How long did you wait for biopsy results?

Posted by shep247 @shep247, May 14 2:03pm

Coming up on nearly 3 weeks since I had my fusion biopsy and still no results/feedback from the urologist. I was originally told one week, possibly two due to IT problems.
Left a voicemail and an email end of last week but no response. Not sure if this is just the state of affairs in the medical world these days due to short-staffing issues or not?
Curious to hear what others have experienced.

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I waited about 4–5 days, IIRC, but I was top priority (hospitalised and paraplegic after emergency debulking surgery) and in a different country (Canada).

I think people wait much longer for "routine" biopsy results. Three weeks doesn't sound too far off.

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I waited a month before contacting the urologist about the results. She then informed me that they had not sent them to be tested. So I waited another 3 weeks before contacting her again and then had to wait another week for her to 'go over' the results and contacting me with the results. So I waited two months at my local care center. I asked Mayo to look at them and got the results in a week.

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I just reviewed my 2023 experience at Kaiser in Washington state. Biopsy performed 1PM Feb 9, a Thursday. Sent to path lab 7 AM Friday morning. Received online full report 7 PM Monday evening, Feb 13. Spoke with Urologist by phone noon the next day.

Considering the intervening weekend, that sounds like there was no time wasted, our Kaiser has a very efficient system.

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IMO 3 weeks is unusually long. Do you have online access? Something like MyChart? If so I’d send them a message each day until they responded but that’s just me.

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My Urologist does biopsies and reports on the same day typically on Friday so that if you are getting a biopsy you can recover over the weekend and if are getting a report you get the news a week later. 3 Weeks seems a long time. My Urology office refuses to give any results (good or bad) over the phone or through an online portal. I would call the office and explain that you have been waiting for 3 weeks and don't have any results.

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@trusam1

I just reviewed my 2023 experience at Kaiser in Washington state. Biopsy performed 1PM Feb 9, a Thursday. Sent to path lab 7 AM Friday morning. Received online full report 7 PM Monday evening, Feb 13. Spoke with Urologist by phone noon the next day.

Considering the intervening weekend, that sounds like there was no time wasted, our Kaiser has a very efficient system.

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I too am with Kaiser ( in Oregon) and my biopsy results were likewise received within days. My RARP was also performed by Kaiser

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I'm curious I have Kaiser in Southern California . They gave me a PSA test ( without asking first or explaining what it is or asking if I wanted it .... ) . Turns out I have a PSA of 11 - I'm 67 yrs old . I called and they let me talk to a PA ( in urology ) and she said I need a biopsy - I asked if I should or could get a quality MRI first as that is what all my research has said would be the next step - before a biopsy . She bristled at the suggestion and said that an MRI would not be appropriate and Kaiser will not approve - but I could get a second opinion with a urologist at Kaiser .... that was over 2 months ago - I have had my appointment cancelled for a second opinion from Kaiser . I have now rescheduled but I have to wait another 2 months ...... I found that there are NO urologists that will give me an appointment outside of Kaiser without insurance . Period . I have put out calls to many and they refuse to even consider a consultation and they will not consider cash . ( I have seen reference to an out of state urologist that will give a consultation for $1900 that will accept cash ) I have yet to follow up . I have also been considering out of country maybe Mexico to get an MRI any suggestions ? Thanks in advance .

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@ovstampco

I'm curious I have Kaiser in Southern California . They gave me a PSA test ( without asking first or explaining what it is or asking if I wanted it .... ) . Turns out I have a PSA of 11 - I'm 67 yrs old . I called and they let me talk to a PA ( in urology ) and she said I need a biopsy - I asked if I should or could get a quality MRI first as that is what all my research has said would be the next step - before a biopsy . She bristled at the suggestion and said that an MRI would not be appropriate and Kaiser will not approve - but I could get a second opinion with a urologist at Kaiser .... that was over 2 months ago - I have had my appointment cancelled for a second opinion from Kaiser . I have now rescheduled but I have to wait another 2 months ...... I found that there are NO urologists that will give me an appointment outside of Kaiser without insurance . Period . I have put out calls to many and they refuse to even consider a consultation and they will not consider cash . ( I have seen reference to an out of state urologist that will give a consultation for $1900 that will accept cash ) I have yet to follow up . I have also been considering out of country maybe Mexico to get an MRI any suggestions ? Thanks in advance .

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I guess my experience was that I went in for a routine exam due to urge to pee. I have had PSA tests for years with my yearly physical. I am surprised you have not. My urologists' said my prostate was slightly elongated . He said we can do all sorts of other testing but confirm cancer without a biopsy. Lets just do one and see whats going on. My PSA was 1.2. So based on that I would say why not do the biopsy? Seems if the MRI shows anything they will do one anyway. Otherwise how can they confirm cancer. I would say after confirming with biopsy then maybe a MRI and PET scan to determine your next move.

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@ovstampco

I'm curious I have Kaiser in Southern California . They gave me a PSA test ( without asking first or explaining what it is or asking if I wanted it .... ) . Turns out I have a PSA of 11 - I'm 67 yrs old . I called and they let me talk to a PA ( in urology ) and she said I need a biopsy - I asked if I should or could get a quality MRI first as that is what all my research has said would be the next step - before a biopsy . She bristled at the suggestion and said that an MRI would not be appropriate and Kaiser will not approve - but I could get a second opinion with a urologist at Kaiser .... that was over 2 months ago - I have had my appointment cancelled for a second opinion from Kaiser . I have now rescheduled but I have to wait another 2 months ...... I found that there are NO urologists that will give me an appointment outside of Kaiser without insurance . Period . I have put out calls to many and they refuse to even consider a consultation and they will not consider cash . ( I have seen reference to an out of state urologist that will give a consultation for $1900 that will accept cash ) I have yet to follow up . I have also been considering out of country maybe Mexico to get an MRI any suggestions ? Thanks in advance .

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May I suggest you call the helpline at the Prostate Cancer Research Institute in Culver City CA? I believe that they can help you navigate this. https://pcri.org/

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