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

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@jc76

Looks like from all you provided your's is probably low risk. But man we are just novices on this but sharing our knowledge of our experiences not medical professionals giving advice. Did any of your providers recommended monitoring? What was your PSA?

On the PSA I am an example that the PSA is not definitive factor in having cancer or not. My PSA was still within normal range but I had cancer. It is why monitoring of PSA is important to see if rising on consistent basis as a indicator just as much as a high PSA level.

Yes I too found out the reading of biopsies and MRI scans is subjective and can be iterpreted differently. It seems the common type of prostrate cancer is hard to rate as degree is the difference between normal tissues and and cancer ones. I think you said you did the MRI without the barieum contrast. Did they put in a probe? Both of these are done to get a more accurate reading of your prostrate. Was there a reason they did not do the barieum and/or contrast with the MRI?

I am not sure but did I asked if you were offered the Decipher test. If not asked about it because it is what changed my reading and final diagnosis from intermediate to low.

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PSA level has bounced around. Last check in April was 9.6. I requested no contrast because I had a headache after my first MRI (which was with contrast). Nothing severe but I don't get headaches. I have read that contrast can be dangerous because it is heavy metal that is not eliminated from the body and can create kidney problems. I've also read that if if the equipment is state of the art 3T mulitiparametric MRI and the radiologist is experienced in reading prostate MRIs then the contrast is not necessary.
I had another test called Oncotype DX prostate cancer assay. I had low-intermediate score.

Is a Decipher Test the standard of care? Do some people move forward without having this done?

My husband just got an MRI done (no probe put in and I"m not sure if there was a barieum contrast) and he got a rating of "5". The doctor who read the MRI said the next step is to have a biopsy. We are waiting to talk with the MD who will do the biopsy (Kaiser, Santa Clara CA).