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High PSA, but MRI is negative. Biopsy or Not?

Prostate Cancer | Last Active: 6 hours ago | Replies (55)

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Profile picture for climateguy @climateguy

@capatov My case is somewhat similar to yours, except more advanced. (5 cores out of 12, seminal vesicles are now also involved). If you had chosen to put your biopsy off for another year, perhaps you'd be in my boat.

I was so concerned early on to avoid a biopsy in case it wasn't necessary, but now that I've been sentenced to 2 years of ADT, and 5 weeks of EBRT, I see that having a biopsy seems trivial.

Urologists seem a bit trigger happy when recommending a biopsy, but they have a very good idea of how serious things can get if you don't find out what's happening in time.

Part of my hesitation was the older idea, that was somewhat set in stone in 2012 by the US Preventative Services Task Force, that no men should be routinely screened with PSA testing. The problem then was way too many men were being tortured with biopsies and treatments with not much to show for it in terms of extended life span for the group. The solution, no testing, is now very clearly seen to have been mistaken. The current emphasis on active surveillance for lower grade cancers that are found on biopsy seems to be a far better idea.

It took me a while to actually look into this impression that I had, i.e. PSA tests shouldn't even be done, to where I realized things had changed since 2012. I did get a repeat PSA test to make sure the results were consistent, then I agreed to a biopsy - months after when I should have had one.

I had a transperineal biopsy in order to reduce the risk of infection that can happen more often with the alternative, i.e. transrectal biopsy. I felt the effects for weeks afterward, but the effects were hardly problematic. There were dark blood stains left by my ejaculate for months afterward but this eventually went away.

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Replies to "@capatov My case is somewhat similar to yours, except more advanced. (5 cores out of 12,..."

@climateguy - I appreciate your situation and hesitation to get the biopsy. I live in ATL and my son is an anesthesiologist that works at Emory St Johns hospital with may of the best Emory Winship Cancer Institute MDs. He connected me to what he felt was the top urologist/surgeon and Radiation Oncologist.

I too inquired about transperineal vs. transrectal biopsies. I had seen some research that transperineal had lower infection rates. But Emory MDs said latest research shows they are almost equal with less than 1 % infection rate. Granted, when you do get an infection it is often very serious.

I was very lucky that after my transrectal biopsy and subsequent 5 weeks IMRT + high dose brachytherapy...I had zero pain, bleeding or other issues. I consider myself very fortunate/blessed in this regard.

I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers!

Good luck to you