prostate cancer
Posted , 5 users are following.
Can you get an MRI while you are doing ADT treatments ?
What blood test are conducted to see how the cancer in your body is doing other than A PSA reading
0 likes, 4 replies
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Notes on prostate cancer
eric1962 henry53420
Posted
Yes, you can get an MRI during ADT treatments although the prostate is usually smaller due to shrinkage.
PSA is the most widely used blood test to look at progression/regression of prostate cancer.
More recently, a genomic analysis of your positive biopsy specimens can give you a clearer picture of the aggressiveness of your particular cancer---may be especially helpful in men with Gleason 6 or 7 disease.
tom86211 henry53420
Posted
Henry,
You can certainly get the MRI anytime.
Normally the first sign of possible prostate cancer is a rising PSA, and possibly confirmation from a digital rectal exam (DRE). The second step is to have a urologist do a biopsy, but a 3T MRI is a lot less invasive and painless, so if I were to do this all over again I would try to get that first. If the MRI shows lesions, a biopsy can tell (estimate) how much of the prostate tissue is involved. The biopsy tissue is sent to a lab for analysis and assigned a Gleason score based on the pattern of the tissue. A Gleason 6 "might" be called prostate cancer, but many believe it should be called something else. A Gleason 7 or higher definitely is PCa.
There are genetic tests that can tell if the prostate cancer is aggressive or relatively benign. This test is the Oncotype DX genomic test. It was not covered by my insurance when I had my prostate cancer treated, but I would definitely have this test done if I were diagnosed with PCa today before deciding on treatment. So, you need all the information you can get before deciding what you have and what to do.
I had my prostate cancer radiated, but if I had to do this all over, I would have the prostate robotically removed - reason, I have gone through 5 years of BPH torment. If my prostate had been removed, no BPH issues - no prostate. However, some men have permanent incontinence after RRP (removal) - not a high percentage, but it is something to consider.
Best of luck,
tom
barney34567 henry53420
Posted
I do not see the point. Do you expect to stop or uptick ADT based on a MRI result?
You should wait for a few weeks after the ADT treatment is over to do any scan.
joshuapryce1987 henry53420
Posted
I think DNA samples perhaps. I do not think that cancer can be determined with blood samples or pee samples. I suppose looking out for symptoms of the particular supposed cancer. By checking for lumps, and signs through google and doctors advice.