Prostate cancer
Discussion
ClaphamGT3 said:
MRI results today. Prostate enlarged but no worrying signs so discharged with a recommendation to have 6 monthly PSA tests from here on in.
The MRI did also show up a cyst on the pancreas which will now need investigation....
A good result on the prostate, and welcome to the 'cyst on the pancreas' club. When I was investigated for bladder issues at the urologist and given the all clear the next paragraph informed me about a cyst on the pancreas found when they did the MRI scan and I was referred to the Gastroenterology Dept. This was 5yrs ago and since then get an annual MRI to monitor it. Something called a side branch IPMN (11mm size) in the tail of the pancreas. The MRI did also show up a cyst on the pancreas which will now need investigation....
According to the John Hopkins Institute they are 'common'. Don't be like me and get wrapped around the axle reading everything online thinking worse case scenarios. This site gives you some info but you'll need to know what yours is first. My take has been at least I'm getting an MRI every year so it's a great health check to spot anything early. My active 'surveillance' was intended for 5yrs if it remains unchanged, which fortunately so far it has. I had my annual MRI a few months back, but as I've found the Consultant letter can and has taken a several months before it reaches me.
Had my first operation yesterday at reading hospital. a PAE to block the arteries supplying the prostate to help reduce it naturally.
I was awake through the whole process; a first for me in any shape or form and found it part fascinating and part terrifying. But it certainly reaffirmed my belief in the NHS, watching a team of 7-8 people working on little Westberks, and then the general care of all the other staff that i interacted with throughout the day.
all appears to have gone well and there is only a band aid size plaster on the groin to give any visible sign of what went on.
they would have gone through the wrist (which seems counter intuitive given where they were working) as that can give a clearer run to the prostate. However i'm 6'5" and they simply didn't want to go that distance! The surgeon had warned that it may be a 2 incision job but he managed to get to both sides from 1.
the whole thing took about 1hr 20 minutes, then back to recovery for 4 hours lying flat. Home in time to watch the end of the 5pm euro games. MRI in 3 months to see how successful its been and then possibly a HOLEP if it's needed to finish the job off
I was awake through the whole process; a first for me in any shape or form and found it part fascinating and part terrifying. But it certainly reaffirmed my belief in the NHS, watching a team of 7-8 people working on little Westberks, and then the general care of all the other staff that i interacted with throughout the day.
all appears to have gone well and there is only a band aid size plaster on the groin to give any visible sign of what went on.
they would have gone through the wrist (which seems counter intuitive given where they were working) as that can give a clearer run to the prostate. However i'm 6'5" and they simply didn't want to go that distance! The surgeon had warned that it may be a 2 incision job but he managed to get to both sides from 1.
the whole thing took about 1hr 20 minutes, then back to recovery for 4 hours lying flat. Home in time to watch the end of the 5pm euro games. MRI in 3 months to see how successful its been and then possibly a HOLEP if it's needed to finish the job off
They've been monitoring my PSA for the last 18 months and the last reading (5.5) had gone up enough to warrant further investigation. I had an MRI scan last year and although they managed to miss my vein and inject the die stuff right into my arm, they gave me the all clear.
This time the MRI showed some changes so I'm off for a biopsy next week.
I've been trying to learn as much as I can now, and found this thread. I'm working my way through from the start and was going to wait until I'd caught up before posting this but there's so much info in here it'll take too long!
All I wanted to say was a big thank everyone who's contributed here.
It's really great to see such support, openness and honesty in here, and reading about the good news as well as the tough stuff. It's incredibly helpful to see what might be to come, what questions I should be asking, and to get some insight into what it feels like when people are poking sharp things into my darkest regions.
This kind of thread is PH at its best.
This time the MRI showed some changes so I'm off for a biopsy next week.
I've been trying to learn as much as I can now, and found this thread. I'm working my way through from the start and was going to wait until I'd caught up before posting this but there's so much info in here it'll take too long!
All I wanted to say was a big thank everyone who's contributed here.
It's really great to see such support, openness and honesty in here, and reading about the good news as well as the tough stuff. It's incredibly helpful to see what might be to come, what questions I should be asking, and to get some insight into what it feels like when people are poking sharp things into my darkest regions.
This kind of thread is PH at its best.
durbster said:
This time the MRI showed some changes so I'm off for a biopsy next week.
Penrhyn said:
I'm having my biopsy this Saturday.
If I can put your minds at rest, I had a prostate biopsy last year and whilst I was very apprehensive in the weeks leading up tp it, the actual procedure was a bit of a non event, with no pain at all and the only slight suffering was to my dignity having to lay on my side with my bare arse to the doctor performing the procedure. It consisted of a local anaesthetic, the needle I think was inserted in the perineum, no pain at all. Then an ultrasound was inserted in my rectum so the guy could see what he was doing on a screen, again no pain, and then another needle for the biopsy itself. The biopsy consisted of 12 samples taken one after the other. I'm not sure if this was done via the first needle, or if 12 x separate needles were used. The only sensation I could feel was similar to flicking yourself with your finger, nothing more than that. This part of the procedure took no longer than a minute, and then it was all done.
I had some blood in my urine for a few days after, just at the start of any pee, and had blood in my semen for about 2 weeks. Quite strange ejaculating what looks like pure blood, it almost put me off having hand shandy!!
I was told I'd receive a phone call within a few days if it was bad news, or a letter within 3 weeks if it was all clear. I never received either and had to keep chasing the result with the Urology dept ad eventually went back there in person and they printed off the 'all clear' letter, to my relief.
I remember at the time realising i'd been nervous for no reason. I'm now waiting for this years PSA result and if I have to have another biopsy I'd do it without a blink of an eye.
Edited by The Gauge on Friday 28th June 00:11
Penrhyn said:
The Gauge
Thanks appreciated.
with the biopsy it was pretty much as described by The Gauge. The only addition I had was when I went to clean up after they'd finished; I had passed some blood through my little fella that I wasn't expecting as it hadn't been mentioned.Thanks appreciated.
you may not have any and it's not a bad sign as I was cancer free, just a very big prostate and slightly disconcerting to find it.
good luck with it and the subsequent results
durbster said:
They've been monitoring my PSA for the last 18 months and the last reading (5.5) had gone up enough to warrant further investigation. I had an MRI scan last year and although they managed to miss my vein and inject the die stuff right into my arm, they gave me the all clear.
This time the MRI showed some changes so I'm off for a biopsy next week.
I've been trying to learn as much as I can now, and found this thread. I'm working my way through from the start and was going to wait until I'd caught up before posting this but there's so much info in here it'll take too long!
All I wanted to say was a big thank everyone who's contributed here.
It's really great to see such support, openness and honesty in here, and reading about the good news as well as the tough stuff. It's incredibly helpful to see what might be to come, what questions I should be asking, and to get some insight into what it feels like when people are poking sharp things into my darkest regions.
This kind of thread is PH at its best.
I had a mri scan once that showed a change in the lump / nodule on my prostrate , I then had a biopsy that showed no change , no explanation , so I’d wait and see what biopsy shows This time the MRI showed some changes so I'm off for a biopsy next week.
I've been trying to learn as much as I can now, and found this thread. I'm working my way through from the start and was going to wait until I'd caught up before posting this but there's so much info in here it'll take too long!
All I wanted to say was a big thank everyone who's contributed here.
It's really great to see such support, openness and honesty in here, and reading about the good news as well as the tough stuff. It's incredibly helpful to see what might be to come, what questions I should be asking, and to get some insight into what it feels like when people are poking sharp things into my darkest regions.
This kind of thread is PH at its best.
I’ve also had psa as high as 20 , mine is slowly moving up after dropping back down , but latest biopsy shows no sign of change in lump / nodule / less ion from 4 yrs ago .
9am appointment at the hospital on time..
Checked my urine and blood pressure all within bounds.
Anyways in there all explained lovely nurses and my Consultant Donev as usual smiling happy chap, that helps a lot.
I was a bit uncomfortable, though the nurses kept me talking so l didn't notice much of it tbh, which is great.
Mr Donev told me had sampled the spot he was interested in, just a waiting game for the results.
Was on the road at 11:45
Worst thing for me was the journey home, really needed to pee, thankfully l got home leak free.
Durbster
Good luck for tomorrow.
Checked my urine and blood pressure all within bounds.
Anyways in there all explained lovely nurses and my Consultant Donev as usual smiling happy chap, that helps a lot.
I was a bit uncomfortable, though the nurses kept me talking so l didn't notice much of it tbh, which is great.
Mr Donev told me had sampled the spot he was interested in, just a waiting game for the results.
Was on the road at 11:45
Worst thing for me was the journey home, really needed to pee, thankfully l got home leak free.
Durbster
Good luck for tomorrow.
Edited by Penrhyn on Sunday 30th June 09:11
Finally got to the bottom of difficulty passing water , firstly an ultrasound scan showed I am not fully emptying my bladder also with a slooow flow ,caused by the prostate being enlarged and pressing on the urethra, even though I have been prescribed Tamsulosin which was to reduce its size this has not happened , and was finally confirmed by a cystoscopy , where the prostate could clearly been seen to press on the urethra .The consultant is calling me in a couple of weeks to discuss my options , one being surgery , at my age (78) I have some deep thinking about this.
24 hrs on still stinging a bit when taking a leak , but each time stinging a bit less
24 hrs on still stinging a bit when taking a leak , but each time stinging a bit less
Rod, your story takes me back somewhat. My problems started with being unable to pee at all! Emergency admission to Urology and found myself catheterised, with a PSA of 80 and feeling very sorry for myself.
At that time I was already hovering around the 'three score and ten' mark. My Consultant wasn't in favour of surgical intervention and I opted for Radiotherapy followed by a jabs and tabs regime. Three years on, I am told that things are as good as they could be. Disease under control, PSA zero etc.
Just a single Tamsilosin on the morning menu.
Every case is different, I know, but for me it is so far, so good.
Keep positive mate and let us know how you get on.
At that time I was already hovering around the 'three score and ten' mark. My Consultant wasn't in favour of surgical intervention and I opted for Radiotherapy followed by a jabs and tabs regime. Three years on, I am told that things are as good as they could be. Disease under control, PSA zero etc.
Just a single Tamsilosin on the morning menu.
Every case is different, I know, but for me it is so far, so good.
Keep positive mate and let us know how you get on.
That was my final radiotherapy session today. 20 in total.
Few side effects apart from loose bowels from the beginning and later on a feeling of cystitis with some extreme occasional urgency! It was difficult holding it in a couple of times on the radiotherapy table, but fortunately I didn't disgrace myself.
I see the consultant in 6 to 8 weeks with a PSA test a week prior.
My prostate has been fried but hopefully the cancer cells have been fried considerably more.
Few side effects apart from loose bowels from the beginning and later on a feeling of cystitis with some extreme occasional urgency! It was difficult holding it in a couple of times on the radiotherapy table, but fortunately I didn't disgrace myself.
I see the consultant in 6 to 8 weeks with a PSA test a week prior.
My prostate has been fried but hopefully the cancer cells have been fried considerably more.
BoomerPride said:
That was my final radiotherapy session today. 20 in total.
Few side effects apart from loose bowels from the beginning and later on a feeling of cystitis with some extreme occasional urgency! It was difficult holding it in a couple of times on the radiotherapy table, but fortunately I didn't disgrace myself.
I see the consultant in 6 to 8 weeks with a PSA test a week prior.
My prostate has been fried but hopefully the cancer cells have been fried considerably more.
well done on getting through that and fingers crossed for positive follow up resultsFew side effects apart from loose bowels from the beginning and later on a feeling of cystitis with some extreme occasional urgency! It was difficult holding it in a couple of times on the radiotherapy table, but fortunately I didn't disgrace myself.
I see the consultant in 6 to 8 weeks with a PSA test a week prior.
My prostate has been fried but hopefully the cancer cells have been fried considerably more.
BoomerPride said:
That was my final radiotherapy session today. 20 in total.
Few side effects apart from loose bowels from the beginning and later on a feeling of cystitis with some extreme occasional urgency! It was difficult holding it in a couple of times on the radiotherapy table, but fortunately I didn't disgrace myself.
I see the consultant in 6 to 8 weeks with a PSA test a week prior.
My prostate has been fried but hopefully the cancer cells have been fried considerably more.
Just be warned the the side effects get worse for a few days. My nadir was about 10 days post-radiotherapy. My recovery from that point was not linear - but more good days than bad days. Byt the 6 week review with the consultant, I was 100%.Few side effects apart from loose bowels from the beginning and later on a feeling of cystitis with some extreme occasional urgency! It was difficult holding it in a couple of times on the radiotherapy table, but fortunately I didn't disgrace myself.
I see the consultant in 6 to 8 weeks with a PSA test a week prior.
My prostate has been fried but hopefully the cancer cells have been fried considerably more.
Got the results of my pancreas MRI today. A small (6mm) benign cyst in the neck of the pancreas. Gastroenterologist confident it's nothing to worry about. Wants to do an MRI at 6 months then annually for five years 'just to make sure it's behaving itself'
Feeling like I've dodged a couple of bullets in the last 6 weeks. Good luck to all those going through diagnosis and treatment
Feeling like I've dodged a couple of bullets in the last 6 weeks. Good luck to all those going through diagnosis and treatment
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