1. < Prostate Cancer

Biopsy or not?

Posted by monteshark @monteshark, Jan 29 6:49pm

My PSA went from 2.2 to 2.3 over 5 years, which is nothing. I have chronic prostatitis and BPH. The velocity is very low

I’m 64 and in good health, no
Meds and physically active.

The VA ordered me to have a MRI with contrast. They rated my MRI at Bi-Rad 3. I had an MRI 5 years ago from a different source and they rated me Bi-Rad 2.

I’m arguing with myself to have a biopsy. Thoughts???

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Prostate Cancer Support Group.

monteshark | @monteshark | Feb 1 2:41am
In reply to @heavyphil "If you decide to do the biopsy I URGE you emphatically to do a TRANSPERINEAL one...." + (show)
@heavyphil

If you decide to do the biopsy I URGE you emphatically to do a TRANSPERINEAL one.
With your history of infections you are begging for a whopper if you go with the rectal option. The VA is not known for using the most effective, up to date procedures in my opinion.

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This is what I requested and the center has only just begun doing it. Thank you for the suggestion

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jc76 | @jc76 | Feb 1 6:43am
In reply to @tuckerp "I hope my comment was not taken offensively. I have become very apprehensive with some medical..." + (show)
@tuckerp

I hope my comment was not taken offensively. I have become very apprehensive with some medical advice. Various reasons. I think this group offers a very comprehensive look at individual treatments. I have referred to this group as experts as I truly believe that the MCC site offers a much better education than what I receive from the medical field. I do wish I would have used the site more prior to my decision. I may have very well followed the same path but I think I would have asked different question. Keep up the excellent feedback that you provide. It does make a difference.

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@tuckerp
Not at all tuckerp. No offense here.
We just need to be careful as MCC posters are not medical experts and do not know your full medical and mental history of you. Some have vast more experience to share than I do.

Without knowing your complete medical and mental history specific medical advice of what is specific for you should be from medical professionals. And even saying that medical advice should come from medical experts who have vast experience and most updated diagnosis and treatments available.

I too learned a lot from being on MCC. I was lucky to have Mayo Clinic and UFHPTI that provided me tons of research and options for treatments. But then I was referred to MCC and the found the vast amount of experience with MCC posters extremely helpful understanding my journey with prostate cancer. They shared their personal journesy of symptoms, diagnosis, treatments, side affects, and post status.

I did not know about MCC until 01/15/23 and was already into my diagnosis and treatment plan. Even during those 2 years I have been on MCC I learn about new diagnosis tests and treatment options.

What I like most is the experience provided about side affects. You can get personal feedback just how common something is or uncommon. And then you have the experience of others how they dealt with them.

When I had dry orgasms after treatment ended I was shocked and terrified. But then I learned from MCC it was quite common. I then checked with my R/O and say yes it can be a side affect.

One poster said might have been told about dry orgasams during meetings with R/O but was so concerned with other side affects might have missed it. I think that happend to me as just don't remember it being discusses. But at that time I difently was not thinking about sex.

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jc76 | @jc76 | Feb 1 6:46am
In reply to @monteshark "Hey all, my Urologist gave me some kind of urine test to detect possible cancer before..." + (show)
@monteshark

Hey all, my Urologist gave me some kind of urine test to detect possible cancer before they do a biopsy. I’ve opted for biopsy. I have a single lesion on the transection of the prostate 1.1cm. It’s rated PiRad 3. My PSA is still 2.3, and only minor symptoms. I don’t even get up at night to urinate unless I drink water before bed. My kidney function is great btw. Typically good stream when urinating. I have chronic prostitis and BPH. I’ve requested the new biopsy method you all recommended. I’m hoping this is an early warning and get ahead of this thing.

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@monteshark
I have not heard of a urine test for prostate cancer. Is this new? Do you have anymore information on it.

Personally I would have made same decsions on this as you did.

Good luck.

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1 reply
VancouverIslandHiker | @vancouverislandhiker | Feb 1 9:14am

Tough call Sir . Your Dr may see something I do not .... therefore I would consult with him.... then consider getting one . Not fun but your Dr is recommending one for a reason . God Bless Sir! and thanks for your service to Canada/USA , Sir . You have this one ! Think positive and get your body moving with walking the dog or a light hike and the like . Keeps mins active ! James on Vancouver Island .

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1 reply
monteshark | @monteshark | Feb 1 9:15am

I’m working with a Orology center and group of physicians. They did this new urine test to look at bio markers.

“New urine-based test detects high grade prostate cancer
Test looks at 18 genes, and was specifically developed to pick out cancers that need immediate treatment over the slow growing type, helping men avoid unnecessary biopsies”

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chippydoo | @chippydoo | Feb 1 9:41am

You might want to ask your provider about getting a 4K Blood Score Test. It measure 4 more factors than a simple PSA does and might drive the need for a biopsy or not. It was used during my diagnosis.

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1 reply
monteshark | @monteshark | Feb 1 12:41pm
In reply to @vancouverislandhiker "Tough call Sir . Your Dr may see something I do not .... therefore I would..." + (show)
@vancouverislandhiker

Tough call Sir . Your Dr may see something I do not .... therefore I would consult with him.... then consider getting one . Not fun but your Dr is recommending one for a reason . God Bless Sir! and thanks for your service to Canada/USA , Sir . You have this one ! Think positive and get your body moving with walking the dog or a light hike and the like . Keeps mins active ! James on Vancouver Island .

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I’m all in now and moving on this..zero delays. I want to get ahead of this, thankfully the VA doctor ordered the MRI and I have an opportunity to fight this if it’s there. I look at this now as an opportunity that was given to me.

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peterj116 | @peterj116 | Feb 1 12:50pm
In reply to @jc76 "@monteshark I have not heard of a urine test for prostate cancer. Is this new? Do..." + (show)
@jc76

@monteshark
I have not heard of a urine test for prostate cancer. Is this new? Do you have anymore information on it.

Personally I would have made same decsions on this as you did.

Good luck.

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Usually that's just to test for any urinary infections before the biopsy.
I had that, too. Pee in a cup, wait for the all clear, then being led into the room for the biopsy.

But then again....
https://www.cxbladder.com/nz/bladder-cancer/detection/urine-test-detection/

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1 reply
monteshark | @monteshark | Feb 1 5:55pm
In reply to @peterj116 "Usually that's just to test for any urinary infections before the biopsy. I had that, too...." + (show)
@peterj116

Usually that's just to test for any urinary infections before the biopsy.
I had that, too. Pee in a cup, wait for the all clear, then being led into the room for the biopsy.

But then again....
https://www.cxbladder.com/nz/bladder-cancer/detection/urine-test-detection/

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It was some kind of high speed bio something test for high risk cancer. It’s brand new and my urologist is all over this…my VA Doctor I credit for this opportunity to get ahead of this dragon. My urology team is rolling hard and not stalling. I’m thankful to all of them. And of course God.

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2 replies
jc76 | @jc76 | Feb 2 6:21am
In reply to @chippydoo "You might want to ask your provider about getting a 4K Blood Score Test. It measure..." + (show)
@chippydoo

You might want to ask your provider about getting a 4K Blood Score Test. It measure 4 more factors than a simple PSA does and might drive the need for a biopsy or not. It was used during my diagnosis.

Jump to this post

@chippydoo
When I have my PSA checked at Mayo it comes back with PSA and then a lot of other numbers under other abbreviations. I think this must be what you are describing in your post.

I have a PSA coming up and will asked my Mayo PCP if this is what he orders.

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