Cancer Research UK main site

Prostate issues

SteveEric
Offline

Hi, just joined this forum as I'm anxiously now waiting for the results of my prostate biopsy taken 6 days ago.

I've been given a date and time for a telephone consultation with the urologist, a week today 24th March.

I would have preferred a face to face appointment but understand that this is more efficient for the nhs.

I've just listened to a very informative video created by the nhs given by a specialist who explains very well what to expect after a biopsy has been performed. 

I can't recall everything but staying, low, medium and high risk  cancers were mentioned along with various medical terms for grading prostate cancer. 

I'm trying to familiarise myself with such terms because I'm sure this telephone consultation will talk about such things. 

They may talk about living with the cancer and " watching " over it with maybe regular biopsies. 

My concern at the moment is will I be asked to make a choice at this telephone call as to my ongoing treatment or not?

From what I've gleaned so far there can be different options depending on factors like age etc. 

I'm 74 and needed a TURP 8 years ago due to full retention, 3 months ago I went into partial retention which initiated DRE, MRI scan and a biopsy. 

There is a hard lump in one lobe, cancer likely. 

So that's where I'm at.

  • Offline

    Hello SteveEric and a warm welcome to the forum, sorry to hear you have prostate cancer. firstly i am not an expert, was in healthcare 15 years and have had prostate cancer PCa for 2 years. You say there is a hard lump in one side of the prostate, if your PCa is confined to the shell your tumour will probably be graded T2, which is very good news. You may be given treatment options at your phone call but you do not have to make a decision straight away, you will be given the opportunity to talk to those who will be doing any treatment, remember it's your body, so your choice. Age plays a part in treatment but other health conditions and general fitness play a bigger part. I know it can be confusing trying to understand with all the new terms that come with cancer, and if i can help, just ask, PS, i'm not sure if you will go on watchful waiting or go on hormone therapy, but either way any treatment will be done with the intent to cure, take care.

    Eddie

  • Offline in reply to eddiel

    Hi Eddie and many thanks for your kind reply.

    I'm happy to hear that I'll be able to talk to the team after I've had chance to digest the information given at the telephone consultation come in 7 days time.

    I have since my post done some further reading on the nhs site and watched the video again. 

    It seems a good idea to be familiar with the names and terms given to things like Stage, Grade and TNM.

    I'm trying hard not to determine where I'm at because I don't have All the data.

    One slightly concerning observation is the report sent to me from the private firm who performed the biopsy. 

    It's shows a number of coloured pictures which I presume are from the MRI scan and a Blue circle shown on the right lobe which is probably the area of concern. 

    The blue area does go outside of the prostate shell which if this is so may not be good news.

    But as I said I'm trying not to jump to conclusions and must now stop looking and wait for the correct results. 

    Thanks again Eddie. 

    Steve.

  • Offline in reply to SteveEric

    Good luck with the biopsy results, you will know where you stand once you have them, best wishes.

    Eddie

Speak to a nurse

Quick links

Follow us

Registered with Fundraising Regulator (logo)
Cancer Research UK is a registered charity in England and Wales (1089464), Scotland (SC041666), the Isle of Man (1103) and Jersey (247). A company limited by guarantee. Registered company in England and Wales (4325234) and the Isle of Man (5713F). Registered address: 2 Redman Place, London, E20 1JQ.