Biopsy: To do or not to do

[Guest guest]

After my personal doctor asked me if i would mind visiting a Urologist

as a follow-up from my latest PSA reading. Now my doctor is a personal

friend and i believe he wanted to really take care of my health i went

to the Urologist.

7 years ago my PSA was .91, last month November PSA was 2.01, within

the normal range for my age at 63. Have no unusual bathroom habits, not

getting up at night or hard time urinating. No acholol, non smoker,

weight avg for my age, good eating habits.

The PA for the doctor discussed and asked me questions pertaining to

prostate. She did a DRE which was fine she says. Then came the question

of whether i would consider having a biopsy done. Instant scare for me.

I said why, my numbers seem to be in the normal range for me and no

other problems. Well she says lets test again in three months and see

how it is then. So that is where i am. He is the only Urologist in our

city of 18,000 and the hospital wants to hire their own Urologist and

he is up in arms over it. I wonder.....

Thanks for listening, thought it unusual.

[Guest guest]

Guidlines vary by country. The USA usually recommends

a biopsy after PSA reaches 4.0, but there may be a

push to lower that number to 2.5 soon.

In my case I had a PSA of 2.2 (1 yr ago), then it

doubled to 4.2, this year, triggering my doctor to

send me out for biopsy, because 1) it doubled in 1 yr,

and 2) if went over 4.0

Dan

5 weeks after Protons at Loma .

--- vtman69cam wrote:

> After my personal doctor asked me if i would mind

> visiting a Urologist

> as a follow-up from my latest PSA reading. Now my

> doctor is a personal

> friend and i believe he wanted to really take care

> of my health i went

> to the Urologist.

> 7 years ago my PSA was .91, last month November PSA

> was 2.01, within

> the normal range for my age at 63. Have no unusual

> bathroom habits, not

> getting up at night or hard time urinating. No

> acholol, non smoker,

> weight avg for my age, good eating habits.

> The PA for the doctor discussed and asked me

> questions pertaining to

> prostate. She did a DRE which was fine she says.

> Then came the question

> of whether i would consider having a biopsy done.

> Instant scare for me.

> I said why, my numbers seem to be in the normal

> range for me and no

> other problems. Well she says lets test again in

> three months and see

> how it is then. So that is where i am. He is the

> only Urologist in our

> city of 18,000 and the hospital wants to hire their

> own Urologist and

> he is up in arms over it. I wonder.....

> Thanks for listening, thought it unusual.

>

>

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

If it were me I might wait the three months, particularly if all you've got is two data points. PSA can elevate as a result of a number of stimuli, including recent sex or other physical activity. Three months isn't going to kill you, and a " clean " biopsy won't PROVE that you don't have cancer anyway -- just that they didn't find any.

However, if you've had multiple PSA tests and the level has been rising steadily, that might be a different story.A biopsy won't kill you either, of course, and heavy sedation may be available if you ask your urologist, so it needn't hurt a bit. But such procedures admittedly always carry some risk, discomfort, and expense. Seems to me you could either have it now as recommended, or wait a bit and retest.

Best wishes,TomFee: 2 cents -- /} @#####{ ]::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::> \}

http://tomrue.net http://vitruvian.tomrue.net

[Guest guest]

I'd suggest a level two PSA test if nothing else. I think this is a

more accurate test and gives a bit more info. And keep in mind that

the blood reading can vary from time to time depending on activity

that affects the prostate. That biopsy is no fun, but if it's

necessary, that's it. And I'll also say that if you aren't completely

satisfied with any aspect of your treatment, find another hospital and

doctor pretty quick. This is major stuff here, you life - and your

quality of life - are at stake.

[Guest guest]

To my mind one isolated normal PSA and a clear DRE is nowhere near enough data to justify a biopsy. Before doing anything at all I would want PSAs annually or other regular interval to get the velocity. I share your suspicions.

All IMHO

Biopsy: To do or not to do

After my personal doctor asked me if i would mind visiting a Urologistas a follow-up from my latest PSA reading. Now my doctor is a personal friend and i believe he wanted to really take care of my health i went to the Urologist.7 years ago my PSA was .91, last month November PSA was 2.01, within the normal range for my age at 63. Have no unusual bathroom habits, not getting up at night or hard time urinating. No acholol, non smoker, weight avg for my age, good eating habits.The PA for the doctor discussed and asked me questions pertaining to prostate. She did a DRE which was fine she says. Then came the question of whether i would consider having a biopsy done. Instant scare for me.I said why, my numbers seem to be in the normal range for me and no other problems. Well she says lets test again in three months and see how it is then. So that is where i am. He is the only Urologist in our city of 18,000 and the hospital wants to hire their own Urologist and he is up in arms over it. I wonder.....Thanks for listening, thought it unusual.

[Guest guest]

Did you have any tests in the past 7years? If so, what were the results? If not, it seems to me that the urologist has no basis for thinking that you need a biopsy especially since you have no symptoms. Generally further testing should be considered IF you see a sharp rise (or doubling) of your PSA or as I said you have symptoms. It doesn't appear that you have either. If it were me I would wait the 3 months and let them retest. Then I would go out on my own for a second opinion. Most of all I would take control of the situation from here on out. And ask questions of this group. Best of luck to you!Mick vtman69cam wrote: After my personal doctor asked me if i would mind visiting a Urologist as a follow-up from my latest PSA reading. Now my doctor is a personal friend and i believe he wanted to really take care of my health i went to the Urologist. 7 years ago my PSA was .91, last month November PSA was 2.01, within the normal range for my age at 63. Have no unusual bathroom habits, not getting up at night or hard time urinating. No acholol, non smoker, weight avg for my age, good eating habits. The PA for the doctor discussed and asked me questions pertaining to prostate. She did a DRE which was fine she says. Then came the question of whether i would consider having a biopsy

done. Instant scare for me. I said why, my numbers seem to be in the normal range for me and no other problems. Well she says lets test again in three months and see how it is then. So that is where i am. He is the only Urologist in our city of 18,000 and the hospital wants to hire their own Urologist and he is up in arms over it. I wonder..... Thanks for listening, thought it unusual. God rewards those that keep on keeping on. Stay positive. Think positive. Pray positive. And talk positive. __________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

My Friend,

I would be very leery of getting a biopsy if you do not need it. Your

numbers sound quite low and not much to stress about. In 2000 my PSA was 5.0

and I did nothing. Now in 2006 .. 8.2 and I got a biopsy. Cancer found in 15

% Etc,etc. That was 6 weeks ago. My prostrate still aches considerably. I

have fear that the blasting around with the needel spread the cancer, caused

minor inflamation, and generally made more hash out of the situation. Now I

look for the proper surgon to go the whole AMA way and get everything

chopped out (RP). Not looking forward to that.

If I was qualified to give advice .. I'd say eat a lot of tomato paste, a

pomagranate every day, min 800 mg of Vitamine D and get re-tested every 3 to

6 months. If there is no running increase in the number, don't mess with

what is not broken.

Good luck. charlie

>

>Reply-To: ProstateCancerSupport

>To: ProstateCancerSupport

>Subject: Biopsy: To do or not to do

>Date: Fri, 29 Dec 2006 00:27:41 -0000

>

>After my personal doctor asked me if i would mind visiting a Urologist

>as a follow-up from my latest PSA reading. Now my doctor is a personal

>friend and i believe he wanted to really take care of my health i went

>to the Urologist.

>7 years ago my PSA was .91, last month November PSA was 2.01, within

>the normal range for my age at 63. Have no unusual bathroom habits, not

>getting up at night or hard time urinating. No acholol, non smoker,

>weight avg for my age, good eating habits.

>The PA for the doctor discussed and asked me questions pertaining to

>prostate. She did a DRE which was fine she says. Then came the question

>of whether i would consider having a biopsy done. Instant scare for me.

>I said why, my numbers seem to be in the normal range for me and no

>other problems. Well she says lets test again in three months and see

>how it is then. So that is where i am. He is the only Urologist in our

>city of 18,000 and the hospital wants to hire their own Urologist and

>he is up in arms over it. I wonder.....

>Thanks for listening, thought it unusual.

>

>

>

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