Has this happened to you?

Ok I’m new to this, and would like to know what direction I’m heading, and what to expect.  I’m not looking for an “absolute” answer, just what direction I’m going.

 

My PSA numbers are rising, first biopsy turned out negative, second one found abnormal cells, but the doctor would not call them cancer.  My doctor has ordered more PSA screenings and says more biopsies will be needed.  So my question is, has anyone had this happen or something similar and how did it turn out?  Cancer, or No-Cancer?

Happens all the time, Doesn't mean you don,t have cancer and doesn't mean you do have cancer . What it does mean IMO is that if they ever do find cancer it is " probably" low volume and an early catch, which is a good thing if you do have cancer . Share age, psa and stats if and when you can for some of the big guns here
to help further

Other things to consider: get a copy of that pathology report, demand it from your doc, read it and study it, whom did the pathology (average guy or top experts?). You could have it reviewed, HGPIN is a precancerous condition and taken seriously...it might even be a Gleason 6 by someone else's review, probably unlikely, but no warranties in PCa (I don't know...blank happens in PCa).

You could have missed biopsy areas, that has happened...the definity of this is perplexing. Other tests can be done to assess such things but only to some degree. You could later end up having color doppler ultrasound guided biopsies, they can see blood flow areas that are usually suspecious for PCa activity and make sure biopsies are done on those. Just info and real world of PCa.....seen all kinds of things happen to patients over the years. John T herein has a journery with PCa...that is common enough, even though seems like a rarity in detection of PCa, via some uro-docs...hopefully they are getting better educations these days.

Post Edited (zufus) : 5/18/2011 9:43:14 AM (GMT-6)

Might ask about a saturation or mapping biopsy as well. More cores -- more chance of finding cancer if it is there. I am not suggesting you have this -- I am not qualified to make such a suggestion -- but you could discuss with your doc -- in addition to the idea of color doppler ultrasound, which Zufus mentioned. Best wishes, Medved

You might also want to get a second opinion from Johns Hopkins at some point. They have a program where you could send in your slides. Check the FAQ page and also with your insurance.

http://pathology.jhu.edu/department/services/secondopinion.cfm

 

It happened to me 13 biopsies over 10 years.
Please read this and it will give you tons of questions to ask your doctor. If he doesn't know how to get the answers you should look for a doc that does.
http://www.prostate-cancer.org/education/preclin/StrumPogliano_EveryDocShouldKnow.html

Dr Strum is probably the formost dianostician and wrote this to educate doctors on how to distinguish PC from other issues. You may have to cut and paste the link.
JohnT