my case, 2 large lesions, suspiciously large lymph nodes outside the prostate) and the MRI report concludes malignant neoplasm.

i'm 71 and have no sex-life anyway. my concern is staying alive, without a catheter bag, which for me is not an option. QOL issue that i'm loathe to even consider.

Thank you for your reply and an interesting and informative post.  

Some background on my husband had been under the hospital for approx 15 years with high psa and enlarged prostate.  During this time he has had 3 biospies and 3 or 4 MRI scans plus regular psa testing. He has a history of high and up and down psa levels.  The first 2 regular type biopsies were negative for cancer but showed some inflammation.  I would add at this point that after the 2nd biopsy he had a bad reaction to cipro given and was advised not to take it again. To bring you up to date he had the new type MRI scan earlier last year with the result Pirads 4 and we were told that it was most likely cancer.  He eventually had a saturation biopsy with I think 24 cores and once again nothing was found.  He was then given the choice of regular psa testing or to have a transperineal biopsy under GA.  I should add that the previous one was supposed to be done under general but the anaethetist  was not happy about putting him out as he has a very narrow windpipe and my husband was not keen on a local.  He has chosen not to have any more biopsies and at nearly 72 years of age with other health problems (diabetes and asthma/copd plus arthritis) I can understand why he feels like this.  In deed the last 18 months had been full of hospital visits and procedures for both of us.  My husband who never really asks questions when seeing a doctor was told after the last procedure that he might have loose bowels which might take a while to clear.  I did not specifically ask about digestive problems after biopsy just to see if anyone might mention it.  Now it is true that he did have some problems with looser stools which might be due to medications he is on plus Diabetes as he is not as strict as he should be on diet.  He does say so that it has got worse since the biopsy which was August last year no other problems after the procedure. I have urged him to see our GP and he has reluctantly made an appointment. 

Libralady,

Thanks for the update and additional information.

I have found it is quite useful to research all suggested treatments and then discuss them with my Internist/GP, so I think you are on the right track with that. Have also found diet to be extremely important, rather than just a peripheral issue.

Best of luck to your husband and you,

Fred

i'm guessing Type 2 Diab. yes? i was diagnosed with that about 3 years ago, zapped it right into permanent remission by eliminating ALL processed foods that contain any kind of carbs. i WILL eat processed meats, however, since it's only carcinogenic preservatives to worry about, which i totally doubt is the cause of my various cancers but who knows? we're talking diabetes here, for the moment. no sugar, no bread, no white potatoes or white rice, no pasta. do i cheat maybe 3-4 times/month? oh you bet. but no more than that! last four A1C tests were 5.6 - why they all came out the exact same  # is a mystery but the last one was done here in Reno, while the other 3 were done in PA. 

staying on the LCHF diet, Low Carb High Fat, caused me to drop 60 lbs. fasting, mindful deep breathing, hydrating, exercising and getting good sleep are just about the best things you can do for your body.

Thank you for your reply.  If you read my reply to Fred you will see my husband's history re. prostate.  I do think that doctors generally should tell patients about risks short and long term when undertaking a procedure.  I have found that when it comes to medication they often don't mention side effects.  I suppose that they hope you won't get them but these days it is so easy to google medications side effects and interactions and make a choice based on their circumstance.  I was given a steroid nasal spray for rhinitis which worked a treat but I did query whether I should use it as I was worried about it affecting my glaucoma as I have been told by the eye hospital that I am a steroid responder.  I was assured it would be ok but when I had my routine eye check my eye pressures had gone up quite a bit and I decided with the knowledge of my gp to discontinue the spray.  When I returned 6 weeks later the pressures and gone down to base level.  Obviously I can't prove it but I am sure it was the spray.    Sorry if I have digressed.  As I mentioned in my reply to Fred I did not mention digestive problems as I was waiting to see if anyone might have experience of this.   Thanks 

after coming back from Mexico and going thru the obligatory 3-month period of unending diarrhea, i went into the 4th month, which sent me to a doctor. no amoebic dysentery, nor pathogen, just IBS. then he told me there was no cure. contrary to popular belief, that megdose vit. C causes loose bowels, it eradicated that condition within 3 days. i now take 2,000mg/day, much more when i feel a cold coming on. one orange contains about 1,500 mg but can irritate stomach and bowels but in general is healthier than vit. supplements. 

will keep good thoughts for successful outcome of your surgery. what method did you decide on? 

I am having Da Vinci Robotic surgery and the surgeon said he had removed 1840 Prostates with only one problem one which was due to additional difficulties, so his record is good. Normal time in hospital is 1.5 to 2 days. In my case he says at worst could be 3 days as I am being circumsized as well, which i am more fearful of.

David

brave soul! but probably a good idea; why go through recovery pains a 2nd time? i'd get well-stocked up on percoset for the post-op period. speedy recovery, friend!

Oh dear - why the circumcision? Was there really no less damaging alternative?

So sorry to hear this.  I hope your surgery goes well and I wish all the best for the future.

Thanks Rich, I do think it is the only option so got to live in hope.

 

Pepasan,  The Prostatitis I have gives me numerous urine infections, and in the last 2 years they have been getting below my foreskin and then welding it to my penis, and it takes loads of creams and washes to free it, so they tell me that by being circumsized there is nowhere for infection to go in that area. I did ask about leaving it to see if removing the prostate cured the problem, but then was told I would need another op if not, and it would not be too painful if done with the prostate removal. It does make my eyes water even thinking of it, and I may raise a question on here to see of others who have had it done and their outcomes.

David

Thanks Libralady, I will update on here hopefully all the plusses .

David

Hi  Supertractorman

my husband had a circumcision in his mid 50's due to recurring infection under foreskin and he never complained of any severe pain and recovered fully within a few weeks.  He is also having regular PSA levels taken as they fluctuate and he has a enlarged prostate.  We discussed and decided to decline a biopsy as his MRI was clear and showed no evidence of cancer. He is having regular PSA testing and will have the biopsy if these raise further or rapidly.

Surely you could apply a daily anti-septic cream to prevent adhesions. I've had a couple of times when the foreskin has partially re-attached, but it's only happened if I let my glans get too dry. I wouldn't let my foreskin be removed as easily as you seem to be doing!

Have been given loads of creams and washes but mine gets fixed all the way round. Recently tried a steroid cream which freed it very well.  It is so painful when it happens and just don't want to go through the rest of my life with this problem. OK I have been convinced to have everything done together for right or wrong, but my health has been misery for 6 years.

Hi Anne,  Thanks for that info and it does sound the right thing to do to get rid of infection. Afraid I had Sepsis with one of my biopsies so that is why I will have no more biopsies and the prostate has to go.

David

Hi David

?I can't remember what the name of the problem my husband had but it was a discharge/infection causing binding to the foreskin and the reason he had the circumcision was because he was told his condition could lead to penile cancer and to resolve the problem permanently circumcision was the best option.  He wasn't keen but considered it the best option.

Fully agree that you do whatever is best for you and wish you all the best for a good recovery.

 

That makes your decision to also have circumcision much more understandable!

I  looked up the name of the infection my husband had and it is called BXO a form of balantitis.

i'd opt for regular 4K score testing - google it. pretty sure it includes PSA level monitoring within the test itself.

Thanks Rich, I will google it and see where to get it done and let my husband know.  He's just off at the doctors now having his PSA done.