04-07-2021, 01:50 PM
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#1 | | Senior Member (male)
Join Date: Dec 2019 Location: Alexandria, VA USA
Posts: 187
| Results from my Seventh Prostate Biopsy
Last Friday I had biopsy number seven as part of my twelve years in Johns Hopkins’ Active Surveillance program. This biopsy was different, as I requested the imaging be done in real time using the ExactVu micro-ultrasound. After nine previous MRI’s with gadolinium contrast, I didn’t want any more of those chemicals. The cores were taken with the Precision Point transperineal access system, under local anesthesia. No antibiotics necessary.
Just got the report on MyChart. No cancer found. Twelve systematic cores plus two identified as targets by the micro-ultrasound PRIMUS software (similar to PIRADS). One core had HGPIN, but that is a non-concerning typical finding for me.
I have had Gleason(3+3)=6 cores found on several previous biopsies. But, subsequent negative biopsies are apparently common for men on AS.
For a prostate cancer patient, I am very fortunate. My wish is for all of you to see encouraging results in your future.
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04-07-2021, 03:14 PM
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#2 | | Senior Veteran (male)
Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Annandale, VA, USA
Posts: 2,823
| Re: Results from my Seventh Prostate Biopsy
Congratulations now, and keep those grand reports coming!   
Jim
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04-09-2021, 10:27 AM
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#3 | | Member (male)
Join Date: Jan 2020 Location: Columbia, MD
Posts: 51
| Re: Results from my Seventh Prostate Biopsy
You are the poster person for AS.
I was not a candidate for active surveillance. Even if I was, I'm not sure I would have opted for it. I don't think I have the personality to accept living with a disease that can be removed.
It takes a certain personality to be able to accept living with cancer in your body. It also takes an understanding that active surveillance is ACTIVE. Regular PSA checks (no big deal) and annual or every other year biopsies (bit of a deal - it is an invasive procedure). It is not a forget about it and ignore it treatment with zero after affects.
I've seen you warn guys that active surveillance is ACTIVE.
Keep up the good work in informing folks about it and exactly what it involves.
__________________
Dx at age 63 March 2017
Prostate Cancer 3+4 Open RP May 2017
PSA detectable May 2018, single digit .1 2 digit .06
August 2018 2 digit .07
November 2018 2 digit .10
6 month Lupron Shot Dec 2018
Salvage Radiation Jan - Mar 2019
Nov 2019, June 2020 Nov 2020 PSA undetectable
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04-09-2021, 11:41 AM
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#4 | | Senior Member (male)
Join Date: Dec 2019 Location: Alexandria, VA USA
Posts: 187
| Re: Results from my Seventh Prostate Biopsy
Quote:
Originally Posted by DaveinMaryland  You are the poster person for AS.
I was not a candidate for active surveillance. Even if I was, I'm not sure I would have opted for it. I don't think I have the personality to accept living with a disease that can be removed.
It takes a certain personality to be able to accept living with cancer in your body. It also takes an understanding that active surveillance is ACTIVE. Regular PSA checks (no big deal) and annual or every other year biopsies (bit of a deal - it is an invasive procedure). It is not a forget about it and ignore it treatment with zero after affects.
I've seen you warn guys that active surveillance is ACTIVE.
Keep up the good work in informing folks about it and exactly what it involves. | Thanks, Dave,
I have been with groups of long time AS men in various Zoom sessions. When some of them say that they haven’t seen a doctor in years, have Gleason 7, and rely on diet and supplements to protect them, I have to take a deep breath and shake my head.
They boast that they are on AS, but not to my thinking 🤔
The living with cancer part is not hard for me, but I realize that some just can’t be at peace, or sleep at night, thinking about it. I have actually told a few like that to request surgery, if that is what will calm them. No sense living in a mental Hell.
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04-10-2021, 06:26 PM
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#5 | | Member (male)
Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Highland
Posts: 89
| Re: Results from my Seventh Prostate Biopsy
Congratulations on another good result, ASA. May this trend continue on forever more. 
Chuck
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04-23-2021, 01:31 PM
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#6 | | Junior Member (male)
Join Date: Dec 2013
Posts: 14
| Re: Results from my Seventh Prostate Biopsy
Not knocking what your are doing. I'm probably there and do not know it but 7 biopsies. Looks like it would be easier to just take the damn thing out or zap it and forget about it.
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04-23-2021, 04:46 PM
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#7 | | Senior Member (male)
Join Date: Dec 2019 Location: Alexandria, VA USA
Posts: 187
| Re: Results from my Seventh Prostate Biopsy
Quote:
Originally Posted by coupe35 Not knocking what your are doing. I'm probably there and do not know it but 7 biopsies. Looks like it would be easier to just take the damn thing out or zap it and forget about it. | No way. I have participated in many forums over many years. The tales of woe from men who are suffering with serious quality of life issues have convinced me to never consider treatment unless there is a significant change in my pathology.
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04-24-2021, 02:05 AM
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#8 | | Member (male)
Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Highland
Posts: 89
| Re: Results from my Seventh Prostate Biopsy
I understand what Coupe is saying, but I have to agree with you ASA. You are a prime example of why AS is a viable option in so many cases.
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04-24-2021, 04:44 AM
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#9 | | Senior Member (male)
Join Date: Dec 2019 Location: Alexandria, VA USA
Posts: 187
| Re: Results from my Seventh Prostate Biopsy
Quote:
Originally Posted by HighlanderCFH I understand what Coupe is saying, but I have to agree with you ASA. You are a prime example of why AS is a viable option in so many cases. | Thanks, Chuck.
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04-25-2021, 12:24 AM
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#10 | | Member (male)
Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Highland
Posts: 89
| Re: Results from my Seventh Prostate Biopsy
Quote:
Originally Posted by ASAdvocate Thanks, Chuck. | You're welcome, my friend.
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04-25-2021, 09:45 AM
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#11 | | Senior Member (male)
Join Date: Dec 2019
Posts: 141
| Re: Results from my Seventh Prostate Biopsy
The 6 previous biopsies removed the cancer.
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04-25-2021, 10:14 AM
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#12 | | Senior Member (male)
Join Date: Dec 2019 Location: Alexandria, VA USA
Posts: 187
| Re: Results from my Seventh Prostate Biopsy
Insanus, while subsequent negative biopsies are not uncommon with AS men, your suggestion is possible, at least in theory.
I maintain a list of PCa treatments (34 entries) that I paste in some discussions. Maybe “needle surgery” is a possible addition😀
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04-26-2021, 03:10 AM
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#13 | | Junior Member (male)
Join Date: Dec 2019 Location: Ohio
Posts: 22
| Re: Results from my Seventh Prostate Biopsy
Quote:
Originally Posted by ASAdvocate Insanus, while subsequent negative biopsies are not uncommon with AS men, your suggestion is possible, at least in theory.
I maintain a list of PCa treatments (34 entries) that I paste in some discussions. Maybe “needle surgery” is a possible addition😀 | I did have that 90 core saturation biopsy about 2 years ago for my third biopsy. There was someone that suggested needle surgery as one possible way to remove the prostate completely. The 4th one finally found my cancer and I'm cancer-free for now.
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04-26-2021, 12:08 PM
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#14 | | Junior Member (male)
Join Date: Oct 2020 Location: Washington
Posts: 16
| Re: Results from my Seventh Prostate Biopsy
I wonder if there is some truth in this. Not that the biopsies removed the cancer but that inflammatory effects of the biopsy caused a significant increase in antibodies and white blood cells in the prostate that may have reduced the amount of cancer in the gland. Any thoughts on this?
__________________
PSA results: 9/16-12.73;11/16-13.26; 7/17-14.97; 1/18-14.08; 4/18-13.94; 7/18-17.61; 10/18-16.29; 2/19-17.09; 4/19-17.84; 6/19-17.81; 10/19-16.24; 1/20-23.14;3/20-19.41; 5/20-17.66; 7/20-20.86; 12/2-0.1
Biopsy results: 10/17-Gleason 3+3=6- Group 1; 11/18-Gleason 3+3=6- Group 1; 11/19-Gleason 3+3=6- Group 1 Increases in PSA even with no change in biopsy results indicated the need to begin treatment. Decided on IMRT.
Lupron injection #1: 7/20; Markers and spacer placed 8/20; Lupron injection #2 10/20
Radiation treatment began 9/15 and ended 11/06: 39 sessions at 200cGY per session
Side effects of radiation general fatigue and painful frequent urination treated successfully with Flomax. Stopped using Flomax after 2 months due to it causing a severe dry cough. A cough is a listed side effect. Switched to saw palmetto with no decrease in effectiveness. All in all not a bad marathon to run.
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04-26-2021, 12:17 PM
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#15 | | Junior Member (male)
Join Date: Dec 2013
Posts: 14
| Re: Results from my Seventh Prostate Biopsy
Quote:
Originally Posted by guitarhunter I did have that 90 core saturation biopsy about 2 years ago for my third biopsy. There was someone that suggested needle surgery as one possible way to remove the prostate completely. The 4th one finally found my cancer and I'm cancer-free for now. | 90 times. Is that a misprint. I cannot imagine laying on the table and being stab 90 times. Were you awake.
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