Recommendation for second opinion on prostate MRI scan?

Yes the biopsies will be the procedure to really determine the cancer and stage.

The MRI, CTs, only show suspicious areas. Both of us were under the normal range for PSA. My primary care doctor did not like my rising numbers though. Urologist when got MRI said 70% chance the suspicious areas would be cancer.

I think even if under the norm (mine was 3.75 but was rising every 3 months) the thing to watch and address is why the PSA is rising not so much the number. The only way you have PSA or rising PSA is the prostrate irritation and or cancer. So something I wanted to address and find out rather than waiting.

Good luck on your biopsy on Tuesday. Can you pass on how it came out. Again good luck!!

The other test that is essential is the PSMA PET scan. This scan targets prostate cancer specifically by using an agent that attaches to prostate tumors. This test is not available everywhere. Mayo has it, University of Michigan also has it. Good luck.

tgood, thanks for feedback. I did have a PET scan done prior to treatments at UFPTI. It was done at Shands Hospital but ordered by my UFPTI urolgist/oncologist. I was told (UFPTI) it was to determine if the cancer was anywhere else in my body especially lymphnodes.

It used some type of contrast injection. I see my Oncologist/Radiologist for my first 3 month follow up October 4th and will asked him as he ordered it. It was a long wait to get it as only done once a week. She tech that did it said something about storing it as had to have special area. It came back negative as wells as the bone scan.

I had two MRIs and neither saw anything. And the second MRI was after my biopsy and they knew exactly where to look for my PCa.
Do some looking up. MRIs can be anywhere from 50-90% accurate.
I would not rely on them too much.

groundhogy, On your MRI did they use an injectable special contrast that highlights the prostrate and shows suspicious areas? Did they use a implantable probe balloon that also places the prostrate in position and hold it so MRI is more clear? Prostrate can move during a MRI and can blur the MRI.

My MRI with contrast and balloon was done at Mayo Jacksonville. The MRI showed suspicious areas which is what they can do, not diagnose cancer. Then I had MRI/Fusion biopsies and pathology results confirmed areas of prostrate cancer and my Gleason Score and risk level.

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).

@jj2002
The medical establishment especially urologist and R/O would be a better source of asking if Decipher test was standard of care. You can do research on it

I do know that it was mentioned to me after I had consultation at R/O (Mayo Jacksonville). I really did not want to take hormones as part of my treatments and they said "we can do a Decipher test." At the time I did not know about Dechipher test (nor MCC) and they explained would help determined aggressiveness of disease.

So I had it and it came back less aggressive than the biopsies. It is hard to explain but biopsies require the pathologist to determine the rating of the cancer by comparing your normal cells with cancer cells thus can be subjective. A Decipher test is objective genetic test and mine came back less aggresive that the reading from biopsies. Thus I was advised would not need hormone treatments just radiation.

So I am a very supportive of Decipher test along with other tests like PSMA, and bone scans. I think (but it must be a personal decision) you should get as many proven diagnostic test that can help with determining the best and appropriate treatment for you specifically.

You asked about do some people move forward without having it done. Yes! If you read posts on MCC you will see many did not have Decipher test nor was it offered. What I think is a fallacy that Decipher requires more biopsies. It does not require more biopsies. They (your provider who did biopsies) sends the biopsies to Decipher. Decipher contacted me directly about costs if my insurance did not pay for the test offering a lower charge and a plan to pay on monthly basis. Medicare did pay.

I wish I had more knowledge about your comment on doing a MRI without a probe. My Mayo urologist ordered the probe and contrast. It (probe) is not the most comfortable thing but helps the R/O and urologist read the MRI test results. So again whomever is having the tests should know about options and make a decision on what is best for them. Best thing to do is ask questions.

I am also a big supporter of second opinons. This is cancer and something you are fighting so the most information you can get the better. I hope I answered your questions you had for me. If I did not feel free to asked. It is the reason MCC is here.

Ask your Urologist . Mine had two previous MRI scans compared at his hospital by his radiography department .
What was your PI-RADS number ?
Was it a 3T or the older T 1.5 Scan ?