Serious question. Hope Dr. sees this. I have prostate cancer?

Question

i was diagnoised with Prostate cancer 18 months ago. i had an biopsy done and out of 12 biops only 1 cancer cell showed up. I have recentely lost my urologist due to insurance. He explained everything too me and for forty-five minutes I listened along with two of my children. After all was said and done I decided on the "wait & watch". He said something else may kill me before my prostate cancer. He said if a male lives long enough he will have "prostate cancer".

Now to the new Doctor, a Navy Dr. that I am not thrilled about. First of he does not believe in the "Wait & watch" theory. In December he wants to do another biopsy regardless what my PSA level reads. My PSA was 5.2 last examination, and anything over 4.0 you should have a biopsy.

This Navy Doctor does not believe in the "watch & wait". He wants to do another biopsy regardless what my PSA level is

Should I go see my original Urologist even though I want be covered with Insurace; i.e. just for a second opinion.

Answer 1

I didn't understand your question, however frequent PSA is recommended for close follow up of your case.....

Answer 2

If you have a diagnosis of Prostate Cancer, it doesn't matter if there was cancer in only 1 out of 12 cores of biopsy, it's still cancer. Therefore, there really is no reason for you to repeat a biopsy. The next step is either expectant management, surgery, or radiation therapy.

However, regardless of what people say, there is often no straight, cut-and-dry answer as to what to do in prostate cancer treatments.

Not having more information on your history, for now I'll make the assumption that your prostate cancer was detected because of a slightly high level of PSA with a normal prostate exam and the biopsies you had were positive. This means you have a clinical Stage I cancer. Given your PSA level, it is pretty unlikely that your cancer has spread else where (especially if your prostate exam did not reveal any nodules. It might be a little different if the exam was positive.) The other important info to know about is the Gleason Score of your prostate cancer. If it's 7 or below, it's a low-intermediate grade, if 8 or greater, then high grade, and the aggressiveness of the cancer is higher.

It is important to look at all of the prognostic indicators of your disease in order to have the best idea of whether your cancer is an aggressive one that is dangerous, or a more benign one less likely to cause problems. Staging, PSA, and Gleason Scores together will help the physician to make a diagnosis. For instance, if all of the clinical information suggest good prognostic disease, and if you are otherwise well, Watch-&-Wait (aka expectant management), may be a very reasonable approach. The decision regarding what to do, ultimately comes down to you: are you someone who is ok to live with cancer, or are you someone who can't stand it and need it to be treated as aggressively as possible?

One thing patients sometimes forget is that if you go to a specialist, you'll get what he/she has to "sell." Remember, cancer treatment, especially prostate cancer, requires a multi-disciplinary approach. You might consider getting an opinion from someone besides a urologist. Seek the advise of a medical oncologist, who is not vested in doing surgery or giving you radiation, and may be able to give you additional information.

Answer 3

I am assuming the VA urologist is the one who told you to do another biopsy. I think I would seek a 3rd opinoin and then decide. You may be eligible for seed plant radiation depending on what your MD says.
I am a cancer RN and I would hate for you to leave your prostate troubles to "wait and watch". Prostate cancer is nothing to mess around with. Take your biopsy result to a 3rd urologist and also speak with an Oncologist and decide how you want to proceed and dont wast any more time.
5 is a high PSA, but not the highest I have ever seen. I think the navy doctor is trying to protect you from cancer spreading.

Answer 4

If you feel more comfortable with this urologist and want to pay the money, then by all means go. However, your new doctor is taking a more proactive approach to your health. It's worth it to do biopsies, especially since you do have the prostate cancer to begin with. Some doctors, especially older ones shy away from tests and procedures to save patients time and money and stress. However, this is not the best approach for many people. Give this new doctor a chance, he does things differently and that could end up saving your life. Better safe than sorry.

Answer 5

Have you checked to see if there is another Navy doctor you can go see for a second opinion? It's very important to be comfortable with the response you recieve from the doctor. We were given 10 minutes with a urologist and then fought to get approval to see a second one. The second one spent an hour with us and answered all our questions. Then we had another fight to get approval for the second urologist to do the surgery. There are several books out there that can give you enough information that you will know what kinds of questions to ask. Also I would suggest you go online to the American Cancer Society. There is a lot of help there. Good luck

Answer 6

Once you're diagnosed with prostrate cancer.
What's the point for another second opinion and more biopsies? Doctors are notorious for that.
That's all you need to add to your psychological stress. More tests, more probings, more biopsies and more sticks. The first biopsy is good enough and the test of PSA levels.;for monitoring.


Now, you want to know what intervention are they going to take. You should go back to the Navy dr. Getting treatment from a military hospital is good as they are more radical. You don't want somebody to p@ssy foot around for a diagnosis like that. You might need surgical intervention AND chemotherapy to arrest any spread.

If there was only 1 cancer cell, that's a good prognosis. All you need is radiation therapy to attack and reduce it. Regardless, you should be in the care of an oncologist, who specializes in cancer. If the oncologist determines that the cancer is advanced , he might recommend surgery. You might have to have that prostrate surgically removed and still go for a round of chemothrapy to be on the safe side.

I know of a lot of patients surviving from prostrate cancer after the surgery. You have to regulate your diet. No more diet hgh in animal fat or red meat. If your cancer was early detected as your case sounds.; you have a good chance of having the cancer arrested. But you shouldn't waste any more time.

I strongly urge you to go to the navy dr. and lay your cards on the table. He sounds like the guy for you .Ask him to refer you to a surgeon.and an oncologist. Even if the oncologist requests another biopsy. At least you are in the right hands. A word of caution, biopsy as well as surgery tend to cause metastasis. So you need that chemotherapy to avoid metastasis as it's on a systemic basis. . Radiation is good if the cancer is contained and hasn't spread as you can't radiate the whole body. Urologists and all internists for that matter tend to be more conservative. You don't want to apply the "wait and watch " theory for Ca. Time is of the essence. Don't let them play russian roulette with your life.


You are bound to incur more expenses along the way. So stick with the one with insurance.You don't really need the added stress. Try to maintain a positive attitude. Don't give up on yourself.

When my mother was diagnosed with cancer, this Dr. suggested liver biopsy. I said no,it's painful. He says it's not. Okay, try it on yourself., I said.

All of this advice, I'm giving you are derived from my long years of experience as a professional nurse. And also from my personal experience. Usually, the doctors don't discuss
to you, the patient, the full details. Some of them are new and inexperienced. And nurses like me, interact with the patients on a daily basis. So we are more aware of the medical as well as the reality and practical aspects.

Try to pray to God. I'll keep you in my prayers. Pls let me know how it goes. I hope you make the right decision.

Homeopathic and holistic approach to medicine is good but not for cancer.

Answer 7

Take a look at the site below which explains many misunderstood things about the cancer industry, and has some natural cures too.

Cancer
http://dgwa1.fortunecity.com/body/cancer.html

Answer 8

The decision what to do is yours, not your doctor's. You can try to impose this kind of status with your current doctor. Or you can try to find a doctor who believes in the "Wait & watch" approach and accepts your current insurance.

Answer 9

the wait and see method could be you wait and see it spread real quick. have the biopsy done just to be sure.