Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2015/02/21
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]MRI is not really helpful at this stage. An old adage is: ?When tumor is the rumor, tissue is the issue? Prostate biopsy is usually recommended, it?s the only way to actually make the diagnosis. Ancillary tests are for staging purposes. ?Normal? PSA increases with age, sometimes "Free PSA" is done to help discern. Here?s another good source of info: <http://www.mayomedicallaboratories.com/test-catalog/Clinical+and+Interpretive/81944> Phil > On Feb 21, 2015, at 10:11 AM, Sonny Carter <sonc.hegr at gmail.com> wrote: > > Steve, > My PSA was taken after a lapse in treatment as I had changed Physicians > because of pain issues. It turned out that the new physician adored > testing, and gave me every kind of test except a PSA. > > When his direction yielded no result in the pain issue (neck), I returned > to my regular phyhsician who noted I hadn't had a PSA in some time. The > resulting number was so high that he called me at home to ask me to come in > for a repeat. > > The upshot is that I went to an urologist that our family had good > experience with, and after more tests (and a second opinion) began > treatment including radiation and chemical therapy, which at the time was > about the most conservative treatment. > > Regarding MRI, I have no experience, but only read about it, and know there > are cautions in that method of diagnosis. > > Biopsy is quite painful, and effects last a few days, but it does reveal > small tumors, that some MRI machines/software misses. > > Age issues? I was 64 at the time, and of course the news about Dennis > Hopper got my attention. > > Sonny > > > > On Sat, Feb 21, 2015 at 9:45 AM, Steve Barbour <steve.barbour at gmail.com> > wrote: > >> >> >> Sent from my iPhone >> Steve Barbour >> >> On Feb 21, 2015, at 4:35 AM, Sonny Carter <sonc.hegr at gmail.com> wrote: >> >> As in all things medical, it is essential to make certain of the >> credentials of your physician. >> >> This is one area that gets an abundance of research, and a good share of >> fakery as well. >> >> In the few years since I heard my news, diagnosis and treatment have >> advanced tremendously; MRI was not an option then. Don't be deceived, >> though, make sure the equipment is capable of seeing small tumors. >> >> Cancer cells won't hurt you much, it's the tumors that do the damage. As >> Steve said, most men will get prostate cancer cells if they live long >> enough. >> >> Find a doctor you love and trust. You're embarking on a journey that will >> take a while. You might as well get a bus driver who will deliver you >> safely on the trip. >> >> This disease changed my life in more ways than I can tell you, and I won't >> go into all of that here, but this past December, I got the good news >> again >> that I'm cancer free. That's always music to my ears. >> >> >> I have two questions Sonny. >> 1. If you will be requesting an MRI is it wise to get a baseline MRI, like >> now? >> 2. As I recall, George had an apparent rise in PS.A. from 3. To 7 >> something in about 3 years.... So roughly a doubling... Seems slow, >> questionable?? Meaningful? >> Your thoughts? This sort of result in 6 or 8 months would get my >> attention. Any experience with this? rate of rise? I would do a PSA again >> now just to validate the numbers. >> I would take this off the list now unless others may find this sort of >> discussion helpful to them. >> >> >> >> Sent from my iPad >> >>> On Feb 21, 2015, at 12:26 AM, Steve Barbour <steve.barbour at gmail.com> >> wrote: >>> >>> >>>> On Feb 20, 2015, at 5:23 PM, George Lottermoser < >> george.imagist at icloud.com> wrote: >>>> >>>> thanks for weighing in on this Steve. >>>> I'd hope to hear a bit from you. >>>> >>>> Though I'm confused by the metaphor? >>>> are you referring to the Medical System Bus? >>>> or >>>> are you referring to the bus i'm on as i continue on my journey? >>> >>> >>> George, >>> >>> Live your life fully and enjoy it. At this point the "bus", or the >> trajectory of the workup to be done, are one and the same... I see no >> reason to do other than what you have said George. >>> >>> Whether you consider old guidelines, or the new ones, or ignore them >> both and use common sense, I suspect you have findings that ask for some >> resolution. >>> >>> Be aware of any new symptoms, listen carefully to expert advice, get >> second opinions, obtain an MRI, follow PSA values closely, if the apparant >> rise continues, or not, or if it reverses, it will be important and must >> be >> confirmed. >>> >>> I am not a urologist, I am a non expert, so I can only tell you what I >> would do, if I found myself in your situation...I have no interest in this >> approach beyond your own. You must be comfortable and feel free to discuss >> it with loved ones and your doctor. I sincerely hope this will help. >>> >>> Steve >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>>> >>>> My thoughts at the moment: >>>> okay. I'll make an appt with a urologist. >>>> I'll listen to what he has to say. >>>> unless given a helluva good reason to do otherwise >>>> I'll follow the most conservative, non invasive means of monitoring my >> prostate >>>> i.e. mri before biopsy - etc. >>>> >>>> thanks again and have a wonderful weekend. >>>> >>>> a note off the iPad, George >>>> >>>> On Feb 20, 2015, at 6:36 PM, Steve Barbour <steve.barbour at gmail.com> >> wrote: >>>> >>>>> hard to conclude now, that it's wise to stop the bus. >>>> >>>> _______________________________________________ >>>> Leica Users Group. >>>> See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information >>> >>> >>> _______________________________________________ >>> Leica Users Group. >>> See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information >> >> _______________________________________________ >> Leica Users Group. >> See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information >> >> _______________________________________________ >> Leica Users Group. >> See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information >> > > > > -- > Regards, > > Sonny > http://sonc.com/look/ > Natchitoches, Louisiana > 1714 > Oldest Permanent Settlement in the Louisiana Purchase > > USA > > _______________________________________________ > Leica Users Group. > See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information