Prostate Biopsy ... should I,or not ?

[mancity dan]

Wonder if he`ll be fit enough to come to our next meeting and hear what Paul Lake has to say ? Wish your dad well from me mate.

Will do mate

 

[oakiecokie]

This is a complex issue and unfortunately there is no definitive answer to each variable that presents itself.
I would not consider a PSA of 6 to be lowish.
That is an elevated reading when age is factored in.
For chaps in their fifties a more expected reading would be way below the 2.5 mark.
As explained in my previous posts elevated PSA testing on it's own is only an indicter for the presence of cancer .
Other factors will be calculated in to help you make the decision towards biopsy like an MRI scan a DRE (digital rectal exam) and free PSA test.
The only way you can diagnose PC is by the biopsy route.

Remember too that there are many things that can effect PSA readings which is why they are not used on there own to draw full diagnostics.
Intercourse before your blood test will elevate it as will an infection of your prostate (prostatitus) a urine infection and also an enlarged prostate.
Certain medicines can lower the readings that are used to reduce the prostate size in benign prostate enlargement,not too sure of their name but not the Tamsulosin group which seek only to relax the muscles of the prostate to accomplish better urination.
It should be noted that benign prostate enlargement is not prostate cancer and effects many men with urination symptoms as they age.
Unfortunately though this is one of the indicators of PC.
And finally and this is where it can get very confusing because you can have PC with a low or "normal PSA" reading .

I would think it prudent to have a biopsy if there were other indicators present in addition to elevated PSA levels.

Another complication is that a biopsy does not find PC every time it is performed.
A negative result does not mean you do not have it.It just infers the area they took samples from are free.
See how difficult this is becoming pal ?

So a man who has had many negative 16 core biopsy's whilst awake he may then opt with the advice from his consultant to undertake a saturation biopsy.
Sat biopsy takes a large amount of core samples usually 32 and above from guided or templeted areas.
This is performed whilst you are knocked out cold and can be accomplished via the perineum or the anal route
You are very sore after these and immediatly after urinating the pain can be rather exquisite.
So that is the general idea or gist behind the PSA tests which men over 50 would be advised to partake of.
If PC is found then it can be then graded by Gleason score and dependant on score there are many different options available for treatment

Disclaimer;
Always seek your own advice..Whilst I am a taxi driver and have an incredulous knowledge concerning most things on Earth I am not an expert in any given field.. Do your own research !

A big well done pal on the reduced PSA levels;

God speed for Wembley and we are indeed the south stand !

Hi Taxi,
Many thanks for your response and you are quite correct ref knowing what is the best way to move forward,but I feel that as per in the Consultants own words "we do not always get it right,but I can only advise you that I can offer a biopsy".
I will continue with the twice a year blood tests and see if there becomes any significant increase in levels to then ask for a biopsy.

 

[manimanc]

Great news oakie, nice one pal.

 

[Ancient Citizen]

Will he not even consider having a blood sample first and foremost ? However I suspect that his GP would like to examine his prostate with a finger but hell whats to fear in that ?

Exactly what I've told him, and he just won't countenance it, I've told him he's being a selfish ****, distressing his family
with his rank stupidity and ridiculous fears of embarrassment. The problem, if it can be described as such, is that he's never really had any
health problems until now, so thinks this will all 'go away.'
I fervently hope he's right.

 

[birchwoodgingerste]

Saw a Consultant yesterday, having been referred by my own GP,after two blood samples showed a slight high reading of 5.1 and then 5.9.
When referrals are made the Consultant says she always offers a biopsy or I could be kept under watch by my own GP,with further blood checks over the next 12 months.
The consultant explained that for a biopsy a local anaesthetic into the anus would help and then explained the possible negatives ie. blood in stools,semen and urine for a few days,bleeding from the rectum,infection.
However my biggest concern is the slight risk of blood poisoning ( ).This brought back memories of my Dad dying from this 13 years ago and I really don`t know what to do.Has anyone had this procedure done and is it as bad as people make out ?

Had biopsy in August I was 46 and caught scepticimea was really ill in hospital for a week and not well for a further two months. Then had to have radical prosectemy in Nov .suffered with incontence for months and it takes a while to get use to. Had all clear with no positive margins at start of Feb . However been suffering with hernia type pains in my groin and an upset stomach virtually everyday with blood in my stool. What the doctors don't tell you is on your biopsy it shoots the needle through your colon bringing a sample through the colon. This is how I got the scepticimea and it's possible for the cells to escape through the tiny hole left.i know have to visit the bowel specialist to determine whats happening.

 

[oakiecokie]

Exactly what I've told him, and he just won't countenance it, I've told him he's being a selfish ****, distressing his family
with his rank stupidity and ridiculous fears of embarrassment. The problem, if it can be described as such, is that he's never really had any
health problems until now, so thinks this will all 'go away.'
I fervently hope he's right.

No-one could have been more embarrassed than me when I first saw my GP.
As he prepared to penetrate my anus with his well lubricate finger,he said ... "Alan its not unusual to get an erection when performing this type of examination".
I retorted very quickly "I HAVN`T !!!".
He said "I know.But I have".
Swiftly moving on ... it really must be so distressing for the family for someone to behave in such a manner.Is it just plain ignorance of what to expect or a general fear AC ?
My GP and the Consultant I spoke with both stated the same thing.Every male has this within his blood system,but as they get older it increases.Surely at his age,does he goes for blood samples for other general types of check ups ? Or is it more the "I don`t want to know the results etc".
I hope for all your families sake that common sense eventually kicks in ... before its too late.

 

[oakiecokie]

Had biopsy in August I was 46 and caught scepticimea was really ill in hospital for a week and not well for a further two months. Then had to have radical prosectemy in Nov .suffered with incontence for months and it takes a while to get use to. Had all clear with no positive margins at start of Feb . However been suffering with hernia type pains in my groin and an upset stomach virtually everyday with blood in my stool. What the doctors don't tell you is on your biopsy it shoots the needle through your colon bringing a sample through the colon. This is how I got the scepticimea and it's possible for the cells to escape through the tiny hole left.i know have to visit the bowel specialist to determine whats happening.

And this is my biggest worry mate.My Dad died of septicaemia and watching him on that life support machine and having to ask Mum was she ready to let Dad go,the hardest thing both myself and sister have ever had to do.He was 79 at the time,but this is always at the back of my mind.
If push ever comes to shove,then no doubt I will probably at some stage have to have the biopsy done,so for the time being I am happy for a twice yearly blood sample to hopefully be a better option for me.I guess time will tell.
WOW mate you have had it rough and hopefully things will continue to be positive for you.

 

[dark 'n stormy]

And this is my biggest worry mate.My Dad died of septicaemia and watching him on that life support machine and having to ask Mum was she ready to let Dad go,the hardest thing both myself and sister have ever had to do.He was 79 at the time,but this is always at the back of my mind.
If push ever comes to shove,then no doubt I will probably at some stage have to have the biopsy done,so for the time being I am happy for a twice yearly blood sample to hopefully be a better option for me.I guess time will tell.
WOW mate you have had it rough and hopefully things will continue to be positive for you.

Hi, Oakie. Only just found this thread. I went to the Drs in Nov because of a pain in my thigh that I got when out walking. He did a blood test and it came back with a PSA count of 11.4.

I've now had a biopsy and MRI and bone scan. Biopsy has confirmed prostate cancer but it is confined to the prostate and has not spread.

Biopsy was unpleasant and caused blood in urine etc for some 3 weeks but all ok now.

They tell me that because it's been detected early and is confined to the prostate that it is curable and I'm about to start Brachytherapy this week. What joy.

Anyway, I'll be there today cheering on the boys. Take care mate.

 

[birchwoodgingerste]

Hi, Oakie. Only just found this thread. I went to the Drs in Nov because of a pain in my thigh that I got when out walking. He did a blood test and it came back with a PSA count of 11.4.

I've now had a biopsy and MRI and bone scan. Biopsy has confirmed prostate cancer but it is confined to the prostate and has not spread.

Biopsy was unpleasant and caused blood in urine etc for some 3 weeks but all ok now.

They tell me that because it's been detected early and is confined to the prostate that it is curable and I'm about to start Brachytherapy this week. What joy.

Anyway, I'll be there today cheering on the boys. Take care mate.

What grade was is mine was first diagnosed as a t1 but then I got re diagnosed to a tc2 I was told I needed immediate radical robotic surgery as it was ready to leave the prostate caught it just in time.

 

[oakiecokie]

Hi, Oakie. Only just found this thread. I went to the Drs in Nov because of a pain in my thigh that I got when out walking. He did a blood test and it came back with a PSA count of 11.4.

I've now had a biopsy and MRI and bone scan. Biopsy has confirmed prostate cancer but it is confined to the prostate and has not spread.

Biopsy was unpleasant and caused blood in urine etc for some 3 weeks but all ok now.

They tell me that because it's been detected early and is confined to the prostate that it is curable and I'm about to start Brachytherapy this week. What joy.

Anyway, I'll be there today cheering on the boys. Take care mate.

Hi mate,so glad to hear that yours was detected early and you`re hopefully on the road to recovery.I do hope plenty of other Blues take the time to read this thread for no other reason than to hopefully alleviate some fears.Some of the posts have been an eye opener.
Cheers,
Oakie