Had a biopsy done recently - they want to do another one!

Fairway5, can you explain the procedure involved with the rectal MRI? Is there constant manuvering of the probe? Is it as painful as the biopsy? Is sedation a good option?

Getting older sucks. I've gone the whole route including Radical Prostectomy and radiation in 2009. A key to survival is you need to do whatever it takes including another biopsy if needed. You might also consult with another doctor. The Mayo Clinic offers a C11-choline PET scan that can see active cancer cells with a low PSA of 2+. In other tests it would possibly need to be 20+.

@safari1949, have you any lasting side effect since surgery and radiation?

@kane59, good questions to @fairway5 about rectal MRI. Are you scheduled to have one?

Mayo wants to schedule a rectal MRI in about 4 months. My question was, is the rectal MRI as painful as the biopsy? The manuvering of the probe during the biopsy was a killer! My biopsy experience will last a life time.

I had the same torturous experience. The good news on your upcoming MRI is that if you're proactive, you can request the alternate method which does not use the "coil", I've been trying to find the right term to use when inquiring about it. The phrase started with or included "glyco or maybe gluco". My nurse said the chemical method was actually a better image than the coil method.

Glucagon is the chemical they used rather than the coil(ouch)method.

If you need another biopsy then I would do it however I would only do a 3T MRI Guided biopsy if you can’t get one done locally call Dr Sperling at the Sperling Prostate Center in Florida.