New and Need Guidance: What questions to ask about prostate cancer?

Posted by vulcan @vulcan, Mar 9, 2023

Hello everyone, sadly I have had to join this area of the internet which we don't wish on anybody.

I am on here because my father who is 70 had a blood work done on 1/23 with a PSA of 26 and another blood work on 2/23 with PSA 20.

We are in Michigan, USA fyi.

Completed a 3T MRI on 2/23 and today got the results showing a Pi-RADS 4 with a lession found to be the size of 8mm. The doctor also mentioned that the MRI could also see the close by lymph nodes which looked good.

The doctor ordered a Fusion Biopsy, which they will call us in the next 2 weeks to schedule a date for.

We were all caught off guard and uneducated in the matter leading to no real questions asked and following whatever the doctor says to do.

I wanted to join the forum and ask this kind group of individuals for guidance through this process.
-What questions to ask the doctor?
-What specific types of biopsies are most accurate and useful?
-Is the "Fusion Biopsy" that the doctor ordered the proper one?
-Is there other types of biopsies that we should ask for?
-Is doing a biopsy risky in any way, and can it worsen a situation?
-Is there ANY reason to avoid doing a biopsy?
-In case of bad biopsy results, what treatment options are there? (I would assume you're going to say that this completely varies until a pathology report)
-What hospitals/clinics/locations would be best to go to for the best treatment?
-Is a biopsy very likely to show cancer with a Pi-RADS 4 and lession of 8mm?
-What words of encouragement would you have for myself/my family/my father in this situation?
-Is this something to be absolutely worried sick over?
-Is this something where life goes on with manageable treatments and major or minor life altering events?
-Is this something that we should not worry too much about at all?

IF I am asking ANY dumb questions, please forgive me for my ignorance and uneducated questions. This is obviously a world that nobody wants to go into but unfortunately a lot of us are in.

Current treatment location is at:
Michigan Institute of Urology
St. Clair Shores, Michigan

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Prostate Cancer Support Group.

Has anyone with prostate cancer wished they would have gone to hormone therapy pills right after radiation ?

REPLY
@richlee

Has anyone with prostate cancer wished they would have gone to hormone therapy pills right after radiation ?

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@richlee, check out these possibly related discussions:
- ADT how long post Radical Prostatectomy & Radiation Therapy?
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/post-radical-prostatectomy-and-adjuvant-radiation-therapy/

- I want to learn more about ADT
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/i-want-to-learn-more-about-adt/

- After radiation: Any advice on next steps, what to expect next 12 mos?
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/advice-on-post-radiation-treatment/

- Anyone take a Treatment Holiday? Intermittent use of ADT (hormone Tx)
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/anyone-take-a-treatment-holiday-intermittent-use-of-adt-like-orgovy/

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