← Return to Recommendation for second opinion on prostate MRI scan?

Discussion
Comment receiving replies
@merwether

More opinions don't make treatment decisions any easier but in my case I believe it's necessary. I don't presume to advise what is right for someone else in different circumstances.
I'm 72. If I were younger, at higher risk, and had an aggressive case of prostate cancer then I would certainly feel pressure to "get on with it" as you say. Getting second opinions doesn't indicate a lack of trust. It's simply an acknowledgement that diagnostic tools and the personnel who use them aren't perfect. Dr. Mark Scholtz, founder of the Prostate Cancer Research Institute and double board certified medical oncologist has discussed the importance of second opinions and, more importantly, finding medical professionals who are experienced in interpreting prostate cancer biopsies and scans before seeking treatment.

I had three different Gleason scores on the same biopsy slides in one week from two pathologists (one of those pathologists downgraded his score). If that isn't cause for a few questions then I don't know what would be.
If my biopsy results from J. Hopkins are correct (Gleason 3+3) then treatment would not be recommended. In most cases, the biopsy is the most important diagnostic tool that we have. In my case, if the initial interpretation of my MRI is correct then the the results would be "discordant" to use the word of my urologist) with the interpretation of biopsy from Johns Hopkins.
In any event, my urologist indicated that I had a couple of months to think through my options and that's exactly what I'm doing.

Jump to this post


Replies to "More opinions don't make treatment decisions any easier but in my case I believe it's necessary...."

I think you can wait without too much worry. Your PSA at around 10 is elevated but mine was around 12 or so for 3 years and I only took action when the PSA went to 18. I did just finish proton therapy and pretty happy with the outcome.

At 72, you could probably let it run wild (read no treatment) and still live to 90.

Once you are on forums and such however, your ability to wait and see will be tested. The data says do nothing for a while and see where we are in a year or two. Humans on message boards have you getting all sorts of things done to you which in all likelihood is rather harmful.

Your call.