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Biopsy v non-Biopsy: Can you be diagnosed without a biopsy?
Prostate Cancer | Last Active: Mar 9 9:14am | Replies (70)Comment receiving replies
Here is my latest MRI. Not sure if that indicates regressive or otherwise. I am PIRADS 4! I have been for the last 3 MRI. My lesions have doubled in size in the last 3 years.
I have weird bone pain! My thumb and wrist hurt constantly for no reason. My angle - twisted last year - is constant pain. I had a L1-L5 lumbar fusion so back pain is a constant.
Yes! My urologist was more interested in doing surgery than anything else. I am an educator with a masters in curriculum design- so I appreciate their scientific journey and they earn every penny they get.
I am retired military and was exposed to hazardous chemicals that now we know causes cancer - AFFF!
Replies to "Here is my latest MRI. Not sure if that indicates regressive or otherwise. I am PIRADS..."
@csbarry Well, as an educated man, why not connect the dots: High PSA - possible cancer…PIRADS 4 - highly suggestive of cancer…lesions doubling in size over a 3 year period - suggestive of malignant cell growth…bone pain of unknown origin - very suspect for metastatic cancer.
Yet, you fail to see how a biopsy might be the most useful and important thing you can do in order to find this out??
I’m sorry, but I think your fear of being diagnosed with the worst possibility - metastatic prostate cancer to the bones - is causing denial on your part. You are smart enough to know better.
Scream and yell at me if you like, but there’s no shame in being afraid of this thing - we’re ALL terrified of it every freakin day.
Phil
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@csbarry
First of all let me express my gratitude for your military service, we all owe you and all our service men and women our heartfelt thanks!
I am not a physician, just a fellow PCa patient, who happens to know something about chemistry and research (retired chemical engineer).
I know about PFAS and a quick search found this document, which may relate directly to your situation and potential military exposure to AFFF.
https://www.va.gov/vetapp25/Files2/A25017998.txt
In any case, my quick search indicates that one must have a positive diagnosis of PCa, if you are following up regarding your concern about AFFF exposure.
For better or worse, one cannot claim a PCa diagnosis unless a biopsy makes that finding positive.
As good as mpMRI’s have progressed, they are still not accepted as proof of diagnosis of prostate cancer in the US (if anyone reading knows otherwise, please indicate).
Therefore, if you’re pursuing action with the VA and AFFF exposure, regarding the possibility of PCa, a biopsy will be necessary.
Person to person, I hope you would be found to have no PCa, based on a biopsy and that it turns out only to be BPH and inflammation…certainly a possibility with the size of your prostate.
I’ll be remembering you in my prayers!
All the best!