Hi Rob86.

Prostate cancer is very common in older men, but often it is on little clinical significance. Often it is a low grade and sleepy pussycat, rather than a high grade and aggressive tiger.  

From your reports of the specialist's comments, it seems likely that if a cancer is found then it it will be early stage, and hence easily treatable - if any treatment is needed at all. 

Of course, waiting for test results is worrying, but this may yet turn out to be nothing too serious. 

Thankyou for your reply [@telemando]‍ 

That's abit more reassuring for sure. I just cant see why they would state in the letter it may be underlying cancer unless they were quite sure it was.

It seems abit unnecessary due to the worry it will promote. 

But on the other side I'm thinking how could it be cancer when everything since November has stated it's fine just enlarged prostate and no obvious symptoms other than some abdominal aches 

Hi Rob.

Try not to overthink this. It's vary rarely the case that doctors "know" someone has cancer and then refer for tests to confirm it.  It's more common for doctors simply to follow the NICE guidelines and put a patient through a recommended sequence of tests, and wait and see what the results are.  

In your Dad's situation, no one knows whether or not it's cancer until the biopsy is done.  

Once the suspicious area was found on the scan (MRI I presume) then the only way to identify it is with a biopsy.  So your Dad HAD to be called in a for a biopsy and the consultant had to provide some explanation of why a biopsy is needed.  So the letter contained all the facts known so far, which is that there's a suspicious area and it may be cancer.   The consultant is following the very sensible NICE guidelines for possible prostate cancer, but no one knows what the result is going be. 

Thanks @telemando 

He got a call today for another assessment next week and his biopsy is in 3 weeks time! Strange they're waiting so long.

Either they're too busy or they dont think it's an urgent case.

He also had a xray not long ago which came back all clear

I dont sorry, I spoke to him on the phone and he just said they want him to have an assessment on Wednesday and then the biopsy is on the 3rd March under a general anaesthetic 

I see. The assessment could well be to check that he's suitable for general anaesthetic.