HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

Would a T3 MRI scan see prostate cancer?

Support Forums
>
Prostate Cancer
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 12/30/2016 6:30 PM (GMT 0)
I've had 3, T-3 MRI scans in the last 36 months and they say it shows some nodules whatever they are?. BUT no cancer. However the past 3 years my PSA is going up. 2014 PSA 5.25.... 2015 PSA 7.3.... 2016 PSA 14.8 and now I have a biopsy scheduled for next week. Would an MRI NOT pick up a cancerous tumor if I had one?

Thanks Jay.
Posted 12/30/2016 7:08 PM (GMT 0)
The MRI will only identify areas of concern the biopsy is the way to tell if they are cancerous.
Posted 12/30/2016 7:19 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you. Is the recovery right after a Biopsy painful for the next few days?
Posted 12/30/2016 7:37 PM (GMT 0)
There are different kinds of MRIs. 3T just means the magnetic field strength of the MRI was 3 Tesla (which is strong). Exactly what they can see depends on what kind of MRI you had (T1, T2, DWI,and DCE may be used). The only way to confirm cancer is with a biopsy.

I didn't have any pain afterwards in any of the 3 biopsies I had.
Posted 12/30/2016 7:46 PM (GMT 0)
The biopsy can be uncomfortable while they're doing it, but afterwards you're fine, although there's blood in everything. You can see about getting knocked out for the biopsy--my second biopsy was a "saturation" biopsy with 30 sample so I wasn't awake for that one.
Posted 12/31/2016 12:43 AM (GMT 0)
Yeah, Jay - As long as they're just doing the standard 12-core biopsy, AND they use a nerve block, it will be a non-issue. I was petrified of the biopsy, but my uro did use the nerve block. Non-issue entirely. I went from the biopsy to take my wife out to lunch. I had more after effects from the valium I requested to calm me than I did from the procedure itself.

And yes, the slasher-movie color effects in everything can be disconcerting, but they subside over a short time (except for the bright red ejaculate - that may take a few weeks to gradually turn rust-colored, and finally back to normal). No pain, just Technicolor.
Posted 12/31/2016 4:39 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you all for the reply's I forgot to add that the Biopsy is a 24 core procedure on Jan 13th.. I know with a high PSA 14.8 and a low free PSA 7.8 that its likely to be cancer but truly hoping its not.
Posted 12/31/2016 6:16 PM (GMT 0)
I would asked to be put out for a 24 core biopsy. 6 to 8 core biopsies are pretty easy. After 12 cores the biopsy starts to be painful and at 20 you will have tears in your eyes. Pain lasts about 4 to 8 hours and a Vicodin before and after is very helpful.
Posted 12/31/2016 6:33 PM (GMT 0)
Don't be so sure it's cancer although I can understand your wanting to brace for the worst and confront it now. My PSA just before biopsy was 9 and free PSA was at 5. 4KScore showed high probability for cancer. My MRI showed no discreet tumor but several areas of "concern" indicating possible cancer, infection, or inflammation. I also had a color Doppler ultrasound that mirrored the MRI summary.

12-core "guided" biopsy returned results of no sign of cancer! My C reactive protein shows considerable inflammation somewhere in my body; most likely my prostate.

My final diagnosis is BPH and asymptomatic prostate inflammation (possible infection although no signs of it from tests to date).

The several DNA tests I took (Mdx and PCA-3) both showed extreme low probability of cancer.

I had every possible test I could get prior to biopsy. My point for you and others reading this: there are no full-proof tests for prostate cancer. PSA is an indicator to watch for trends more than focusing and drawing conclusions based on the number itself. My PSA is 9 with no trace of cancer but rather an inflamed prostate. (No sign of PIN cells either, btw.)

Oh...I had no pain after biopsy whatsoever although there was a bit of constipation. The blood in body fluids wasn't so disconcerting since I expected it.

Of course, there's always a chance this first biopsy missed the cancer. So I'm in active surveillance mode for the next few years. But they had both the MRI and ultrasound to make this a more "guided" bx so I have high hopes.

Hoping for good results on your tests!

Brad
Posted 12/31/2016 6:52 PM (GMT 0)
Brad,
Thank you for taking the time to tell me what you went through. I never thought of the c receptive protein until
you mentioned it as mine was high I think they said 7.0. My MRI showed nothing but nodules and I don't know what they are but the they did mention there could be a small tumor behind a nodule that the MRI couldn't see. Otherwise MRI doc wrote most likely BPH bud then labeled the test Pi rad 3 which got everybody jumping around. Again I don't know what that means.

Thanks
Jay
Posted 12/31/2016 7:42 PM (GMT 0)
Jaydubs-

PIRADS 3 means that the MRI you had (which I now understand was a multiparametric MRI) showed areas that are equivocal for cancer. The highest PIRADS score is 5, which would be highly suspicious for cancer. So you are in a gray zone - maybe, maybe not. Only the biopsy can tell you.

If you are having 28 cores, I assume you will be having a transperineal template mapping biopsy with the mpMRI image fused to the real-time 3D ultrasound guided image. If so, that's about as good as it gets. They will either put you out or give you a spinal block. It also means that the danger of infection is a lot less.

I'm concerned that you have good questions and that you're raising important points, but that you are not getting the answers from conversions with your doctor. I think good 2-way conversation is vital. I've found that bringing in written questions to your meetings, and writing down the answers as you hear them is a good practice. Also, bring someone with you - two sets of ears is better than one.

(It helps to create a signature with this sort of info in it so we don't have to guess)
Posted 12/31/2016 11:34 PM (GMT 0)
Tall Allen,

Thank you for the info as I truly appreciate it. I do know the urologist said it would be 24 cores not 28 and he said he would go through the rectum. He said he injects the prostate with something to numb it but that I would be awake which bothers me. He said it might be a little uncomfortable but its pretty quick. Something about a doctor that says the word uncomfortable makes me think its painful..
Posted 12/31/2016 11:45 PM (GMT 0)
As I explained, "something to numb it" may mean a lot of things. It is up to you to get clarification and ask for whatever you want. It is important to use the words they use (e.g., periprostatic nerve block) and not the words they use for patients (e.g., numb it). I personally do not think general anesthesia is necessary, but that should be your call. 24 is a LOT of cores, especially transrectally. I can see why he'd want extra cores to get around the cysts. The anesthesia has to be set up in advance.
Posted 1/1/2017 6:01 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Jay, I had the standard 6 core and then a 18 core both through the rectum. Both missed any lesions as my lesions were farther than the needle penetrates. MRI was negative also. So at least the MRI is giving your Doc some guidance. The numbing shots helps but some areas are more sensitive than others as the medicine doesn't penetrate to outer areas quickly enough. But you just count the clicks as he fires off the biopsy needle and you can get through it. Good luck to you. Keep us posted.
Posted 1/1/2017 9:24 PM (GMT 0)
CaliJR, if both biopsies missed the lesions and the lesions were farther than the needles can penetrate, how did they determine you had PC? Was there a third biopsy you didn't mention?
Posted 1/2/2017 2:27 AM (GMT 0)
Following a mpMRI, I had a transperineal grid biopsy 28 cores, general anaesthetic. Would be my preferred option. I think it took 6 weeks for the urine to finally get clear of clots.
Posted 1/2/2017 7:26 PM (GMT 0)
JMO
Get knocked out.
I only had a 12 core biopsy, and I felt every last one of the thirteen pricks, that include the numbing shot that didn't work.
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply