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Does anybody know much about, or has had one of these babies? I here they are brutal in that they can take as many as 60 "core samples" from your prostate. I'm afraid this will do permanent damage to the prostate anyway even if one has cancer (which is bad enough already). I personally am scheduled to have a rather extensive (2 hr)DCE-MRI (Dynamic Enhanced MRI) on the 26th of Nov. and if I "pass" this, that is have only a unilateral, focal tumor, I will next be required to have this other biopsy. Since it took 2.5 months to get the blood out of my semen previously with a 10 core biopsy, I am not looking forward to a 40 to 60 core biopsy! If you have any experience with this, please let me know. Thanks - Rick
I have no first-hand knowledge of this type of biopsy, although I do have my thoughts on the subject (which I will hold off on sharing until I get more information). So, could you tell me: are you in a study? I ask because you say that you HAVE to have this 60 core biopsy? Also, I googled "focal prostate tumor" and got only references to focal therapy. So, could you give some insight into your "unilateral focal tumor". Also, I would be interested in knowing what your PSA history is. Thank you.
Yes, I am in a clinical trial in which there are various tests required to determine whether or not one has a solitary "index" tumor on one side of the prostate, which would be unilateral or unifocal and if this is in
fact the case, then the tumor itself would be removed leaving the balance of the prostate substantially intact and functional. The "saturation" biopsy is required to "prove" the absence of any other clinically significant tumor. My current PSA is 9.8. This has been steadily rising over the last year and it is felt that the standard watchful waiting is no longer suitable but that a radical approach such as complete removal by surgery or EBRT may not be necessary. This approach seems to provide the best of both worlds between radical "disposal" of the whole gland and the monitoring or "do nothing" approach as I see it. Rick
Thank you Rick. Since you are in a clinical trial, where your options are not your own (other than to participate), I will not voice my opinion on procedures and only wish you the best. Let us know how it goes. Good luck!
