Advice needed

We understand your worries; they are natural. But so far nothing has been identified to prove he has cancer. Yes, his PSA is a bit high for his age but he also has an enlarged prostate. Please try to enjoy the upcoming holidays.

With respect to MRIs, there are open MRI instruments. AI tells me that they can be used for prostate cancer imaging, but that they do not provide the same level of detail as a traditional MRI.

With respect to biopsies, the transperineal one is preferred nowadays. There is ample justification for this in some recent threads and, more importantly, the medical literature.

The normal biopsy is 12 samples. Not sure why his would be 10. Might as well follow the norm as long as you are going through the trouble.

It's not MRI or biopsy, it is biopsy steered by a prior MRI or a biopsy going in blind. I had an MRI first, and in my biopsy they did the standard sampling (12) and then 3 to an identified lesion. Only the lesion showed cancer. Without the MRI I would have thought I was free and clear. Tell him to take more valium. :)

I also had urinary problems, which had nothing to do with prostate cancer. That's probably his problem too. A large prostate will lead to urinary problems.

It's nerve wracking waiting to find out results, feeling for you and your husband. Sending strength!

First, let me say I'm proponent of MRI before biopsy. Be aware that it's not a given that you'll see a lesion if you have cancer. My first MRI was clean. Followed up with blind biopsy that found cancer. So, if MRI is not feasible for some reason, still get biopsy. Not seeing a lesion and not finding cancer in biopsy doesn't mean you do Not have cancer. MRI is an indication and biopsy confirms you do have PCa if positive. If mri and biopsy are negative, continue monitoring PSA. If it continues increasing recheck for PCa. It's increasing PSA that warrants concern.

Wifesupport1, so the DRE did not find any lumps, bumps or areas of concern. That's good. The problems you describe can all be from BPH and not necessarily linked to cancer. PSA is not a measure of cancer, it's a measure of the amount of prostate tissue in your body. BPH can elevate PSA as well as infection, inflammation, or even riding a bicycle. It's a rapid increase in PSA that is an indicator of possible cancer. So I wouldn't assume the worst until you are further down the road.

Also let your husband know that the biopsy, while a little uncomfortable isn’t painful at all. I had one at a surgical center where I was put to sleep and another at a Urorlogist office with no anesthesia. The biopsy procedure itself is nothing to be scared of. There will likely be a small about of blood on toilet paper the first time and there will be a small amount of blood in urine for the first couple days but all of that disappears quickly.

Good luck to you guys!

First piece of advice…DON'T PANIC. Yes, that's easy for me to say but bear with me. I was diagnosed 15+ years ago at age 55 when they still did biopsies blindly with no prior mri. My psa was 20.4 with a gleason of 3+4. Cancer was found in both sides, I had capsule penetration in 2 places, prostate was more than 50% cancerous and I'M STILL HERE at age 70. So while I know how scary cancer is, don't get ahead of the process. This is very survivable.

Biopsies are negative more often than not so let the process play out. IF, and that's a huge IF, the biopsy comes back positive, you've caught it in early stages where there are many treatment options that will work. The hardest job is deciding on one. :)

I will wish your husband and you the best. If the worst case comes to pass and he is diagnosed with PCa, please come back to this forum and we will all be glad to share stories of our treatment experiences to help you decide.

sounds like me i was 51 and NEVER offered an MRI. I wish I was. They did three biopsies on me and no MRI. They do have bigger MRI beds now so it’s not so close to your face. You should ask your hospital if they have them also if your husband decides to do the biopsy 10 samples is not enough hear me out 10 samples is not enough, they could easily miss it. This is why I use an MRI guided biopsy. they going to use the sonogram It doesn’t show anything. It just shows that they’re poking in different areas …its up to you. That’s what happened to me. The first time he only took six second time he took eight and then the third time they took 12 and found cnacer the last time the 4th one they knew I had cancer. They knew it because I had a reoccurrence and they took 22 samples if you’re going to go through this believe me , you need to take as many samples as possible I would not let them only take 10 no way no how that is not enough

I wish your husband the very best. I agree with a lot of the other people the MRI is much more definitive and can guide the biopsy. If they find something they can direct the biopsy.
If I recall my face was partially out during the MRI. Depends on the machine I guess.
It is pretty hard to avoid the tubes because if the biopsy is positive a PSMA pet scan would be in the future.

It looks like rising, but it is not a super-strong signal of it. Similar to my PSA tests prior to my biopsy.

A useful data point he will get out of the biopsy of the size of his prostate. Bigger ones make more PSA.

Tell him to enjoy the MRI, thanks to the drugs!