Options for Prostate Cancer Diagnosis

Dear  Brian

Thank you for posting your message on our online community. I am sorry to read of the anxious time you are going through.

I do hope you will hear from other gentlemen regarding their thoughts and experiences. We can also arrange for you to speak to one of our trained volunteers who have had prostate cancer through our Peer to Peer programme.

We would recommend you discuss your results and your options regarding a second opinion with your GP. If you would like to speak to a cancer nurse here on our support line also you can do so by phoning us at 1800 200 700. We are here Mon-Fri 9-5pm and would very much like to support you at this time.

I do hope we will hear from you

Kind regards

Cancer Nurse

Thank you for your response and advice. I attended my GP who was most helpful and referred me to two other consultants who are experts in their field of prostate cancer treatment. He sent the referral letters to the said consultants by email so I hope to receive an early response. He advised me that the consultants, when reviewing my case, will request the biopsy report and MRI report from the hospital where these procedures were carried out.

Hi Brian

Sorry to hear your diagnosis. I had an almost identical diagnosis Jan 2022 and was lucky to be referred to a hospital offering 3 treatments. I had also looked at the Nanoknife treatment and like you was informed by my urologist that if I went down that route I could not then have a prostatectomy (he is a robotic surgeon). To his credit he arranged for me to meet two other specialist offering Radio Therapy and Brachytherapy so I had all the information and could make the choice I taught suited me. I chose Brachytherapy which was carried out in March 2022.
I had covid a couple of weeks before my treatment so I am unsure if the tiredness was from the treatment or the after effects of covid or both. I got covid again in Dec (nothing to do with the treatment just bad luck) I also continued to take tamsulosin for longer than I should probably have which I think might have delayed my recovery. If possible talk to others who have had all of the treatment before you make your decision. My brothers, brother-in-law had a prostatectomy and that will be his route if he moves beyond stage 1. My only regret is I think I should have spoken to others who had the same treatment to see if what I was going through was normal ( everyone’s experience is different we saw that during my wife’s treatment). The one piece of advice I can give you is don’t expect to be back to normal in a couple of weeks but things do get back to normal. If you are based in Dublin ask the nurse if she can arrange for you to meet and talk to someone in the ARC a family friend spoke very positive of his experience with them. If you have any questions you think I might be able to help you with feel free to ask.
One other last thing some people who have Brachytherapy experience PSA bounce which can cause your numbers to start to rise again for up to two years post treatment, because this is a known occurrence Oncologist’s do not worry it just means you have to wait a little longer before you get the all clear.
Best of luck with whichever route you take.

Hi Brian,
We have just read your post and would like to share ours story so far. We were diagnosed earlier this year and with simular results PSA 7.7 glesson (3+4) on the right side of prostate age 55. We meet our consultant and he said we could do AS for the moment but had OPTIONS and referred us to see a surgeon (removal)and radiation oncologist (brachytherapy). We did some research and wanted to view HIFU. So we sent our MRI results & CD and biopsy report to Prof Mark Emberton in the UK.
We had a zoom call with him last sat and he reviewed our MRI and has seen the right hand lesion but also found 2 lesions on the left which he is not sure were reported. And is pretty sure there may be 'C' there too. But would need to do a better MRI & biopsy which he has offered (next week) but will delay things. So we are now considering getting the MRI done to confirm there are more lesions on the left. But not going ahead with Biopsy because if there are more then we will not be suitable for HIFU or NANO and will be going for brachytherapy. Surgery isn't something we want.

Prof Emberton told us that had we just the one lesion on the right hand side then we would have been suitable candidate for HiFU/Nano which was our first choice of treatment.

We wish you well on your journey and hope all goes well.

Joe

Brian just to add to my story above we requested our MRI & biopsy results to be email to us and a copy of our MRI (CD) to be sent to us which we forward on to Prof Mark Emberton ourselves to be reviewed and then asked our consultant if he would do a referral letter on our behalf which he did and sent us a copy too.
I also email the hospital and request a copy of our medical files just for our own records.

Joe

Hi Brian

I found your post of great interest even though I am not diagnosed with prostrate cancer. Its been a learning curve for me.

There’s so many different types of cancer, this website provides excellent advice and support. I don’t feel I’m alone anymore. I’ve linked up with a fantastic support group.
Best regards
Richard

Hi Brian
Just wondering how your journey is going? It's Joe back with a update. I went to London (King Edwards)and had another MRI. Results came back with one tumour on RHS, clear on the left. Had a zoom call from Prof M Emberton and he said I am suitable for Nanoknife. So I going for this treatment in a few weeks.
From Joe

Prostate cancer diagnosis typically involves a combination of medical history review, physical examination, and various tests. Here are some common options for prostate cancer diagnosis:

Digital Rectal Exam (DRE): During a DRE, a healthcare provider inserts a gloved, lubricated finger into the rectum to feel for any abnormalities in the prostate gland, such as lumps or hard areas.

Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) Test: This blood test measures the level of PSA, a protein produced by the prostate gland, in the blood. Elevated PSA levels can be an indicator of prostate conditions, including cancer. However, other non-cancerous conditions can also cause elevated PSA levels.

Prostate Biopsy: If the results of a DRE or PSA test raise concerns, a prostate biopsy may be recommended. During a biopsy, small tissue samples are taken from the prostate gland using a thin needle. These samples are then examined under a microscope to check for the presence of cancerous cells.

Transrectal Ultrasound (TRUS): This imaging test uses sound waves to create an image of the prostate gland. It is often used in conjunction with a prostate biopsy to guide the placement of the biopsy needle.

Multiparametric Magnetic Resonance Imaging (mpMRI): This imaging technique provides detailed images of the prostate and can help identify suspicious areas that may require further investigation, such as a biopsy.

CT Scan and Bone Scan: In cases where prostate cancer has been diagnosed, these imaging tests may be used to determine if the cancer has spread to other parts of the body, such as the bones.

Genomic Testing: Some advanced diagnostic tests analyze the genetic characteristics of the prostate cancer cells. These tests can provide information about the aggressiveness of the cancer and may help guide treatment decisions.

It's important to note that the decision to undergo prostate cancer screening and the choice of diagnostic tests should be made in consultation with a healthcare professional visit https://chinnurology.com/. The benefits and risks of screening and diagnostic procedures should be discussed based on individual risk factors, age, and overall health. Early detection can be important for effective treatment, but not all prostate cancers require immediate intervention.