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Enormous Prostate: Working on a Treatment Plan
Hi, all. I am new here. I had a PSA a few months ago and there was alarm when it came out to an 8 and change. They tested it again a few weeks later and it was an 11.3. A digital exam found nothing unusual but the doctor ordered an MRI, which did not show anything that looked obvious for cancer. "Highly Unlikely" was the finding. One horrible thing came out of it, though. A normal prostate apparently has a volume of 20-30, I believe? My doctor said he would be highly concerned if it was 60-80 or larger, but mine is 190 in volume. He was shocked that I have only mild symptoms related to it in terms of the "normal" enlarged prostate symptoms. (I urinate a little more often, infrequently start and stop, get up 1-2 times a night, etc. Normal sexual function.) My PSA was still at 11.8 after 3-4 weeks since the last 11. I don't know if it matters, but I am 6'7" and weigh just over 300 lbs., though I hold it well. (Most people guess I am 250-270 lbs.)
He has ordered a TRUS biopsy in a couple of weeks, despite the MRI findings being good. He says he does not wish to address the size of the prostate until he is 100% sure there is no cancer. I guess that is the wise choice? What do you think?
Afterwards, assuming the biopsy is clear, he wants to perform a TURP to remove excess prostate tissue. There are doctors here who can perform HeLoP, as well. Which is better? I have read that HeLoP is a better option than TRUS for large prostates like mine? (I'm hoping - even assuming - there are no signs of cancer, obviously, and that this is the path.) Thanks for any advice. I've been a bit anxious about it all, but am a man of faith, so not terribly stricken with worry. I appreciate any suggestions or thoughts!
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I'm hopeing my PC will do the same Going to stop horrible Lupron 3 month shot today as I am so tired of feeling like S..T. Quality of life? HAHA!
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1 ReactionSomeone recently poster a spread sheet of various tests and their reliability. PSE came in at the top of the list. PSA mid range with a 50% reliability. Wish I'd known.
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1 ReactionHere it is again. There are many options
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4 ReactionsSome are very lucky. I quit Lupron just yesterday due to horrible SE's. after 2, 3 months shots. On Abiraterone and Prednisone at the same time. I did another Lupron stint with 3, 3 month shots Quit for the SE's back then 2 years ago as I remember. Dr says keep up the Abiraterone and prednisone but I am very worried as to the right choice. SE's this time were much worse than the older one which were bad as well.. Going to wait and see how long it takes for the PSA to creep back up as before other moves. NASTY disease with horrible SE's from Lupron thrown in as well.
Diagnosed at 71 2/2019 PSA 43 Gleasons 7-9 Any info about others' experiences with similar histories much appreciated.
Thanks,
SW Seattle
Perhaps do the test several times over a few weeks. Myself 43 original then 35 a few weeks later before biopsy which was 7-9 Gleasons and PC in all 12 cores which nailed as PC for sure
The PSE test could be taken by somebody that has a Gleason 6 To see if there is cancer in their bloodstream, and if there is then they can do a biopsy if there isn’t, they don’t need to do one.
Eliminates unnecessary Biopsies.
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1 Reaction@hoops0200, checking in. Any update? Did you have further diagnostic testing to find out what is going on? What's the diagnosis and plan going forward?
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3 ReactionsWow! Thanks for checking in, Colleen! Work and travel have been crazy lately, but Friday was the last of a very hectic 3-4 weeks, and I am back to a normal routine, overall. (Thanks to everyone else who replied, too!)
I have the biopsy this Wednesday, March 5. I am still very nervous about it, mainly from hating the "invasive" part of it all. I feel pretty confident going in, with the MRI showing "highly unlikely" earlier. The doctor wants to be 100% sure, and I get that. I am more nervous about what plans he has to reduce the size of this enormous prostate.
I have lost a good amount of weight with a product called Zepbound, and am looking much more fit. The company I work for informed us a few weeks ago that they are not covering it through BCBS anymore. I'm OK with that, I suppose. After about 20-days of being off it it I discovered that the irritability, depression and extremely low libido that I had while taking it those 4+ months has essentially vanished. I am no longer irritable, I have been laughing a ton and feel mentally great, and I am back to my normal sex drive, which was very active with my wife prior to Zepbound. So I'm not sure if this whole prostate thing has me feeling more anxious on top of that epiphany or not, as my wife and I are closing in on the anniversary of 30 amazing years together, and, at 54-years old, I'm not really wanting to give up on that part of things. (I'm one of those "this is how we connect emotionally" kind of guys, I suppose.)
So, once we get the results of the biopsy, and, what I assume to be a plan for this huge prostate rather than cancer treatment (fingers crossed), maybe I'll have some comfort. I'll' be sure to check back in once I know more!
Thanks, again, everyone!
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4 ReactionsI think for most people thinking about the details of the biopsy procedure produces unnecessary anxiety. Try to relax. In the grand scheme of things it's not really that big of a deal.
Please post your own reaction after you have the procedure.
Yes, windrider0200, that was my experience too (with the Transrectal biopsy). No big deal. Here below is the link to my previous detailed experience. By the way, just one more thought. My first orgasm post biopsy was dramatic and quite memorable. Thank goodness I had read about it here on the forum because the doctor never told me or if he did, he downplayed it. Mine was like solid blood! Over the next week or so it gradually became less red, more pink and then back to normal.
Best wishes to hoops0200 and all the brethren.
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/received-mri-results-today/?pg=8#comment-1188714
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