[Robbb]

Originally Posted by vinricci

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]

Originally Posted by Robbb

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.

Originally Posted by Robbb

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

[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.

[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]

Originally Posted by Windguy

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]

Originally Posted by brewbob

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]

Originally Posted by Robbb

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.