Anyone had a prostrate bioposy

[Robbb]

Had one today, probable the most excruciating pain I have ever had. I had no idea it would be like this.

[VApeople]

I had a prostate biopsy done in Virginia in 2005 when I was 60 years old and it was painless.

The doctor put an instrument up my butt, sent a needle (I guess) thru the wall of my large intestine, and withdrew 12 samples from my prostate. After analyzing those samples, the lab found cases of cancer.

My doctor said I could have radiation done on my prostate to hopefully kill the cancer cells or I could just wait and see if the cancer spreads. I chose to wait and see what happens.

Over the next nine years, I had my PSA checked twice a year and it kept gradually increasing. When it reached 7.5 in 2014, I had another painless biopsy done and it found the cancer had spread inside my prostate, so my doctor suggested I have radiation seeds put into my prostate to hopefully kill the cancer cells. I had that done in December of that year.

I still get my PSA checked every six months and it stays about 0.1, so I guess all of the cancer cells in my prostate were killed by the radiation

[LuvNH]

My husband had to have one about 10 yrs ago. When he came out of the room he was literally in shock and could hardly walk. The prostrate is not very big and they took 10 chunks out of his. Very primitive.

[tophcfa]

Had one today, probable the most excruciating pain I have ever had. I had no idea it would be like this.

They are not fun, but if done correctly, they are high on the uncomfortable scale and very low on the painful scale. The side effects of the antibiotic given for the procedure, Cipro, were easily 1,000 times more painful than the actual procedure. An open radical prostatectomy, on the other hand, is high on the painful scale, but the pain is short lived and absolutely nothing compared to metastatic prostate cancer.

Here is hoping your results show a low Gleason score of 2 or 3 and you have nothing serious to worry about, fingers crossed.

[bagboy]

Had one today, probable the most excruciating pain I have ever had. I had no idea it would be like this.

I went through the prostate biopsy procedure 6 different times. Four times in SC, and twice in FL.
The first two times they took 6 samples, the last four they took 12 samples. All snips were uncomfortable, but I do remember two that were very painful. Finally my doctor here sent me to Sarasota for a prostate MRI. Cancer was detected and I chose the Robot Assisted Laproscopic Prostectomy. Ive had less than .01 psa readings since 2016.
To your post, you shouldn't have discomfort a day or two after biopsy, but you will have blood in your semen for awhile. I hope your result is negative for cancer, but if it's positive, decide your choice of treatment after consultation with your doctor.

[thelegges]

Average number is 6-12 sites. Urology office is the norm. Most have some discomfort, With occasionally some pain. If you had that much issue need to discuss with your provider. sometimes they wi!l prescribe low dose valium. Guessing your PSA was high for need. Once removed your numbers should be negligible, but still need to be repeated yearly

[Robbb]

Average number is 6-12 sites. Urology office is the norm. Most have some discomfort, With occasionally some pain. If you had that much issue need to discuss with your provider. sometimes they wi!l prescribe low dose valium. Guessing your PSA was high for need. Once removed your numbers should be negligible, but still need to be repeated yearly

Tks guys, turns out i had 21 cores, thats Mayo Clinic for you. Had a complication of a spastic bladder, most painful thing ever encoutered. Got it treated much better very quickly...lol it was a long day.

[tophcfa]

Tks guys, turns out i had 21 cores, thats Mayo Clinic for you. Had a complication of a spastic bladder, most painful thing ever encoutered. Got it treated much better very quickly...lol it was a long day.

You went to a great place for the procedure. Glad you’re feeling better. Been thinking about you, been there and done that and your post brought back memories. Feel free to PM me if you ever want to talk to someone who’s been through the ordeal.

[askcarl]

If positive, Proton therapy.

[Markus]

I had it done in 2008 in Ohio, more uncomfortable than painful. I had 3 spots of cancer and had robotic surgery to remove the prostate then.

[bsloan1960]

I don't understand- why not first give you the same medicine as when you have a colonoscopy? Had one today, probable the most excruciating pain I have ever had. I had no idea it would be like this.

[vinricci]

My thoughts are if your prostate has cancer and someone pokes holes in it won’t the cancer cells spread throughout your body?

[TeresaE]

Had one today, probable the most excruciating pain I have ever had. I had no idea it would be like this.

Try having your uterus biopsied. Such fun.

[VApeople]

My thoughts are if your prostate has cancer and someone pokes holes in it won’t the cancer cells spread throughout your body?

I guess not.

As I mentioned in an earlier post, I had my first prostate biopsy done in 2005 and they found cancer cells in my prostate. As far as I can tell, those cancer cells have not spread thru my entire body.

[Robbb]

I don't understa
nd- why not first give you the same medicine as when you have a colonoscopy?

OH they did, the procedure was a breeze, it was the complication afterwards. The procedure itself was a 10 minute nap.

[Robbb]

My thoughts are if your prostate has cancer and someone pokes holes in it won’t the cancer cells spread throughout your body?

Ive read a couple of scientific articles on that and they don't feel that happens.

[ROCKETMAN]

I had 2 biopsies done in 2003. One negative, six months later positive for cancer cells. I was only 57 at the time so weighing the options I had prostrate surgery which was before they did it robot style. Five days in hospital. Have side affects but since I served in Vietnam Nam and was possibly caused by agent orange I do get a monthly amount from VA.

[Meeneevan]

Had one today, probable the most excruciating pain I have ever had. I had no idea it would be like this.

I’ve had several over the last 7 years and they’re definitely no fun but I imagine most women feel this type of pain/discomfort monthly so I try not to complain. The last 2 biopsies have been done via MRI which imo is the way to go, try asking for this method if doctor mentions doing another via core samples. Good luck!

[Windguy]

I had two done just because my PSA was a little high (6) back about 15-20 years ago. Other than the PSA, there were no indications of a problem. Your PSA can jump up temporarily for many non-cancerous reasons. Even bowel movements and sex.

I’ve had chronic prostatitis ever since those rather unpleasant biopsies. I now suffer from painful outbreaks 1-3 times a year when the bacteria decide to hold a rave. Although antibiotics can calm down the partiers, they can’t actually get the all squatters to leave the house. Apparently, there is no cure for chronic prostatitis.

I will never get another biopsy based upon PSA alone.

[cphague]

I did. I was told it would be painless.

Reality: Every chunk they took was incredibly painful. It took two days before I felt normal and two months to stop bleeding. Simply awful.

Had one today, probable the most excruciating pain I have ever had. I had no idea it would be like this.

[brewbob]

If you have a high psa.... have an MRI to locate the tumor...then have a fusion guided biopsy. The fusion guided biopsy uses the MRI image to guide the biopsy needle. Very cool technique...but still painful. Had that done, 4 biopsy samples and 3 hit the 1/4" diameter tumor. I went on to have Proton therapy in San Diego. PSA went from 10 down to stable .1 now. No surgery, no xray treatments.

If you dont know about Proton therapy and need a treatment for prostate cancer....please do some research before you have ANYTHING done.

fyi there are several Proton treatment centers in Florida!

What Is Proton Therapy | Proton Radiation | Proton Beam Therapy | UF Health Proton Therapy Institute (https://www.floridaproton.org/what-is-proton-therapy)

[Ptmcbriz]

My husband has had 11 biopsies taken in one time. He said it was stinging snip at the time. Unpleasant he said. Highly recommended proton therapy if needed. It’s the state of the art these days for prostate cancer.

[mikeycereal]

I did and the pain for me was no more than 2 out of 10. Felt like a very light rubber band sting... 12 times. No pain after that and I could walk fine. The only aftereffects were a little blood when going to the bathroom the first few times. They do go over that with you at the clinic.

Had it removed several months later. Recovery was about 5-6 weeks and I resumed going to the gym and back to my normal weight amounts. Back to normal life 7 months after surgery. Villages Health and UF Gainsville both did a fantastic job. And since I had been lifting weights regularly for many years and kept in good shape + eating healthy that helped too.

:pepper2:

[bsouthworth47@yahoo.com]

I go to Shands Prostate Cancer. Last August when they did a biopsy it was brutal. I felt it every time they moved the needle. I had another biopsy in December and told them to put me out. Didn't feel a thing. Would not do another biopsy unless they put me out. There is a new procedure out called nano knife that Shands does. Check with your doctor if you have prostate cancer and if they are aware of the procedure.

[VApeople]

Your PSA can jump up temporarily for many non-cancerous reasons.

Yeah, I had that happen to me.

In about 2007, my PSA was normally about 6.0 and I was seeing a Urologist every six months. Then I went to a doctor for a yearly physical exam and got a PSA reading of 35.0.

The computer came to my rescue. I had just gotten over a urinary trac infection, and a web site said that can cause a high PSA. I went to my urologist, got some medicine to deal with the UTI, and my PSA returned to 6.0.

[OhioBuckeye]

Thanks, now I know I’ll never, get one!

[tophcfa]

If you have a high psa.... have an MRI to locate the tumor...then have a fusion guided biopsy.

It’s not always a high PSA that warrants the biopsy. My PSA was under 3.0, but my primary care physician felt a node during routine screening at my annual wellness visit. She saved my life by doing that rather uncomfortable screening that many choose not to have. I had a Gleason score of 7 and the final cancer grade was T3A after the prostatectomy (the cancer had broken outside the prostate wall). I was a walking dead man and it was only a matter of time, even though I had no symptoms. Fortunately, she caught it just in time and I had one of the best urologist ontology surgeons in the world, at Mass General, do an open procedure, where he could actually feel the tumor with his fingers and cut clean margins around it (something that a robot can’t necessarily do). Seven and a half years later I still get a PSA every six months and the results have always been undetectable. Although I’ll never technically be 100% out of the woods, I’m about as close to being cancer free as possible. Plus, many of my aging friends are suffering with the issues related to an enlarged prostate. That’s an issue I’ll never have to worry about now : )

[Joe C.]

I went to Brownwood at the Villages Medical Center when my PSA was finally tested at 8. Prostate biopsy recommended by Dr. Thompson, whose PA Roger Madore did the biopsy. I had the addition of Nitrous Oxide ($100. extra out of pocket) and novocaine/lidocane. The biopsy was uncomfortable, but bearable. The biopsy came back positive for cancer, 7 on the Gleason scale but a 3-4 vs.a 4-3.
Had photon radiation at Florida Cancer Center in the Sharon Morse Medical Bldg in Spanish Springs. 28 sessions of radiation. All is well, PSA down to .03. Highly recommend these doctors and locations for treatment.

[djlnc]

Had one today, probable the most excruciating pain I have ever had. I had no idea it would be like this.

I had mine a couple years ago. Had MRI done first. General anesthesia and I had no pain during or after.

[Rich42]

I can’t believe the horror stories listed here. I had a biopsy about 20 yrs go with absolutely no pain during or after and no after affects whatsoever.

[Mpphred]

Had 2 of them done. first one in 2004 and second in 2007. Both irritating but second a little better than the first. Had it removed robotic method and cancer free since 2007.

[sjeffries]

Had one today, probable the most excruciating pain I have ever had. I had no idea it would be like this.

The word PROSTATE (to which you are referring) is a totally different word than the word you typed, spelled PROSTRATE.

PROSTATE is a gland in the body
PROSTRATE means lying face down on the ground

Just thought you’d like to know the difference between these two very similarly spelled words…. having two totally different definitions.

[Pat2015]

I guess not.

As I mentioned in an earlier post, I had my first prostate biopsy done in 2005 and they found cancer cells in my prostate. As far as I can tell, those cancer cells have not spread thru my entire body.
As a cancer survivor why would you wait to see if your cancer cells spread vs getting them attended to years ago? Certainly not a protocol that my Dr would have suggested, as once cancer spreads it’s much more difficult to treat and in many cases the prognosis is not good for metastasizing cancer.

[NJRICHARD]

ASK every prostate doctor what THEIR DOCUMENTED PEER REVIEWED cure rate record is? MOST will tell you they have been doing this for 20+ years (I have been playing golf for 20+ years AND STILL STINK AT IT!) and then they will throw you out of their office! THEY DON'T KEEP cure rate records. RCOG (Radiotherapy Clinics of Georgia) uses seed and radiation combined for a 'cure' rate of over 90%. You might want to check them out. A Painful biopsy is usually done by an inexperienced doctor.

[VApeople]

As a cancer survivor why would you wait to see if your cancer cells spread vs getting them attended to years ago?

In 2005 my urologist though simply monitoring my prostate cancer development was reasonable.

For nine years, he monitored my PSA. In 2014, he did another biopsy and found more cancer in my prostate, so he recommended I have radiation seeds put into my prostate. I asked if it was OK to wait until golf season was over, and he agreed.

[ithos]

Has anyone tried or been recommended EpiSwitch?

It is reported to be a blood test with 94% accuracy.

According to Oxford BioDynamics, the epigenetic test is designed to be used alongside a standard prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test. The blood-based test works by combining PSA score with 5 epigenetic biomarkers (DAPK1, HSD3B2, SRD5A3, MMP1, and miRNA98). In a recent study of the PSE test,2 the tool was shown to improve the predictive accuracy of a standard PSA test from 55% to 94%.
EpiSwitch Prostate Screening blood test launches on US market (https://www.urologytimes.com/view/episwitch-prostate-screening-blood-test-launches-on-us-market)
24-02C Robert Heaton Jr MD "EpiSwitch PSE Blood Test" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tFLpIPBXKiQ
Here is some more detailed research that was partly funded by the developer.
Development and Validation of Blood-Based Predictive Biomarkers for Response to PD-1/PD-L1 Checkpoint Inhibitors: Evidence of a Universal Systemic Core of 3D Immunogenetic Profiling across Multiple Oncological Indications - PMC (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10216232/)

Curious why more patients have not been apprised of this complementary option.

[tophcfa]

I asked if it was OK to wait until golf season was over, and he agreed.

LOL, I used to try to schedule any needed medical procedures around golfing season, but in the Villages golf season is year round? What a dilemma!

[Bilyclub]

I've had 5 with 3 being in a 6 month period because of a DNA study I got talked into doing. Have a lump that they feel, but did not show up on a couple of MRI's. I liken the sound of the extracter to be like that of an old Arrow staple gun. Not really painful except the feeling like you have to go all the time for 2 or 3 days.

[Jimmy R.]

The worst experience of my life. What really upset me while getting radiation treatments another man told me his was in the Hospital and he was knocked out . I was in Dr's office and wide awake. Wish I had that option offered to me.

[michigan 15]

Had one today, probable the most excruciating pain I have ever had. I had no idea it would be like this.
You should have been anesthetized for the procedure. I didn't' feel any pain when I had the procedure.

[Justputt]

If positive, Proton therapy. Wouldn't consider protons. Conventional VMAT works perfectly well. When I retired, we were still doing mostly 44 factions, some with 28 fractions, and considering SBRT dropping it to 5 fractions, but the jury is still out on SBRT as far as our doctors were concerned. It boils down to how many fractions can you drop (less fractions = more dose per faction) and still have the same outcome without unacceptable complications. Protons are great for treating things that don't move inter- or intra-fraction, but the prostate does move some even during treatment.

[Brian1958]

A transperineal prostate biopsy is now the only way to go. I had this done in 2022. At the time Hackensack in NJ was the only hospital in the state using this procedure. Much safer, more accurate for sampling and zero pain. Transrectal is old technology at this point.

[Girlcopper]

My husband had to have one about 10 yrs ago. When he came out of the room he was literally in shock and could hardly walk. The prostrate is not very big and they took 10 chunks out of his. Very primitive.
OMG. Idoubt it was “chunks”. Biopsies are small scrapings.

[BlackHarley]

Had one today, probable the most excruciating pain I have ever had. I had no idea it would be like this.
I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express...

[brewbob]

There are several terms for radiation treatments. Dont be fooled by terns like Photon or Cyberknife. Those are X-RAYS. Protons are NOT x-rays. Xrays enter the body and go thru the body and exit the body. Any organ in the x-ray's path can be damaged. Protons release its energy on target. No damage to any organ outside the target.

Children with brain tumors are always referred for Proton therapy to minimize long term issues when using x-rays. If Proton therapy is good for a child...makes sense it would be good for me too.

Most urologist will recommend whatever treatment they make money with. ie surgery, xray or seeds. All the treatment methods will kill the tumor, but the patient deals with any side effect. Dont want the possibility of wearing diapers the rest of your life? I suggest Proton therapy. These books can help you understand Proton therapy....

Sorry! Something went wrong! (https://www.amazon.com/s?k=proton+therapy&crid=K9881V6ZJ3SS)

This website can help in many ways...

Protonbob Homepage | Proton BOB (https://protonbob.com/)

Yes I am a member of BOB...Brotherhood of the Balloon.

[OhioBuckeye]

I had a friend that had a radioactive seed put in his prostate & he also said there was no pain during the exam or nothing. The only thing they told him that he wasn’t allowed to do is sleep with his wife for 1 week. I’m thinking that was the only pain he had, he’s got serious Dementia now though!

[Pgcacace]

In 2019, my husband had a psa of 11. They did 32 biopsies at Yale New Haven. No complaints. Stage 3 so he opted for a robotic prostatectomy. He has a major side affect that I can live with because he is alive.

[Etpjay960]

Had 2 first one was 12 panel and was negative for cancer, not to bad overall. The 2nd one was a 18 panel and they knocked my ass out !! it was miserable for 72 hrs afterwards but they found cancer, within 3 months had my prostate removed, they found my cancer went from 10% to almost 25% in the 3 months, very rare usually very slow growing. Im so glad it's gone!! Been 2 years and I'm cancer free!! This was all done at Northwestern Hospital in Chicago

[OhioBuckeye]

God Bless him!

[ithos]

Interesting studies about treatment vs non treatment.

What Happens if You Don't Treat Prostate Cancer? with Dr. Michael Ahdoot

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S4GISK88Erg

[dewilson58]

Interesting studies about treatment vs non treatment.

What Happens if You Don't Treat Prostate Cancer? with Dr. Michael Ahdoot

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S4GISK88Erg

Very old data.

[tophcfa]

Interesting studies about treatment vs non treatment.

What Happens if You Don't Treat Prostate Cancer? with Dr. Michael Ahdoot

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S4GISK88Erg

That’s a complete and total bunch of BS. I am a firm believer in the power of data analysis for certain things that don’t involve life and death situations. Data has outliers, and I wouldn’t bet my life on not being an outlier. If my prostate cancer wasn’t treated 7 1/2 years ago, I would either be dead or in a very horrible place right now. Instead, I’m living a very fun, active, and cancer free life.

[ThirdOfFive]

I suppose just like most everything else, a lot depends on who does the procedure. I had a total knee replacement done which resulted in constant pain (worse during P.T.) for nearly a month after and taking nearly a year for the swelling to subside completely. Conversely I have a sister-in-law who had it done a couple of years earlier--same procedure--who had pain for about a week afterwards with things back to normal by the six-month point.

[Topspinmo]

Try having your uterus biopsied. Such fun.

Apples vs oranges :duck: or should I say bananas vs oranges? Quit the quandary? :ohdear:

[Bwanajim]

Had one today, probable the most excruciating pain I have ever had. I had no idea it would be like this.

Had one done a few years ago in the office without being knocked out. The worst thing ever!!😩😩
My new urologist said he always knocks you out.
Never again unless I’m knocked out!!

[Bruce3055]

Had one today, probable the most excruciating pain I have ever had. I had no idea it would be like this.

I just read a book by the Dr who developed the PSA test and became aware of some very interest points.
- the PSA test is not FDA approved to detect cancer.
- Proton therapy machine costs upward of $100M
- Da Vinci robotic machine costs upward of $2M
- both proton and Da Vinci machines would not be profitable without frequent billings for prostate treatments
- most males will have prostate cancer if they live long enough and not be aware of it or die from it. the odds of having low grade prostate cancer increase expotentially as a male ages ( I think an 80 year old has about an 80% chance of having prostate cancer)
- 1 in 500 will have aggressive prostate cancer and probably die from it
- there is no good test to tell the difference between aggressive and low grade prostate cancer

[ElDiabloJoe]

I just read a book by the Dr who developed the PSA test and became aware of some very interest points.
- the PSA test is not FDA approved to detect cancer.
- Proton therapy machine costs upward of $100M
- Da Vinci robotic machine costs upward of $2M
- both proton and Da Vinci machines would not be profitable without frequent billings for prostate treatments
- most males will have prostate cancer if they live long enough and not be aware of it or die from it. the odds of having low grade prostate cancer increase expotentially as a male ages ( I think an 80 year old has about an 80% chance of having prostate cancer)
- 1 in 500 will have aggressive prostate cancer and probably die from it
- there is no good test to tell the difference between aggressive and low grade prostate cancer

Well, that's all encouraging information. :not:

[dewilson58]

I just read a book by the Dr who developed the PSA test and became aware of some very interest points.
- the PSA test is not FDA approved to detect cancer.
- Proton therapy machine costs upward of $100M
- Da Vinci robotic machine costs upward of $2M
- both proton and Da Vinci machines would not be profitable without frequent billings for prostate treatments
- most males will have prostate cancer if they live long enough and not be aware of it or die from it. the odds of having low grade prostate cancer increase expotentially as a male ages ( I think an 80 year old has about an 80% chance of having prostate cancer)
- 1 in 500 will have aggressive prostate cancer and probably die from it
- there is no good test to tell the difference between aggressive and low grade prostate cancer

You may want to throw the book away, it's out dated.

The FDA has approved the PSA test.

There are GREAT tests to tell the difference between low grade & aggressive PC. Example: Decipher's Prostate RP Genomic Classifier.

[dewilson58]

Well, that's all encouraging information. :not:

Hang in there..................it's not accurate.

:beer3:

[tophcfa]

You may want to throw the book away, it's out dated.

The FDA has approved the PSA test.

There are GREAT tests to tell the difference between low grade & aggressive PC. Example: Decipher's Prostate RP Genomic Classifier.

Agree, and don’t forget the Gleason score as well.

A PSA test is a great marker for people who have had a radical prostatectomy. Only two things make PSA, a prostate or mutated prostate cells (prostate cancer). If the prostate has been removed, PSA should be undetectable unless some cancerous cells escaped or were left behind and begin to grow. No one who has had cancer is lucky, but at least prostate cancer patients are lucky to have such a specific marker to track the success of a radical prostatectomy.