Prostate cancer

[AstonZagato]

Louis Balfour said:

The Gauge said:

Louis Balfour said:

What sort of biopsy is he advocating? If it is trans-rectal it might just be an uncomfortable and high-risk endeavour - they'll be taking 10-12 cores. A transperineal template biopsy can take up to fifty. So there is more probability of finding something.

No idea what kind of biopsy I had last year, but I had 12 needles so would that mean it was a trans-rectal?

No pain at all, and all clear thankfully.

If you were awake and it was 12 cores it will have been transrectal. Pleased it was clear.

I had transperineal and 12 cores, so it is not necessarily a transrectal biopsy. If they give you masses of antibiotics, then it would probably have been transrectal (I had no antibiotics).

[Louis Balfour]

AstonZagato said:

Louis Balfour said:

The Gauge said:

Louis Balfour said:

What sort of biopsy is he advocating? If it is trans-rectal it might just be an uncomfortable and high-risk endeavour - they'll be taking 10-12 cores. A transperineal template biopsy can take up to fifty. So there is more probability of finding something.

No idea what kind of biopsy I had last year, but I had 12 needles so would that mean it was a trans-rectal?

No pain at all, and all clear thankfully.

If you were awake and it was 12 cores it will have been transrectal. Pleased it was clear.

I had transperineal and 12 cores, so it is not necessarily a transrectal biopsy. If they give you masses of antibiotics, then it would probably have been transrectal (I had no antibiotics).

Was that after an MRI?

[Ken Figenus]

What a superb open, frank and supportive thread.

I'm fine, but dad had it - spread to his bones aged 89 and took him out - a great innings though.

Did a job one day and shook Prof Malcom Mason's hand after interviewing him and thanked him for the dual approach he developed that let us have dad till 89. As positive for him as it was for me and it was beyond lovely.

Anyway, just went to GP for a PSA test as I've had one before but GP wouldn't do it without a rectal examination - which took me aback more than expected actually. I'm sure I can come to terms with that and out of courtesy have a shower and have clean pants on before (yes Mum!) but he was so ste and unreassuring and saying stuff like 'its no worse than a colonoscopy'. I told him I have no reference point for that and that and I would rearrange (with a far better practioner) etc... He was pretty awful from start to finish really with no peoples skills or calm reassurance- known for it...

Anyway my question is, is there a better way as PSA is still a bit hit and miss and the finger technique seems a bit blunt and clumsy and not 360?. I have some health cover, sadly, as the NHS has taken out a few family members already with their delay, rationing and neglect...

Thanks for any advice as I'd rather keep an eye than cross my fingers!

[CharlesdeGaulle]

The digital examination isn't painful and needn't be embarrassing. If your GP is a knob get someone else to do it. It's a reliable and simple test so worth getting done.

[Sheepshanks]

Ken Figenus said:

Anyway my question is, is there a better way as PSA is still a bit hit and miss...

There was another blood test - Stockholm3 - that you can have done privately that I think has been discussed a few times in the thread:

https://prostatematters.co.uk/screening/stockholm-...


Edited to add the name and link.


There's some discussion of it and an experience around July 23 in this thread.

Edited by Sheepshanks on Tuesday 6th February 22:33

[Mr Pointy]

Sheepshanks said:

Ken Figenus said:

Anyway my question is, is there a better way as PSA is still a bit hit and miss...

There was another blood test that you can have done privately mentioned earlier in the thread.

..
https://www.nice.org.uk/advice/mib303/chapter/The-...
https://www.a3p.com/en/stockholm3/
https://prostatematters.co.uk/screening/stockholm-...

[Sheepshanks]

Mr Pointy said:

Sheepshanks said:

Ken Figenus said:

Anyway my question is, is there a better way as PSA is still a bit hit and miss...

There was another blood test that you can have done privately mentioned earlier in the thread.

..
https://www.nice.org.uk/advice/mib303/chapter/The-...
https://www.a3p.com/en/stockholm3/
https://prostatematters.co.uk/screening/stockholm-...

Beat me to it!

[Gas1883]

Had biopsy today , originally under general anaesthetic ( asleep ) but the anaesthetist who came to see me said he was concerned about my lungs so they would do the procedure when I was awake , got down to theatre & change of plan. , they were short of the smaller dose of what ever they were going to inject into my spine , only larger dose so he said I’d be numb for to long , so back to original plan ( asleep ) .
Had apparently 28 cores done so glad I was asleep , normally 19 , hardest part of day was trying to supply 100 ml of urine before they’d discharge me ( not had that before ) , normally as long as you’ve ate / peed there fine , took 4 hrs to supply quantity required , feel ok , hopefully next few days / weeks will be fine .
Reading notes when home it’s saying no obvious target areas seen on uss , maybe understanding that incorrectly as I’ve had large lump , nodule described to me before .

[Gas1883]

Had a really good night , totally the opposite of the first general biopsy , no pain at all , just had to get up every hour or so for a pee , strange how you can get such different reactions to the same procedure .
Hopefully won’t need a biopsy for many a year , but will stick to general .

[The Gauge]

I bet you are relived it's all done now Gas

I had to sit around for an hour or so till I could give a urine sample after my prostate biopsy. The guy kept coming up to me Avery 15 mons asking why I hadn't managed it yet. If you can't go then you can't go!

Had blood in my urine for the following week, and also in my ejaculate for a 2nd week which is alarming to see!

[westberks]

Gas1883 said:

Had a really good night , totally the opposite of the first general biopsy , no pain at all , just had to get up every hour or so for a pee , strange how you can get such different reactions to the same procedure .
Hopefully won’t need a biopsy for many a year , but will stick to general .

that's a successful outcome for the 'big' biopsy. Hopefully that is you done for the foreseeable futureand the results are good.

[Gas1883]

westberks said:

that's a successful outcome for the 'big' biopsy. Hopefully that is you done for the foreseeable futureand the results are good.

Thankyou , yes I’m hoping so

[Gas1883]

The Gauge said:

I bet you are relived it's all done now Gas

I had to sit around for an hour or so till I could give a urine sample after my prostate biopsy. The guy kept coming up to me Avery 15 mons asking why I hadn't managed it yet. If you can't go then you can't go!

Had blood in my urine for the following week, and also in my ejaculate for a 2nd week which is alarming to see!

I’m hoping it’s all done , but I’m not having a lot of luck health wise so we will see , yes I struggled , a couple of drips is all I could manage for hours , thought I was going to have a night in hospital at one stage

[Dewi 2]

Ken Figenus said:

Anyway, just went to GP for a PSA test as I've had one before but GP wouldn't do it without a rectal examination - which took me aback more than expected actually. I'm sure I can come to terms with that and out of courtesy have a shower and have clean pants on before (yes Mum!) but he was unreassuring and saying stuff like 'its no worse than a colonoscopy'. I told him I have no reference point for that and that and I would rearrange (with a far better practioner) etc... He was pretty awful from start to finish really with no peoples skills or calm reassurance- known for it...

Anyway my question is, is there a better way as PSA is still a bit hit and miss and the finger technique seems a bit blunt and clumsy and not 360?. I have some health cover, sadly, as the NHS has taken out a few family members already with their delay, rationing and neglect...

Thanks for any advice as I'd rather keep an eye than cross my fingers!

Don't be too worried about the examination. I had three occasions with different nurses/consultants. Not uncomfortable. Think they can feel for prostate enlargement (common as we get older), what else I don't know.
The NHS sequence seems to be PSA first, which if that springs a warning (not a very reliable test), then an MRI with something (forget the word, but think it produces a clearer image.)

Benign enlargement seems to be much more likely circumstances than cancer. If applicable, don't have a catheter for too long, but to avoid a long wait, private seems necessary if surgery (TURP) is required. Think TURP cost is about £7,000, but n/a of course with health cover.

Edited by Dewi 2 on Sunday 11th February 11:11

[westberks]

was due a phone appointment this morning following a fresh MRI on boxing day.

whilst ironically sat in the A&E of the same hospital (broken nose playing footy on Sunday) had a call from my senior consultant. He was unaware of the telephone appointment due for today with a lower grade colleague and thought he ought to call me due to the detailed result.....

first of all the good news...... no signs of cancer; but tbh honest wasn't expecting that

then my question; how big has it got?

given that TURP is usually only done up to 100 grams and normal is 25-50; mine was 130 3 years ago. the current estimate is 210! No wonder I'm having bladder control and nigh time peeing issues. The worsening of symptoms wasn't just in my head!

so no amount of drugs will make much difference and I'm going to have to go down the surgical route; it's so large that this hospital don't even have the facilities to deal with it and I'm being refereed to another county.

been referred within NHS but as soon as I get the letter I'm contacting them to enquire about going private as i'm not waiting 2 years to get this dealt with. FML

[tr7v8]

westberks said:

given that TURP is usually only done up to 100 grams and normal is 25-50; mine was 130 3 years ago. the current estimate is 210! No wonder I'm having bladder control and nigh time peeing issues. The worsening of symptoms wasn't just in my head!

been referred within NHS but as soon as I get the letter I'm contacting them to enquire about going private as I'm not waiting 2 years to get this dealt with. FML

Mine was removed and was only 50G. This was private though & I had had 3 UTIs in around 3 months. And at time of meeting the Urologist was catheterised. Mine was removed via HELOT Helium Laser.

[westberks]

tr7v8 said:

westberks said:

given that TURP is usually only done up to 100 grams and normal is 25-50; mine was 130 3 years ago. the current estimate is 210! No wonder I'm having bladder control and nigh time peeing issues. The worsening of symptoms wasn't just in my head!

been referred within NHS but as soon as I get the letter I'm contacting them to enquire about going private as I'm not waiting 2 years to get this dealt with. FML

Mine was removed and was only 50G. This was private though & I had had 3 UTIs in around 3 months. And at time of meeting the Urologist was catheterised. Mine was removed via HELOT Helium Laser.

Laser is the method they are suggesting for me too. No UTI issues but all the other bladder issues including multiple night pees, urgency of need to pee.... etc etc

even a girl doing a bladder ultrasound commented on how big my prostate is, despite not being anything to do with her job!

Edited by westberks on Tuesday 13th February 14:21

[the-photographer]

westberks said:

was due a phone appointment this morning following a fresh MRI on boxing day.

whilst ironically sat in the A&E of the same hospital (broken nose playing footy on Sunday) had a call from my senior consultant. He was unaware of the telephone appointment due for today with a lower grade colleague and thought he ought to call me due to the detailed result.....

first of all the good news...... no signs of cancer; but tbh honest wasn't expecting that

then my question; how big has it got?

given that TURP is usually only done up to 100 grams and normal is 25-50; mine was 130 3 years ago. the current estimate is 210! No wonder I'm having bladder control and nigh time peeing issues. The worsening of symptoms wasn't just in my head!

so no amount of drugs will make much difference and I'm going to have to go down the surgical route; it's so large that this hospital don't even have the facilities to deal with it and I'm being refereed to another county.

been referred within NHS but as soon as I get the letter I'm contacting them to enquire about going private as i'm not waiting 2 years to get this dealt with. FML

Have a look at https://www.cuh.nhs.uk/patient-information/holmium...

[Gas1883]

westberks said:

was due a phone appointment this morning following a fresh MRI on boxing day.

whilst ironically sat in the A&E of the same hospital (broken nose playing footy on Sunday) had a call from my senior consultant. He was unaware of the telephone appointment due for today with a lower grade colleague and thought he ought to call me due to the detailed result.....

first of all the good news...... no signs of cancer; but tbh honest wasn't expecting that

then my question; how big has it got?

given that TURP is usually only done up to 100 grams and normal is 25-50; mine was 130 3 years ago. the current estimate is 210! No wonder I'm having bladder control and nigh time peeing issues. The worsening of symptoms wasn't just in my head!

so no amount of drugs will make much difference and I'm going to have to go down the surgical route; it's so large that this hospital don't even have the facilities to deal with it and I'm being refereed to another county.

been referred within NHS but as soon as I get the letter I'm contacting them to enquire about going private as i'm not waiting 2 years to get this dealt with. FML

I live in Lincolnshire , normally looked after by Lincoln , Boston & Grantham , my latest treatment ( different issue ) is at Leicester general hospital , it’s closer than Lincoln & is easier to get to, and is just as easy as boston.
Only hospitals I’ve turned down were Louth / Mansfield
Hope you get sorted

[westberks]

the-photographer said:

Have a look at https://www.cuh.nhs.uk/patient-information/holmium...

thanks for that; I've read up on these things already but always helpful to have another example and good for the group in general