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Psa

Posted , 13 users are following.

jim02273
jim02273

Had a psa test with my physical and it was 8.3. Sent me to urologist About three weeks later and they did another psa test. It came back 9.2. They’re wanting to do a biopsy but I’m not sure if I should. Any advice?

0 likes, 18 replies

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  • Truthmatters
    Truthmatters jim02273

    Posted

    Yes. Insist on an MRI scan so any "lesions" i.e. suspicious areas, are the target of any biopsy.

    • jim02273
      jim02273 Truthmatters

      Posted

      I didn't know anything about any of this when I went to my appointment, so I didn't know to ask for the MRI scan.  I am scheduled for a regular ultrasound guided biopsy.  I think it's too late to change it, I'm scheduled to undergo the procedure in six days.  Thanks for your input. 

       

    • nealpros
      nealpros jim02273

      Posted

      Don't do it without the MRI. Otherwise, they're shooting in the dark. They may miss an aggressive cancer, find a less aggressive one and recommend watchful waiting, which will kill you. Also, don't let them do a rectal biopsy. Punching a needle many times through your non sterile rectum is the best way there is to get you a very bad prostatitis which will be very difficult or impossible to cure. A few antibiotics taken before the procedure will not prevent the infection.

      It's your money and your life. You can cancel the scheduled procedure and get it done right. It's important, and no skin off your doctor's nose. If necessary, get a different doctor who will listen to you.

      Neal Pros

  • nick67069
    nick67069 jim02273

    Posted

    was it the same lab that did the test? If not, results cannot be compared. Also, activity before the test can influence the result, like biking or sex, even constipation.  It is much easier to repeat the PSA test. As far as biopsy, as suggested, 3T MRI can tell more if you have any traces of cancer and then if they discover anything,  targeted  biopsy would be appropriate.  Doing "blind" biopsy is shot in a dark and carries the risk of infection.

    • jim02273
      jim02273 nick67069

      Posted

      Thanks. The MRI definitely makes sense.  I never really thought about the fact that they are just hoping to hit the right mark.  I think it's too late to change to the from the ultrasound guided to the MRI now though. My biopsy is in six days.  Thanks for the info.

  • Pepasan
    Pepasan jim02273

    Posted

    Have the biopsy. I've had 2 without any problem.

    • jim02273
      jim02273 Pepasan

      Posted

      Thanks. That's good to know.  I'm pretty nervous.

  • MK51151
    MK51151 jim02273

    Posted

    Biopsy is warranted in your case. I would have it for my own peace of mind.

    MK

    • jim02273
      jim02273 MK51151

      Posted

      Thanks. I'm scheduled for the biopsy in six days

  • Ronk25
    Ronk25 jim02273

    Posted

    Insist on an MRI followed by a biopsy targeted to any suspicious areas - but get them both done. Doing a blind biopsy (vs targeted) is like throwing darts at a dartboard in a pitch black room.  
    • jim02273
      jim02273 Ronk25

      Posted

      Thanks.  That is a good analogy, and you are completely right.  I only wish I had known this info before they scheduled me for the ultrasound guided biopsy. I'm having that in six days, so I'm afraid it's too late to change it. 

    • nealpros
      nealpros jim02273

      Posted

      Cancel the dam biopsy. It's as easy as a phone call.

    • nealpros
      nealpros

      Posted

      Yes, I can spell. I just wanted to get past the censorship.
  • lester90053
    lester90053 jim02273

    Posted

    If there is something unusual with your urination and you are younger than 80 it pays to get more tests.
  • brian34488
    brian34488 jim02273

    Posted

    PSA  in some countries is rejected other countries rely on it so much that they automatically have a knee jerk reaction to to biopsy if around 5 or more, the traditional ultra sound guided 12 needle biopsy is these days considered a  blind approach however it can find cancer that an mri might miss and vice versa, some would have both done depending on the need, then there is the view not considered fact by the general medical world that if you have cancer in the prostate the 12 needle biopsy which will cause bleeding may release cancer cells into your body where it may spread and kill where as if it was kept inside the prostate you may eventually die of something else depending on how aggressive the cancer may be.

    the medical world will likely say the cancer cells will die off before they can spread but as we know doctors believe what they are told and they conclude a biopsy may save life.

    My option would be have another psa test and if still high have an mp MRI which is a 3 tessla mri which will be more successful at finding cancer than other mri  though not 100% guaranteed but very good. PSA can be high if the prostate has grown and an mp mri will accurately show whats happening, if any suspicious areas are found the diagnosis may say a suspicious area has been found with a high risk of cancer but the ones that make the diagnosis are in fact not as highly trained as you may think and they have to cry wolf rather than not, if so you may choose to have a 3 needle biopsy in the suspicious area or you may choose to have more needles, some urologists using ultra sound are experienced enough to hit the suspicious area others may miss it.

     

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