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Biopsy result is back

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Posted 9/9/2016 4:30 AM (GMT 0)
I went to see my urologist today, was very nervous and kind of expected some bad news. After I read through many posts here, I have prepared a question sheet with more than 50 questions.

It turned out that my biopsy is all negative, all 12 cores are "benign prostatic tissue".

I asked my urologist to send the slides to Bostwick or Epstein. He said that it is a logical thing to ask, but in the pathology center that he sent my samples to, 5 pathologists look at the sample and consolidate to one report, so it is not necessary to recheck it. And usually pathologist don't mistake benign cells with cancer cells, even though sometime they may give a different Gleason grade for cancer cells. And he said that if I want to send the slides to a different lab, I should contact the pathology department myself, since he doesn't have the sample.

He ordered a PSA test after 3 months, and said that there is no need at this point to do other scanning, eg MRI etc.

Does what he said make sense?
Posted 9/9/2016 5:36 AM (GMT 0)
Hello,I vote to send them to Bostwick,or John Hopkins.They are the best in the business.
Posted 9/9/2016 1:36 PM (GMT 0)
I would think that the results for those biopsy samples are complete, if five pathologists reviewed them. The only remaining concern is if the needles missed any areas that had cancer.

Often, the next step would be an mpMRI. Also, more tests such as PHI and PCA3.

For now, you can take relief in the fact that the biopsy was negative.
Posted 9/9/2016 1:43 PM (GMT 0)
When I was going to get a second opinion, I checked with one of those two (forgot which one) and the cost was inexpensive, maybe 200-300 bucks. Getting the slides to them was going to be a really simple process so I don't know why for peace of mind you wouldn't get one of them to read the slides.

Don't worry about hurting the feelings of the Doc or the lab - this is your body and your decision.
Posted 9/9/2016 5:01 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you for all your inputs.

@john

When you sent your slides for second opinion, did you actually have to get the sample and mailed it out yourself? or the pathology department did all that for you? and did you get the report or the urologist got it?
Posted 9/9/2016 5:14 PM (GMT 0)
I don't think there's any need for a second opinion. No means no. While a yes can be equivocal, a no is not.

Take the money you save and go out on the town a few times to celebrate. Maybe a flight to Paris?

There are no scans or biochemical tests needed either. Those are for guys where there is still suspicion - as of now, you have none. You just got a "Get out of jail free" card - you should be thrilled. Your doctor is giving you great advice.
Posted 9/9/2016 5:40 PM (GMT 0)
@Allen

Thank you! no word can express how grateful I am to find this site, I have learned so much in the past couple of weeks ... you and others are always here being supportive and pass down your knowledge and kindness ...

Last couple of weeks were stressful, and even my 14 year old daughter sensed something, when she found out "biopsy" mentioned in my texts to my wife, she got nervous too, and started to check online. She asked my wife "Will daddy be there when I graduate from high school?" "Will daddy be there to see me get married?" think about this brings tears to my eyes... What a relief when she knew that I am cancer free last night, we hugged each other many times, group hugs actually ...

I will stay on this board, check regularly, and will update if there is any change in my side. I also made an appointment to see Dr. Chung in Stanford 09/21 to get second opinion, I won't know to get second opinion if I didn't find this site.

Once again, THANK YOU! WISH YOU ALL THE BEST!
Posted 7/5/2017 10:37 PM (GMT 0)
It has been a while since I last posted here, I would like to post my current status.

After I got my biopsy result back last Sept. I actually scheduled an appointment with Dr. Benjamin Chung in Stanford, who also ordered the double check of my biopsy slides, and the conclusion is same. He ordered the MRI, which was done Dec. 2016. Another PSA test was also done in Dec. 2016. MRI result was normal, however, PSA level went up from 5.6 to 5.8. Dr. Chung didn't think that another biopsy was necessary at Dec. 2016, so he sent me home and asked me to recheck PSA in a few months.

While waiting, I found an acupuncturist and have been doing two sessions a week since Jan. 2017. I just did a PSA test last week, now my PSA level went down to 4.3. Doctor asked me to repeat the PSA test in 6-12 months.

Probably nobody understands how acupuncture works if it actually does. Maybe it helps to better other prostate conditions, like enlargement etc. But if I have cancer cells that were missed by biopsy, will my PSA number go down without treatment?
Posted 7/6/2017 1:02 AM (GMT 0)

parisamour said...
But if I have cancer cells that were missed by biopsy, will my PSA number go down without treatment?

It may fluctuate somewhat, but the trend will be up, up, up if there is a tumor in your prostate. While reading this thread I kept thinking, what if the biopsy just missed the tumor, which is what happened to me. What type of MRI did you get? Was it the type used to perform a fusion biopsy? My biggest mistake was when my Uro said my biopsy was negative, I thought that meant I did not have cancer. Not so. As I understand, about one out of four biopsies totally miss the tumor.
Posted 7/6/2017 2:34 AM (GMT 0)
As a girl friend...back in the day.. in the city by the bay... once told me what her granny told her..."if you look long enough for something you will find it..." Er no...the context of such will remain ours...suffice it to say...the city in the 70's...a hot rocket job...liven near Baker St.[think Gerry Rafferty...it came true for me...vision} I married a country girl from laupahoehoe [la pa hoy hoy}Hi..but I still remember dat one fm the city...big brown eyes and she could hit them puppies spot on with visine..nary a spill...fo real I put visine in my eyes every day and I think of her...stay ok still...me wife stay da luv me life...but still........
umm...sorry got carried away...in another dimension...it happens... any way with a tag like parisamour...Im sure you under stand...chill and stop looking for trouble...I know I know you are being pro active....still......
ps yes me wife news all aboot the lassy with dew eyes...
Posted 7/6/2017 3:40 AM (GMT 0)
Just chill. You don't have proven prostate cancer.

You COULD have it later on (as could every man), so just keep up with the psa (or much better PHI tests) every six months or so.

My friend RobLee has a cautionary tale, which should be taken seriously, so the constant testing, including probably another biopsy in the next two years, is wise.

For now, enjoy life.
Posted 7/6/2017 5:15 AM (GMT 0)
You have been given great news at every turn. You have been given very good advice at every posting. You have the responsibility of getting regular PSA test as prescribed by which ever doctor your are trusting with you care. If and when your doctor says you need another biopsy, go get it. Until then be grateful, quit worrying- it is a waste of your time and energy and more importantly it will bring stress upon your family. My goodness, five pathologists said you don't have PC. Yes, I realize that the needle could miss it - so far so good. Tell your daughter that she does not have to go find the guy she is going marry right now. PC is not going to make you miss that adventure.
Posted 7/6/2017 5:31 AM (GMT 0)
And no stink eye cuz!....just cuz... we jus like you no stay sad...lidat....gaurens!..... yeah

PS...member us how old you stay
Posted 7/6/2017 2:26 PM (GMT 0)
Sounds to me like you are one of those unlucky guys that has a bouncy PSA. Which usually means you have to keep an eye on it. But it also means you don't have cancer if it went down. Hope it stays down and you don't need another biopsy.
To put it all in perspective, my husband had a PSA of almost 2000 and mets everywhere. He has survived almost seven years with PCa. You will be there for your daughter, even if you develop PCa down the road.
As Logo said "no stay sad" no more.
smilewinkgrin
Beth
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