Totally New Guy - Biopsy or MRI

ms,

I'm glad things are moving along and that you are consolidating on your choice for Cyberknife.

My Gleason was a 6 (on the cores that were positive), and my volume was limited, and both my surgeon and radiation oncologist told me that a bone scan would be a waste of  time and money, given my particulars.  Because I chose surgery, I received no MRI either, and the patholigist's report proved that there had been no need for that either. 

"Pain," except in the UT, is virtually never encountered in PCa patients, unless they are highly involved with metastatic growth. My point is that the absence of pain, clinically, is not indicative of much in early-stage PCa.

You have studied this a lot. Combined with your reasonable and calm attitude, you should be PCa-free soon, for life.

max

Max Former Hodgkins Stage 3 said:

Same

ms,

I'm glad things are moving along and that you are consolidating on your choice for Cyberknife.

My Gleason was a 6 (on the cores that were positive), and my volume was limited, and both my surgeon and radiation oncologist told me that a bone scan would be a waste of  time and money, given my particulars.  Because I chose surgery, I received no MRI either, and the patholigist's report proved that there had been no need for that either. 

"Pain," except in the UT, is virtually never encountered in PCa patients, unless they are highly involved with metastatic growth. My point is that the absence of pain, clinically, is not indicative of much in early-stage PCa.

You have studied this a lot. Combined with your reasonable and calm attitude, you should be PCa-free soon, for life.

max

Max,

By the way, I'm glad that that you are having zero PSAs, and everything went well with the surgery that you had, however, pllease note that a T3 MRI would have been appropriate for you before receiving sugery. The MRI is helpful in making the "best" decision.  

Thanks for all the wonderful posts that you give to this forum.

MS,

I agree with your RO and the survivours above. Your data doesn't lead to think that you got PCa in bone. Most probably a bone scan this time would not identify lesions that could relate to cancer. However, any protuberance has higher probability of being identified when radiologists compare images with previous ones. A bone scan done now may signify little in your present diagnosis but it would be of great value in future occurrences, if any. Surely, the 3T MRI would be sufficient in such future image comparison of the pelvic area. Bone scans cover the whole body bones (including joints and diagnosis of arthritis). Substitutes are PET and CT scan (X-rays).

I would add, that many of us (young fellas above the 65) think being fit, symptom less, etc, and become surprised when found with cases of bone loss (osteopenia/osteoporosis), cardiovascular deficiencies, liver and kidney impairments, etc. I think that PCa patients should undertake a series of cautionary tests and exams to ascertain of ones real health status in all fronts. In my case along the years with PCa, I was found with osteopenia, high blood pressure and most recently renal deficiency (stage 3). All these may interfere with PCa care. Many prefer to enjoy life and treat when the problem arises. I make part of that "silly group" that prefer to know in advance what to expect.

Best,

VG

Just found this cancer online support group and let me introduce myself. My first name is Larry, age 70, nad I was diagnosed with prostate cancer last August nad had robotic surgry on November 14, 2016. I was informed I had positive margins and would be scheduled for my PSA and the results were shared this week. Hoping for a "non-dectectable" but it was 0.12. My Surgeon/Urologist has scheduled a MRI and PET bone scan for next week. During the review of my PSA he did mention I may need hormone and radiation treatment. Not a fan of the proposed hormone treatment for the adverse side effects. May ask the doctor to conduct another PSA before rushing in for additional treatment but will wait for scan results. Anyone had elevated PSA similar after surgery and what option did you decide upon.

Larry

San Diego

101st Airborne Vietnam Veteran

I would suggest you to start your own thread as this post may get lost in the middle. In any case, after failed surgery patients look for salvage treatments that typically involve radiation administered alone or in a combination of radiation plus hormonal. It all depends on one's case and status. Please read this link;

https://csn.cancer.org/comment/1414101#comment-1414101

Best wishes and luck.

VG 

mstoriop said:

CK versus True Beam

Partially answered my own question for anyone searching similar.  Should have known I'd find good info right here.

https://csn.cancer.org/node/299641

 

The thread that mstoriop mentioned does present a good discussion of two instruments that can be used to deliver SBRT. The point that I want to make is that what is most important is the experience of the team associated with the 'machine', not the 'machine' itself.

mstoriop said:

Update

I hesitate to add many posts here as I have not had any treatments yet but I do hope this thread helps other new guys in their particular thought processes.  I did have the 3T MRI done and to the extent of it's precision have no evidence of lesion outside of the capsule and no evidence of lymph enlargement or involvement so reasonably good news.  As mentioned in so many posts here I heartily agree that second biopsy opinions and these types of tests should be done as part of your due diligence.  I have met with a total of 5 different doctors at four seperate hospitals, 2 Urologists and 3 RO's.  In my case all five were extremely unbiased and took great effort to explain all treatments and their effects.  One RO just about spent more time talking about surgery than his own specialty. It is time consuming but well worth it to get multiple answers to the same questions.  I am very fortunate to have two Cyberknife facilities of equal quality close to where I live.  Surgery for me was off the table from the get go unless absolutely warranted.  For me it came down to learning as much as I could about all of the radiation alternatives and comparing them to CK, which I had and still do have my bias to.  I have chosen CK and the facility.  Basic planning is underway but actual schedule of treatment not cut in stone yet and may be in mid June.  Thanks to everyone who has helped me to date.  If anyone who reads this feels I can help I most assuredly will.  Cheers.    

I obviously support your decision because it was the same as mine. 

Glad that you came to that choice in your own way.  I hope that the outcome for you is as good as it was for me and others on this forum.  Keep us informed about your progress. 

Good luck!