You’ll probably get a care sheet from your urologist. Maybe you found a website with a list of possible side effects on the internet. Beyond that, there aren’t a lot of reports with personal experiences from a prostate biopsy. Probably for obvious reasons. Most guys don’t want to talk about it. Some are just too tough or too cool to tell it like it really is. With a careful Google search, you can find some personal experiences on the procedure. There are even a few horror stories. If you’re squeamish when reading about unpleasant medical complications, STOP READING NOW!
According to the link above from the Mayo Clinic, here’s the original summary from 2009 of what to expect:
After a prostate biopsy, you’ll probably need to continue taking an antibiotic for a few days. You may feel slight soreness and have some light bleeding from your rectum. You may have blood in your urine or stools for a few days. You may also notice that your semen has a pinkish tint caused by a small amount of blood in your semen. This can last for more than a month.
The first part is pretty much right on the money, in my experience. It’s that last part that may not be completely accurate. In fact, a number of respectable institutions fail to mention this issue at all on their information. Here’s the squeamish part. A pinkish tint doesn’t begin to describe it. Initially, we’re talking dark, blood red, as if you have a serious medical problem. Now, there’s no pain or discomfort involved, the systems works just like normal in that regard, it’s just disconcerting to see it. Your wife, girlfriend or other woman may not be as sympathetic about this sort of thing as you’d like, given that they have dealt with a similar issue since puberty. Even so, you should probably consider having condoms on hand and using them.
This may not be the case with all men after a biopsy, but it doesn’t seem uncommon from what I’ve read. I find it interesting that I wasn’t once told about this possibility and it wasn’t on my care sheet, either. You’d think they’d at least mention it to avoid getting panic calls from guys who didn’t do a little research before the procedure. Well, if you’re going for a biopsy, consider yourself warned. Maybe it won’t happen to you. I hope not!
Also see my guide for recovery, side effects and complications from my second biopsy, and read the hundreds of comments with personal experiences from other men below.
For those looking for worst case scenarios, like infections or spreading cancer, you can find that too. These are some of the things that worried me enough to postpone my biopsy in the first place. Some websites go overboard, perhaps trying to use fear as a motivator to get you to consider their alternatives. It’s a powerful motivator, but however small, there are some serious risks that should be considered. For most men, the complications are minimal. A little pain, some blood and obviously the anxiety of waiting for results. Nonetheless, I think patients should be made aware of all possible risks so they know if they need medical attention or not.
Originally published Mar 9, 2009. Minor update, March 9, 2019.
Hi Guys, got my biopsy results, bad news; Gleason score 4+4 carcinoma of the prostate.
Booked for radical prostatectomy on 4th July. No other treatment possible apparently.
Good news; MRI scan and NM Bone scan seam to show no spread of the cancer outside the prostate. Also procedure being carried out using keyhole surgery by a top notch surgeon; a Mr John Donohue (google him, interesting) very high success rate.
Will post here when it’s all over. Fingers crossed.
Just got results, no cancer! What a relief. Follow up PSA in 6 months.
I am 55 yrs old, PSA went from 2.7 to 3.6 in a year. Had Biopsy last Friday, waiting for results.
No blood anywhere for a couple days, then have had some in urine daily, but not much. Still way too scared to try ejaculation based on everything I have heard.
Hope to get results today, but may not have them until Monday.
Best of luck to all
Great Forum.
I had mine yesterday. It wasn’t as bad as I thought. My issue is that I haven’t been able to go poop since the operation. I normally go in the morning when I wake up but now I am way past due and have no urge togo. I am having a lot of gas but no poop. Going pee no problem no blood.
Would like some info. on this .
Thanks
Rich.
Thanks for that Darren, done a little bit of googling after i posted it and found out their meanings, should maybe have thought about that first before posting, but at least i have a better understanding from someone like yourself who can explain easier rather than reading from a medical point of view. Just a little update received my follow up appointment in today :Tuesday 3rd July (19 days after my biopsy), was rather hoping for something sooner but thinking they are really busy and thats why its another 2 week wait or (fingers crossed) they have found nothing and im low on the priority list (here’s hoping)
just a question if anyone can answer: Doc has never mentioned PSA or BPH and i’ve seen this posted quite a lot on here, what do they stand for and what do they mean, as in if a high PSA is that bad? Just interested as i said never heard the doc or urulogist mention this, cheer again
Hi Mark: PSA = Prostate Specific Antigen, a substance that is related to the size of the prostate and has increased levels in the blood if your prostate is enlarged or overactive for any reason (prostate cancer is only one possible cause of elevated PSA in the blood). BPH is Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia, another diagnosis of an enlarged prostate. High PSA is not necessarily bad. It is an indicator that your prostate is producing more PSA for some reason, perhaps an infection or something else. It may or may not result in any other symptoms. There is much debate as to how useful PSA levels or even changes in PSA levels over time are in the diagnosis of prostate cancer.
Alright guys, glad i found this site. First off im 38 had recurrent kidney & urinary tract infections for about 6 years, was referred to urulogist for further examination. He recommended a Cystoscopy again (had 1 around 4 yrs ago – no problems reported) and a TRUS procedure. I’ll start with the pain – cystoscopy more uncomfortable the painful, worst part is when it passes through the bottom of your urethra after that no probs, the biopsy was again initially uncomfortable didnt really bother me the probe, but i will stress i had the 12 samples taken 6 each from left & right side of prostate and up until the 4th one didnt really notice much pain but the 5th & 6th!! jesus they were sore, dont let anyone fool you, the 1st and 2nd days after never noticed much blood but by day 4 i thought i would never stop peeing blood and there where quite a few conjeled clots too, reading and asking the docs this was to be expected but still a bit worrying at first, not tried ejaculating yet a bit scared to be honest, blood doesnt worry me its just the thought, anyway had ultrasound, blood samples, x rays and all back normal, asked the urulogist after he examined the prostate and he said all looks ok to him so just waiting now on the results of the biopsy, told 1-2 weeks for follow up so just wait and see now. Hope everyone who posts are keeping well and on the road to recovery, best of luck guys. God Bless
Lots of same. 2nd biopsy. 10 years in between. Rising PSA from 2. something to 9.6. More painfu several hours after than during with numbing. 1st biopsy negative. 2nd tbd in a week or so. Scary waits. Concerned with all literature regarding “18 reasons NOT to get a biopsy”.
I am 57 and had my second biopsy last friday. Different from the one I had 9 years ago; as I was under a general this time and missed feeling all of the weird sensations. However, all of the after effects have been the same. Three days later still have blood in the urine and seminal fluid is bright red. Had the antibiotics and Ural powder to help with any burning. Now waiting for it to subside – the things we need to do….By the way, the more often you ejaculate the sooner it clears – and the ejaculate looks scary.
i forgot to say im in my early thirties
Had my biopsy the day before yesterday, not a very nice experience but had to be done, felt all six samples, he said it would be like a bee sting but having never stuck a bee up my arse i wouldnt know, anyway it hurt a bit, not sure the anaesthetic worked but it wasnt unbearable by any means. I was told in the leaflet to expect blood in pee and poo for 24 to 48 hours, its over 48 hours and have stopped defecating blood but still getting it at end of urinating, a little freaked out but not in pain. Have got one antibiotic left to take they make me a feel a bit spaced out and slighty emotional. Have been too scared to ejaculate since and probably will be for a while. Prostate massive represent !
Holly smokes some of the comments about having sex hours after the procedure, yikes I have no intention of even trying that for at least a month, I am scared.
The procedure was fine, the injections, 12 of them did hurt a bit, some more than others. Still some blood in the urine at first, is that normal? Had the procedure done five days ago.
Thanks
I’m 62 and have been treated for BPH for the last 11 yrs. My PSA has bounced around between 1 and 3. I have been on Flomax for 11 years but last May, my urologist suggested that I also try Avodart. After 6 months on Avodart they again did a PSA and it was 1.5. On Avodart you double it making it 3.0. Last month I had another check up and they did a digital. He thought one lobe was now bigger but no bumps or hard spots. The PSA came back as 2.5 or double that = 5.0 and my PSA free was 10. I had the 12 core biopsy yesterday. The worst part was the initial insertion of the ultasound probe. After the procedure I had a slight amount of blood in my urine but a lot of bright red blood from my rectum. The urologist called to check on me last night and thought that I might have some internal hemmorhoids causing the bleeding. The bleeding from both ends stopped this morning but I still get intense pain when I have a bowel movement.I get my results in a week. If there is any cancer I’m going to ask for a prostatectomy. I know that might not always be the best choice but I don’t want to be looking over my shoulder the rest of my life waiting for it to get worse.
well guys,, went to Docs last month psa,,,4.6 5.6 so he suggested a Rectal scan ,,wow so went to the main man in Kidderminster hospital absulutley gem of a guy,,TWO fingures later ,,OMG the pain,he hurt me, but he recons no prob
but asked ir I would like a rectel scan,,he ASKED ME do i want one its free,,, so Michael goes into the day centre gets his pills popped, undresses, taken into op theatre by wonderfull sister,,meets the wonderfull polish surgeon,, tells me all ,, ok we shake hands,then i lie down normal position, hold sisters hand, she tries to take my mind off it,but OMG pain killer or not jesus christ the discomfort,,he put the camara in my bum, wow,,then came the needles, that was ok,, then came the biopsy samples taken, OH my god felt every one of 5 ,,but all over in 12 mins,,i did ask did he see any thing in the scan, NO was the reply,but wait for the results,, only bleed i had was in the recovery room and that was expected, loads of blood, have had none from rectum,, but scared in masterbate, seems a lot but still earky days 4 to date 6th june
no more blood in pee or bum just in semen,,and I asked for this Volunteraly WOW ,hope its good result,,,
Had a TRANSRECTAL PROSTATE BIOPSY eight days ago. Following the procedure some blood and clots in the urine but nothing in the stools. After a few days all stopped until today when some more blood and larger clots.
However, and can anybody help please, following a self induced orgasm (OK, a wank); I am not producing any ejaculate. No seminal fluid or sperm at all. This has never happened to me before. I am urinating normally with no pain or fever or other symptoms.
I’m half way in my first year of Active Surveillance after a Gleason 6 biopsy last Sept. and have another biopsy set for August. With a lot of controversy over PSAs this last year I thought it may be interesting to relate the results of my series of PSAs over the past year and a half in sequence to the present: 2011: 8.0, 16.0, 11.0; 2012: 9.9 and, just a week ago, 7.6. It’s more than ironic that the PSA “acceleration” from 8.0 to 16.0, led to my 2 biopsies in 2011—the first negative, the second positive—and my PSAs DECLINED since then. Presently, my tumor has been defined as “small”, as per MRI, and in 2 low volume cores. I personally agree with recent medical studies which infer that PSAs are inaccurate and often give rise to gross over treatment. It took 28 cores in my saturation biopsy to identify 2 positive cores with only 3.5 % identified PCa of core volume. Even with confirmation of PCa, through biopsy, low risk cancers (slow growing), continue to be treated by prostatectomy or radiation in about 90% of cases, with severe negative effect on quality of life, including ED and incontinence. These were the options given to me. Active Surveillance is not popular with urologists, or at least is seldom recommended, notwithstanding statistical data that supports it as a viable alternative to invasive therapies in the over 70 age cohort. It permits a normal lifestyle indefinitely or until the medical evidence supports the more aggressive procedures. I wonder how much worse off I would be had not my spike in PSA not given rise to my biopsies…a total of 40 cores in 3 months. This should become clearer as I proceed with AS.
Hello all. Best reading for info I have found yet. 52 here, & went to Urologist for possible low t issues, & doctor wanted to do a DRE first. (Digital Rectal Exam) Said my prostate felt ‘irregular’. Went for a PSA test & it came back 2.3. He said a prostate biopsy was recommended because of the irregularity of the prostate. An oral antibiotic started the night before the procedure, an injected antibiotic right before the procedure. The procedure itself was very uncomfortable, but not terribly painful. An ultrasound probe inserted into the rectum for pictures, to determine were to remove cores from, then 4 numbing shots through the colon wall to the prostate which were not as bad as I thought they were going to be, then 16 core samples were taken, most of which were painless, although 4 or 5 were similar to the numbing shots. Some minor bleeding in stool for the first day, minimal blood in urine on the second day. Negative results back in 4 days. Followup PSA in 1 year. On the evening of the 4th day decided to do a ‘semen check’ to celebrate my negative results. Was NOT prepared for what I saw. I was told some possible blood in semen for up to 2 months. This looked like a blood ejaculate. Very scary stuff, although apparently ‘normal’. Think I will be waiting several more days to try that again. No pain, just shocking to see that much blood, when you are expecting ‘some blood in the semen’. LOL. I hope this has helped someone to understand their upcoming biopsy, & best of luck to all.
I just got back from my check-up with my doctor. He tells me one tumor is almost entirely disappeared and the other larger one has been reduced in size by over 50%. There is no progress toward the bladder, which is fantastic. (Bladder cancer kills). Moreover he said there was almost no measurable flow of blood to the tumor sites, which is even better news. He explained the tumors need an increased blood flow in order for growth, and the absence of blood is a great indicator that things are going in the right direction.
All this using ONLY Marijuana Oil for the last 5 months!
I hope anyone who has been told they have prostate cancer tries Marijuana Oil! I AM LIVING PROOF IT WORKS!
Can you be more specific on what exactly u are taking? Capsules for instance of what dosage?
I’m 58 and had a PSA of 4.4. I had a biopsy and was nervous of the results. A week later it showed no cancer, just a high PSA level due to a rather large prostate. Although the biopsy procedure and 4-5 week recovery was tough to go through, it was worth knowing. It was tough to pee, lots of blood and in ejaculate, but it does stop and get better! It was this website forum that helped me through it. Thanks to everyone!
I Have been blessed to read all who have posted since back in Feb. Wish I had stumbled onto this blog prior to my Prostate Biopsy back on 4/17/12. I Had a 14.85 PSA in March and a follow-up 9.35 in April that lead to the advice to get the biopsy. Wished I had looked into BPH reduction ideas prior to the Biopsy. The word is cancer free for me even with such high PSA’s The Post biopsy difficulties of blood in the ejectulate and slight discomfort during urination I’m hopeful will deminish as I am now almost 1 month post procedure. The best advice I can provide is make sure your Doctor does Not leave you with questions. Mine did but when he told me I was cancer free I kind of let him off but it would be much better if they would let you know what to expect. After all that is part of their obligation. God Bless each and everyone who posted it has helped me to not feel so in the dark!!! Thank you all!!!
Just had my first ever biopsy due to my PSA steadily increasing over the last several years (currently 10.1) Thankfully I was asleep during the whole thing. Three hours later still having difficulty urinating but no blood in my stream yet. Followup in 2 weeks. If surgery is indicated I will probably opt for the Robotic since my Urologist offers it. Would like to hear from anyone who has had the robotic procedure.
I’m 58, my PSA came in at 8.3 during a routine physical. I was referred to an urologist. Following 12 samples, one was found to have cancer. I was rated extremely low and allowed to continue on a cross-country bicycle ride. I will follow up with my doctor in September.
What concerns me it has been two weeks and there is still blood (slight) in my urine sometimes during a bowel movement. The blood is a very dark dirty color. Is this normal, if so how long should I expect it to continue?
Harvey
You have all of that right, Wayne! Good luck to you.
For my part, I am now looking for a bladder cancer forum like this one because the exam yesterday found that my bladder has to be operated on. We are hoping that it is confined to the interior of the bladder wall…
I wish everyone well as I move in a new direction.
Cliff
As a follow up. Received my results yesterday. 7 of 12 cores positive for pc. Not the news I wanted but good news is Gleason 6. Have visit to discuss options next week with a second opinion scheduled at Johns Hopkins te following week.
Leaning towards removal as I see no point in waiting till it gets worse and perhaps beyond the curable stage. Will wait to find out the recommendations.
Meanwhile I’m glad I got it done and know. Ignorance is not bliss and although these things are uncomfortable it’s better to know your options early n.
Good luck to you, Rick!
To continue my saga, my wife and I met Dr Scardino at MSKCC yesterday. My PSA is now back to 2.99. His pathologist agreed with the first reading: Gleason 3+3, 11 of 12 samples clear, and 5% of bad sample only with cancer. He ordered a MRI, whihc did not show any prostate problems. HIs team feels that family history at the grandparent level is not a major concern, especially when the cancer was detected at age 75.
He advised active surveillance, with a second biopsy at the end of June. If I get the same results, the next (3rd) biopsy would be in another 3 years.
No sonner than we were home than his office called to say that a technition saw something in the MRI whihc makes them want to take a closer look (transurethral) in the BLADDER. Holy crap!!
Cliff
As an update. Five days post biopsy and both urinary and rectal bleeding seemed to have subsided. I haven’t had the courage to try the semen part yet. Maybe in another day or two. Of course, still waiting on results which stinks. Praying for a good outcome and glad I had it done regardless.
60 year old otherwise healthy male experienced my first biopsy yesterday. Although I have had a history of prostatitis, my Psa has been 7.4, 10.4, 7.7 and 9.9 respectively in the 6 months. Opted for 12 core biopsy at my local urology doctors office. I asked for and received one Valium to be taken 45 minutes prior to the procedure as well as the standard dosing of cipro 4 days prior. Also received an injection prior to the procedure due to my prostatitis. Truthfully, antibiotic injection probably hurt worse than anything. Biopsy procedure, although uncomfortable, was not terrible. After the lydacaine was injected no pain just some pressure or pinching with each sample. But after the procedure the doctor and nurse both left, said goodbye and said I could just leave. Fortunately my wife, a nurse, was with me and found me some tissues to clean up with. I was shocked at the amount of blood from my rectum. Had to jam tissues up there just to get home. Once home massive rectal bleeding with clots that prompted a call back to the octor.. They advised I raise my butt higher than heart and if not stopped in 30 minutes go to er. Fortunately it stopped.
So now 24 hours later had mild blood in urine, still pressure in rectum with mild bleeding this morning. Not nearly like yesterday. Haven’t even thought about semen at this time although not looking forward o it. I’m wearing pany liners , what fun, just in case. But so far no accidents, thank goodness.
Obviously awaiting results and hoping for good outcome as we all are. I would encourage all to get the test as it is not a big deal. I think the problems I’m having are more from the doctor than the procedure. Still would get it done just to now. Good luck to all.
Richard:
I was told I had a hard spot on the right side, had the biopsy of which 2 samples were positive for cancer. My PSA had risen from 2.8 to 4.3 in 12 months. I had a Perineal prostatectomy six months ago and so far my PSA has been below zero. You can follow my posts on this blog. Good Luck
Had a TRUS type biopsy 4 days ago which is the in hospital more through type. My PSA has steadily grown from a 2.5 four years ago up to almost a 6 now. No symptoms, no problems with getting up during the night. Typical side effects from the biopsy. This is my second one. Had one two years ago that was negative. Get the results in a week, wish me luck.
was wondering, how many people have been told they have a hard spot on the right side of the prostate, had the biopsy, and it has been ok.
Living life fully:
The robotic surgury is more and more commmon. It is even available in Norwalk, CT. To learn about it, either contact a hospital near you that offers it (they are looking for customers and happy to brag about it) or get a book on prostate cancer, preferably “Dr. Peter Scardino’s Prostate Book” or Dr. Patrick Walsh’s “Guide to Surviving Prosatate Cancer.” Also see the Charlie Rose interview of Patrick Walsh on line. Good luck!
Ray LM:
From what I have read, you should be getting attention if you are bleeding after 4 months. Call your urologist or even go to the emergency room.
Raymond T:
I am still wanting to go the active watching route, and if I had had 33 clean cores and only 2 with a 3+3 like you, I would almost surely wait. So far I have only 12 cores, a bad family history, PSA acceleration and I am “only” 67, and so I remain open to the idea that I should have a radical prostatectomy (but not robotic), and half expect Dr Scardino to tell me to do it. More after I see him in early May.
Cliff
i was told i should have a biopsy if it rise to 10?it was 7 that was december 2010.. may 2011 i had a heart attack and 2 stents later and 11 month im just just feeling ok i walk mailes every day.. but the first 4 month was bad.. oh yes stopped smoking to.. anyway im going to have a biopsy 19 april.. lucky for me im not on blood thiners. only asprin. im not worried about the pain or anything like that because i was faceing a bypass.. so i know what it all like.. its just the man thing you know.. but i surpose i have to think it needs doing and im going for it on the 19th wish me luck.. oh yes thanks men for all the coments it good to talk .
I had the biopsy 4 months, usual signs thereafter bright red everything. After a couple of weeks back to normal. Now after 4 months more blood (urine and semen) – has anyone had this effect too? – is it the prostate again or something else?
Cliff: I’m in you camp. There is no way I’ll opt for ANY robotic or photon therapy with a Gleason 3+3 in 2 of 35 cores in a 4 month biopsy period. My tumor is minimal and fully contained in MRI and CT diagnostics. I have a second opinion (MD Anderson) that Active Surveillance is justified. I’m in a very aggressive monitoring program that calls for PSA’s every 3 months and an annual biopsy that can be extended to 18 months if slow or now growth is indicated. At age 72 there is no way I’ll chance the ED or incontinence of any therapy unless it can be demonstrated to me it is of life saving necessity.
Ultimately, it’s what a male with a PCa diagnosis can live with, given the diagnostics he’s dealt. Most go for removal or radiation and that’s their choice. I suggest that the most recent studies bear out, on a statistical basis, that men in my age group would do well to get second and third opinions before they give up their quality of life…perhaps unnecessarily.
This site is most helpful.
My husband had a biopsy this morning and is resting now while I gather information. On March 15th, MO wrote regarding a procedure done at John Hopkins via a Robot. I would be interested in more information.
Thank you and Health to each one and your families here represented.
I am 58 years old, with a PSA that went from 3.4 to 5.5 last fall. Had biopsy on March 15, 2012. Uncomfortable times 3, but the worst was afterwords. No recovery time, no pain pills, just a put your clothes on and leave. In the elevator going from floor 2 to floor 1, I passed out in my wife’s arms. I don’t remember arriving on floor 1, and the next thing I do remember was somebody asking me to sit in a wheel chair. I passed out a second time, before they had an ambulance take me to the hospital where I spent 4 hours. Now no after effects except the bloody semen, and doc says all samples were benign. I told him I need more recovery time.
My last post was 1-28 after I decided to have surgery. Had the surgery 3-22 and stayed in the hospital 3 days (my surgeon is very cautious). Back home with a catheter for about 2 weeks, the drain and staples come out on Tuesday. The pain was/is minor. It’s over and I can proceed with the rest of my life without anymore biopsies or other prostate cancer related issues, it’s a big load off my shoulders. Did alot of research and second option before decision…highly recommend the same. No regrets.
Further to my biopsy results, my wife and I met with the urologist who did my biopsy, and he felt that despite having had 2 clear DRE’s and 11 of 12 samples clear and the 12th with 5% of a Gleason 3+3, I would do well to have radiation or surgury to remove.
He had not calculated my PSA density and had not tested for free PSA, and seemed to think that these indicators were only of interst before a biopsy. Both the Scardino and Walsh books say otherwise. Also, his discussion of the pathology was not very detailed. He is clearly not adaquately informed about this C stuff.
Where I do agree with him is that I need to have another reading of the biopsy.
MJK: thanks for the heads up re the cost of that!
I am hoping to have it done at MSK in NYC, and then meet with Scardino, but I am checking out the insurance first.
I continue to lean toward attentive watching given the Partin and other tables probabilities, assuming that the new reading of the biopsy is not a higher Gleason.
The litterature seems to say that I can watch for a year without significant risk of having my cancer leave the gland, and then maybe another year and then another.
If my grandfather and his father had not had PC, this would be an easier choice.
Cliff
MJK- obviously I’m not a physician so I can’t advise you about watch and wait type of philosophy, but on the other hand one more PSA and/or a second opinion only takes a couple weeks extra time so not really much of an issue there since your first biopsy was negative.
Pete B- glad to hear your results were negative also!
Darren, I decided to change the appointment for a follow up biospy to a regular office visit. It does seem like it would make sense to just monitor PSA for now. Also, I was wrong about the biopsy not being painful, because I spoke before I got the $2,880 lab bill. The doc’s office assures me that I don’t owe that and they’ll straighten it out.
Okay I’m back with results. Orig post 3-14-12.
Recap: PSA went from 2.0 last year to 28.8 this yr.
All 14 biopsies were negative!!
Although there is no documentation to support my theory, I feel this was a result of my Still’s disease flare up. Will be discussing with my rheumatologist on next visit.
Bless you all.
Pete
Had my first biopsy on March 8…I am 52 yr old and low psa of .08, but dre was firm on the right side found by my gp and then confirmed by urilogist so we did the biopsy. Proceedure was not horrible, (I think the doctor and his/her skill level has alot to do with it) Lasted about 20 minutes. Seems like I have had the same experience as alot of the guys..very little blood in stool or urine, but first ejaculation after 4 days was bright red and very bloody. Scared the $^&**&^^ out of me..After one week did again and this time it was dark brown. Everything seems to work fine..just a little unsettling. The good news is that my biopsy came back negative on all counts..but the waiting is awful. My DR. called me as soon as he got the results..I was very thankful..
I originally posted on December 20, 2011. At that time I was awaiting the results of my biopsy and what I am writing here is the continuation of that post. The results came back with 1 sample out of 18 positive with a Gleason score of 3+3. The preliminary evaluation classified it as a type T2a. My urologist made an appointment for me to see a radio therapist in a major hospital nearby. My visit with the RT was uneventful in that I wanted to know my options in radio therapy and the radio therapist laid down my options. The external therapy was out of the question for me due to scheduling conflict. FYI, the external therapy consists of 6-8 weeks of 5 days per week visits to the hospital for external beam radiation. The second option was what is commonly known as seeding (Brachytherapy). In this method some 40-80 (depending on the size of the prostate) seeds will be implanted in the prostate glands. Generally speaking depending on the half-life expectancy of the seed (about 3 months), your body stays radioactive. This means that certain precautions must be taken if you choose to go this route. Namely, you cannot be near a pregnant woman or hold a child on your lap or stay within 3 feet of someone else for more than hour. As the radioactive seeds lose their potency, these restrictions can be eased. There are some side effects. ALL TEREATMENTS (INCLUDING RT, OR SURGERY) HAVE SIDE EFFECTS. Some less than others and the impacted area may be different. Following that visit I scheduled another visit with the urology department of the Johns Hopkins University and Doctor Alan Partin. Doctor Partin is the inventor of the Partin table. Google Partin table to see how you can make an educated guess of what your conditions may be and what is the best method of treatment. After that consultation and after reading 6 books and numerous medical journals and articles and based on my conditions I opted for a Robotic Laparoscopic Prostatectomy, in which a robot, named Da Vinci, made by IBM with the help of Johns Hopkins University is used to remove the prostate glands. The advantage of this method is that it is less invasive ( 5 holes size of 1cm each as opposed to a cut of 5-7 inches for Radical Prostatectomy), quicker recovery and nerve sparing. One of the books that I read was by Dr. Patrick Walsh the father of nerve sparing radical Prostatectomy, another one by Doctor Alan Partin which describes the stages and options for treatment in details. The nerve sparing option is very important in regaining and maintaining continence and impotency. I would be glad to share this information with others if you so desire. By the way there are other options namely the freezing of the glands, hormonal therapy, and actually wait and watch option. They all have their advantages and disadvantages that are described in these two books. I had my operation on March 5. I stayed in the hospital for one night and came home with a catheter that I had to keep for 10 days. On March 14 after 10 days and with proper instructions from the doctor I removed the catheter myself and decided to go back to work. I have a desk job that does not require me lifting anything heavy and I have the freedom of getting up and walking when I need to. Right after the release from the hospital and while I was at home I was walking around 30-45 minutes every day and that helped with the recuperation. Couple of days after the surgery I was notified that the results of the pathology from examining the removed glands also confirmed the 3+3 score with no impact to the surrounding tissues, lymph nodes or bone. That certainly was good news. At 11 days past my surgery I am almost at 90% back to normal with 2 side effects. 1- Impotency and 2- minor incontinence. I am told that these are temporary conditions and will get better as time goes by.
Lessons learned: If your PSA and DRE suggest a BPH or possible cancer get a biopsy. Educate yourself as best as you can to make an appropriate decision. If you are having surgery get a good surgeon who has done a few hundreds of these procedures. In my case I had two of the best, Doctor Alan Partin and Doctor Mohamad Allaf (his specialty is the robotic surgery). Stay positive.
Feel free to contact me for any additional info.
MJK, I got the preliminary report by phone yesterday: 11 clear, 1 with a “small amount of low grade cancer.” We meet with the doctor next week for a more detailed report and a discussion of the options. So my findings seem like yours.
I just learned that not only my grandfather, but also his father had prostate cancer, and so caution is in order for me, but at least it is not already out of control.
ANON: I have been having Digital Rectal Exams for about 30 years as a normal part of my annual physical. I once challenged it as “unscientific,” but have since learned that the doctor really can feel abnormalities, and if s/he does, it can be cause for concern. It is very quick, but somehwat uncomfortable, and there are no after affects or side affects. It is a very small price to pay for early detection. As for the biopsy, this string shows the many experiences we are all having. I was very worried about pain, and wanted the TWILIGHT anesthesia I learned about here, but it was not easily available to me. Instead, I was given a medication to calm me down/ relax me and lessen any pain. Then the application of the local anesthetic seemed to me like something less than the DRE, and the pain from the needles was very tollerable even for me with my low tollerance for pain. If you ever had a sygmoidoscopsy (another part of my annual physical when I was under my employers’ executive plan, it is FAR more unpleasant. If you are over 55 and have not had the latter, or better yet a full colonoscopy, you should. Early detection can be the difference between life and death.
Cliff
Darren, I agree it’s a little aggressive, but I had a PSA jump from 4.2 to 5.5 in three weeks. I believe for this biopsy they’ll concentrate on the area around the one questionable core. If the second biopsy is clear or the shows the same kind of undetermined cells I’ll just keep monitoring PSA and hold of on more biopsies for a while.
MJK, Consider that PSA has significant daily variations, even more if the prostate is affected by sexual activity, riding a bike, etc. Also, there are no doubt variations from lab to lab as well. Anyway, no harm in a second opinion and perhaps one more PSA test before another biopsy!
Cliff and mo- I wish you and everyone else with similar biopsy results the best with your choices for treatment.
Hi guys, I’m 52 yrs old. Dec 25th of 2010 I was hospitalized for a kidney stone blocking my left kidney, after a lithotripsy (sonic shatter of the stone) I was able to pass the stone. My urologist scheduled a Followup exam for Jan 2012, KUB X-ray and a PSA test. Routine right? Nope. My PSA went from a 2 in March of last year to 28.8 now.
Back in 2008 I was diagnosed with Still’s disease. If I over exert myself too much, all my lymph nodes start to swell and I have to take a round of prednisone to get things back in check. The week before I did my blood work I was trudging around the desert in Las Vegas, lake Mead, and the Hoover Dam. I got back home a few bucks lighter and feeling like I had a flare up from overdoing it on my vacation. I attributed my low back pain, right hip socket pain, and slowed urine stream to the Still’s and started my prednisone treatments.
Urologist says there is no correlation between inflamed lymphatic system and prostate, so he scheduled a biopsy. You guys are much more polite in describing this experience than I am going to be. It was like having anal sex with a sewing machine! The numbing shots didn’t take effect as quickly as I liked and of the 14 samples I fel 9 of them intensely.
My first bowel movement wasn’t till 2 days after the biopsy. By then the bloody urine had almost completely gone away. That was until I passed that first stool. I looked down and there was blood dripping from the end of my penis. And the same for days later.
There have been enough descriptions of thick blood pudding semen ejaculate, so I’ll leave that alone.
Now the frustration of waiting on results. The more I read about people getting tested with their PSA jumps 1-2 points worries me event more since mine jumped 26.8 points in less than a year.
I am clinging to the premise that excessive jumps in PSA are more commonly attributed to prostatitis and lower numbers above 4 are potential cancer markers. I’ll let you guys know when I find out.
My prayers go out to each of you.
I had the biopsy and got a negative reading on all 12. Now on monitoring PSA closer. I was a little allarmed by the blood in the semen since the DR. didn’t mention bloody there. Glad I found this site. Saved me a call.
I subscribe to Nitrition & Healing and they mentioned the new Color Doppler TRUSP (color ultrasound). It is new and there are only 12 physicians in the US using the procedure. It is supposed to be more reliable and eliminates the use of the needle biopsy. Maybe they will be more plentiful by the time I have to have another one. At 71 I doubt if I’ll have to take too many more. My family doctor is a prostste canse survivor so he is very cautious with his patients.
Beware claims of using ultrasound to detect early PC. I had a 3D color doppler U/S and my opinion is that it was a complete waste of time for detecting small tumors. You can read about my experience in various blog entries at this website. Even high resolution 3T MRI imaging is not yet able to do this. At best, doppler US can detect areas with increased or decreased blood flow, but my understanding is that this is not a conclusive way to predict PC. Anyway, perhaps things have evolved rapidly in a couple years, but the physician I saw to do this was one of the very few using it at the time and seemed mostly intent on selling me books, supplements and followup procedures.
Darren – I didn’t know that the biopsy was still the better of the available tests but I was told by the doctor it was ‘very reliable’.
I already know my prostate is larger than it should be, I found that out after a ‘routine’ pre-release from hospital ultrasound scan of my kidneys just to check they were fine before I went home (hospital stay was not related at all to prostate or anything associated with it).
So I told my GP about it but I had to ask for a PSA test, I was not offered one.
Following that result I went back and a) refused DRE b) accepted biopsy. What was the GP going to discover by examining me that I did not already know, with some accuracy, which the size of the prostate.
If some doctor’s finger is even half as painful as the biopsy it is not something I want to experience and the biopsy was degrading enough for me.
Update to post from Feb 28, 2012: Biopsy results came out negative, no cancer. Big relief for the entire family. Blood in stool and urine continued for 2 days. Cleared from semen after fourth ejaculation (ie the 5th was completely clear). First ejaculation on day 5, then two on day 6, another on day 7, day 8 all clear.
Now thinking about how to get the PSA down as still very high for my age.
Good luck to all.
Great news, Michael. You are in a similar situation as me. Keep in mind that a biopsy inherently has a relatively high chance of a false negative. That’s because it only samples a very small percentage of tissue volume. Definitely keep track of your PSA in the future, especially if it increases rapidly over time. You might also consider getting a baseline reading for PCA3 in a urine test at some point. Also, be sure to get annual exams to make sure no nodules appear. Most likely, we have BPH or prostatitis or some other benign cause of an enlarged prostate which can be managed. If you don’t have symptoms and your PSA isn’t increasing quickly, your urologist may not even prescribe treatment, depending on your specifics.
Just to add, I wasn’t given an option of a different type of biopsy or any greater level of pain relief or sedation.
Regardless of results, I don’t think I will be going back.