85 year old due for biopsy

writerblock-welcome to our conversation, as you can see, there are sometimes strong opinions voiced--and strong disagreement at times with what people choose to do. And, that can be a good thing.

I think, in your case, we as a group are truly posing this question: You're 85 years young--good for you for making it that far without major issues. Let's say your biopsy comes back positive (and it likely will--most american men your age have diagnosable prostate cancer)--what are you going to do then? Obviously, the first question is--how much is there? If you come back with a low-risk case, then entering into Active Surveillance would be obvious: chances are that if you're low risk at 85, you won't have to worry about it unless you're planning on another 20 years or so.

Now, if you come back intermediate or high risk--then we can have THAT conversation. But I happen to think that is unlikely given your age and PSA.

Reality is that the general guidance is that for men of your age and condition is to not bother checking because chances are that even if PC is found, it's not going to advance to the serious level before something else gets you. The fact that you are regularly seeing a Urologist because of your need for finasteride got you the PSA.

Best of luck in deciding what to do--and it's good that you're asking questions--and the right questions to boot. My suggestion is, that while you're waiting on the biopsy--study up on the terms and their meaning, so that you're prepared to give a careful answer to the 'ok, what now?' that is coming next.

Hello, all. I went for the biopsy yesterday. I felt no pain but when the first sample was completed I suddenly felt as if I were burning up. Probably a hot flash--which I had never experienced before. After that my blood pressure began to drop and the procedure was discontinued. One sample was retrieved--but it was from the lobe that felt hard during the dre. I was a little sore in the butt from the ultrasound device afterward and experience discomfort while urinating, but no other SE to record here on the day afterwards.

Interestingly, before the procedure the nurse assured me only 3% of patients undergoing a biopsy have major difficulties. I apparently am among the 3%. Can't say I wasn't warned. But I'm still convinced I made a good decision since I want to know if what I've got--if I've got pc at all--is aggressive or not. Right now is appears contained. Treatment would be potentially curative so it would be worth the investment of time and trouble to go for that.

The uro seems to think anxiety caused the episode. I think otherwise. I felt no pain, I felt relaxed, I was okay with the ultrasound device. It was when the prostate was touched that the trouble started. As it was the two digital exams had stirred things up--so it could be my old prostatitis condition returned. The uro suggested another biopsy in the hospital under anaesthesia. I'm wary about this and will wait for the result of that one sample taken from the apparently affected left lobe.

I've also been reading about SBRT. I'm wondering if that might be a better way to go if I need treatment. First I'd want to do the scans to eliminate any possibility that what I've got has spread anywhere else. If the sample comes back positive, I would hope I'd be a candidate for that once-and-for-all treatment.

Thank you all for your input. In a sense this is eating crow since most of you were against my getting the biopsy because it was so invasive and seemed unnecessary given my age. But in another way, it's made me think harder about my options. I only want to know if the pc is aggressive or not. If it is I want a chance to cure it.

We need to respect this poster's decisions and choices. He just might live another twenty years and may or may not have advanced PC. He's following medical advice and not doing anything we all haven't done.

We need to stop saying, "At your age."

Honestly brothers, that's just down right insulting.

Stop.
Andrew

WB, lots of different opinions here remember the most important thing is that you be own advocate look at all the facts but most importantly find a good medical team that looks at the complete picture. I'm not in your shoes but if you are not experiencing any of the difficulties that usually go along with prostate cancer or age ( frequent urination, incontinence, bm troubles ) why would you risk these now at your age? every treatment has side effects and as we get older harder to overcome. JMHO but just speaking from my experiences at 62 and experiencing some of the side effects that's why I would recommend a good team to look at the total picture including Quality of Life, Wishing you the best in whatever decision you make!

Larry

Well I just received the dx on the one core taken from the left lobe that felt hard during the dre. The uro said it was aggressive, Gleason 8. He is setting up a CT scan and a bone scan. I'm shaken.

I had the biopsy primarily to find out the truth. Now I need to deal with it. They'll do the scans, then put forth a treatment plan--probably radiation and HT. I'll do what I need to do. The two urologists who recently saw me were firm about their suspicions--and I think that my general good condition may have persuaded them to encourage me to pursue treatment rather than to do nothing. Thanks for the input. This site is an amazing font of information.

Yes, I intend to ask my uro to forward the biopsy report to Dr. Epstein. Interesting, though, about HT which I no doubt will need. It supposedly makes men prematurely old. They gain weight, lose muscle strength, get more forgetful and tire easily. I already experience all this except for the hot flashes! so I'm wondering if any of this would just be more of the same or make things worse. In any case, I have a loving family who want me to stick around--so I'll do what needs to be done.

I was on vacation and didn't see you're posts about your DX, sorry to hear you have to deal with treatment.

HT isn't fun, but it can be done. Radiation will be easy compared to that. Likely you'll do just fine.

Hang in there and keep us updated,
Andrew

Didn't want to say that out loud, but yes you likely have already naturally had some of those fun HT side effects.

It's not fun, but many get through it.

Andrew

Day 2 since I received 2 injections of fermagon on Thursday. No SE so far. Mowed lawn yesterday. Put out garbage this morning. Feel fine. Meet with radiation oncologist Wed.

My front yard is a quarter of an acre. I use a cordless electric mower--so it's a workout. Hauling the garbage involves heavy lifting of three different containers to the curb about 80 ft away. I mention this to counter the sarcasm. Will a brick wall hit down the road? Maybe. But maybe older guys have already figured out how to deal with the SE of the aging process which comes with ht. I'm about to find out.

I said I felt no SE "so far." I also said, "so far so good" in another post. I never ruled out getting hit harder in the future.

WriteBlock... Just wondering if you had your testosterone checked it would be interesting to see what a 85 yr old guy in good shape has for testosterone. After 2 yrs you will probably be at 0 I'm at <7 after 6 months as someone says this is a marathon you probably won't notice much SE's to start but they seem to increase the longer you are on it at least for me. The best thing is when i forget to do something the wife wants I just blame it on the lupron fog!! LOL. I'm looking at 2 yrs also to start with hopefully that will be it but for now it seems to be doing it's job which I am very grateful for cause like you I enjoy my family and want to be around for a long time! Wishing you the very best and be sure to keep us in the loop.

Larry