6 month post op PSA + DRE today

I had my six month post op follow-up examination today.  I expected the PSA but also got a DRE! 

I told the urologist I thought a benefit of the prostatectomy was to never have another DRE.  Doctor said he would perform a DRE each six months.  Oh well.

I've gotten one each 3 months visit since surgery, plus my GP wants to take a feel every 6 months.... The Urologist tlad me he was checking for growth, or anything unusual that he can feel. He said to expect one the rest of my life, after having had PCa surgery. Oh, well

James, The doctor said he was checking to see if the prostate "grew a tail". I guess it's better they didn't tell me about the DRE before. I would have been dreading the appointment.

David, looks like your Dr. may be serious.

rob2, I noticed your signature. We have more in common than pc and gleason 7. I see you're an accountant. Me too, I'm a CPA

I dunno Rob...so far my uro hasn't indicated he will be doing the DRE...and to be truthful...I will not be disappointed if he never does one again either.

I've always been told that prostate surgery is your "get out of jail free" card for DREs. The first thing a PCa surgery friend told me was just carry your patho report to your GP every time you have a physical. They take one look at that and you are DRE-free.

My uro has never mentioned doing one post surgery.

But I am always struck by how different the info is that we receive from different doctors around the country.

kcragman

Another idea for why. The finger insertion is also part of the routine exam for colon cancer , ie looking for blood and getting a stool smear for the instant reaction test slide. Not necessarily a dre, but since they're there....... The DRE evidently isn't exclusive for prostate exams. There's other things , such as bowels, etc.

David, you know my love of links:

www.intelihealth.com/IH/ihtIH/WSIHW000/9339/23954.html

www.webmd.com/colorectal-cancer/digital-rectal-examination-dre

Here in Germany the very comprehensive health insurance system can lead to overservicing and the cultural inclination is to be very cautious. The standard post-op routine is 3 monthly PSAs and this includes not just a DRE but a very nasty ultrasound probe (think of the light saber from Star Wars) - which could be why I walk funny for a few hours afterwards. I get to see the pretty pictures on the screen, and the first time he did it he pointed out some tissue which he thought should have been removed in the surgery. When I asked him whether it was really necessary, he said he would stop if I really wanted him to, but he wants to monitor the tissue. Although I hate it, I figure I will live with anything which will detect a recurrence early.

Every 12 months I have the full battery of MRE, CAT, etc. and all the cancer screening tests. Ah, the joy of compulsory, government-regulated health insurance. But without it, I probably wouldn't have found PCa at 45 years of age and may not have have been around so long.