Lump found on DRE

[n1brp]

Hi all,

My name is Jim; I’m 53 with a family history of PC, father and two uncles on father’s side; father died 10 years ago at the age of 78 from PC. I have had been diagnosed with BHP for the last 10 years. I haven’t been diagnosed with PC yet, will be getting biopsy on 21 Sep. at the VA Hospital in Boston.
The Urologist that I was using only did a DRE every other year and my PCP never did one, both are with my military HMO not the VA. I was on Cardura for the BHP but started to have high eye pressure and vision black outs. I was placed in the VA hospital for an evaluation for stoke, which was negative and was ask to stop the Cardura to see if things might get better, which it has. I did a follow up with the Urologist I had and he disagreed about stopping the medication but my urination problem got better also. He was also seeing me about a kidney cyst which he said was nothing to worry about. Well, at this time I thought that it might be a good idea to get a second opinion by the VA to see if my problem (blood in urine) was my kidney or my prostate. The VA Doc went over my info reading the ultrasound reports on my kidney and my PSA results then the DRE was done, she is going to redo all my blood work to get the results up to date in the VA system. She said that my prostate was enlarged on the left side and there was also a lump and with my last PSA of 1.4 and a family history she wishes to do a biopsy.

I'm now doing research, research!!

Any advise or opinions?

[sp11]

Two observations and both are only my opinion. The first is to have a "free" PSA done with your blood test - any reading below 25% should be followed up.

My second would be to have as much work as possible done out of the VA system. I recently read an article where the VA was contacting men who had had a biopsy done at VA hospitals as there had been impropr disinfecting of instruments - namely the "prostate biopsy transducer". It did not state which facilities, but don't think I would want to take the chance.

Just my opinion.

Major

[n1brp]

Major,
Thanks for the reply.
When I go back on the 9th I’m going to ask if a free PSA was done and if not will request one.

In the article about the improper disinfection of equipment, the letters were sent from 21 Veteran Centers, the only one I found named was Columbia, Truman Veterans Hospital in Missouri. Putting all that to the side, if it wasn’t for the VA, I would have never known about the lump. My other Urologist never said anything about a lump. When I needed neck surgery it was the VA that said I needed it, my HMO said there was no problem. There are good Veteran Hospitals and some very bad ones, needless to say more bad then good. I’m sure by now there is a very close eye on how the equipment is disinfected. Don’t get me wrong I have heard many a horror stories about treatment in Veteran Hospitals but so far none from the one I use. My cousin was almost killed by a VA Hospital in PA and feels the same as you don’t walk but run from there care. This is not to say I’m going to have surgery at the VA that depends on if I need surgery and what type they offer, would I have the Urologist from the HMO see me again I’m not sure. With all the HMO Urologist working from the same office I don’t have much choice there, if I use the HMO.

Jim

[sp11]

Jim:

Glad you were aware of the equipment problem. I'm sure you are right and that there are some very good VA facilities.

Keep us posted on what your test on the 9th turns up. There are other options besides surgery in most cases.

Good luck.

Major