Husband had biopsy, Didn't talk, to doctor. Results will be in 4 days from now. My husband is going to the hospital

[JohnSJ]

63. Today every prostate biopsy should be preceeded by a prostate MRI followed by a directed biopsy.

Last edited Wed May 8, 2024, 08:55 PM - Edit history (1)

Random biopsies are hit and miss, and if the suspicious area is in the anterior or transition zone a transrectal biopsy may not hit the right spot, which is why European countries prefer transperineal prostate biopsies, and because the risk of infection from a transperineal prostate biopsy is almost zero.

Comprehensive cancer centers are the places to go for that here in the U.S.

I probably shouldn't make these comments, but the diagnostic technologies have really changed from even 10 years ago, and the treatments have also, especially with radiation therapy. If radiation therapy is employed it can take as little as 5 days, every other day with SBRT, to 9 weeks as you referenced with photon beam radiation or proton beam radiation. There is also brachytherapy or a combination, image guided radiation therapy, or various ablation techniques using heat with ultrasound or lasers.

The important thing is the experience of the physician doing the treatment and diagnosis.

Depending on the grade of the biopsy, a patient might be a candidate for something called active surveillance, where it is a low gleason grade.

If active surveillance is being considered it is highly recommended to do a genetic test on the positive biopsy core to help determine if the paitent is a candidate for AS.

Also getting a second read opinion on the positive biopsy slides may be worthwhile.

I wish the OP's husband all the best, and note that with most prostate cancers the patient has time to make an informed decision on the type of treatment if the biopsy is positive. Which allows the patient time to interview surgeons/urologist, radiation oncologists, etc. to help determine what would be the best approach.