Hi Annea66 and thank you for your post.

I am sorry to read that your husband is under investigations for prostate cancer. This must be a difficult time for both of you.

It is understandable that you were surprised about getting the results by phone. Many hospitals now do phone appointments because they are quicker and mean you do not have to wait as long.

At the phone call, the doctor will usually explain the biopsy results. This often includes whether cancer cells were found and, if so, information like the Gleason score and grade. We have more information on this on our prostate cancer stages page on our website if helpful to read.

If a CT scan has already been done and reported, those results are usually discussed as well. If any results are not ready yet, they will tell you this and explain when you will get them.

If the results come back with a cancer diagnosis, the case is discussed in a Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT) meeting where all the different doctors involved in your husband’s care will discuss his case and work out a treatment plan. After this meeting there is almost always a follow‑up appointment. This is likely to be a face‑to‑face visit. If not and you would prefer a face‑to‑face appointment, or if you feel you need more time to ask questions, it is okay to ask for one.

At that appointment, the team will go through the results in more detail and talk about the next steps, including treatment options if they are needed.

I hope this information is helpful and you know more soon.

Please get back to us if you need any more information or support

It might help to talk things through with one of our nurses on the helpline. You can call for free on 0808 800 4040, Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.

Kind regards

Tina