Prostate Cancer

[csc14]

I have been told that the biopsy samples are each 12mm in diameter and either 15 or 17 cm long. That is a little less than a 16th of an inch in diameter and over half an inch long. My urologist wanted to take 10 samples that size. That seems like a lot of sample to take for me. I drew those dimensions in Autocadd to get it exactly the right size. Seems like way to much. I don't see how the prostate could still function very well after such a biopsy. Have any doctors ever though of developing a sample method that does less damage?? Has anyone seen the samples after the test??

[kdunbar]

Suggest you check these measurements.

[kenshelor]

That is what I am trying to do.

I have tried asking 2 urologists and 2 nurses. They say the the samples are "small", "very thin" and "not anything to worry about." The last nurse never called me back. None of the 3 three had even the vaguest idea what the dimensions of sample were in inches or millimeters.

One of the doctors could not explain how the sampling device works.

So now I am asking you and I get, "better check those dimensions."

I would like someone who knows for sure to give me the dimensions.

Or send me one of the sampling divises that has been used and I will figure out how it work and what the sample dimensions are and post the answers.

[kdunbar]

The measurements you originally gave did not make sense. Biopsy samples are tiny, no more than a millimeter thick, after all they have to be viewed under a microscope. The surprising thing is the Urologists were unable to tell you this and reassure you. You could check this out with your Pathology Lab. Prostate cancer is not one big tumour, but a series of small foci generally confined to one or two areas of the prostate. Normally 12 samples are taken, in my case 5 were positive and 7 negative. The procedure was painless although uncomfortable for the few minutes it took, I considered it to have been 'life saving'.

I don't remember your PSA figure, but it seems you need reassurance (as we all did), may I suggest you obtain a copy of Dr Patrick Walsh's Guide to Surviving Prostate Cancer(see chapter 6 re biopsy) from your Library or from Amazon. This unquestionably contains all the answers on Prostate Cancer anyone could ask, plus a few more. If you have prostate cancer, a biopsy is the only way to confirm it, and determine it's degree - caught early it can be cured.

If I can be of any further help, just ask.

KD

[kenshelor]

Thanks for the information.

I did have Dr Walsh's book at one time and don't remember that information.

I will go to the library and look at chapter 6.

Thanks again.

[prostatecancerdoc]

The dimensions you gave are not right. A 15-cm biopsy is 6 inches. Not a chance. Please recheck with your doctor.

[kdunbar]

This is undoubtedly incorrect as I have previously advised.

Good Luck,
KD

[plvsny]

I don't now about size, but I just had 12 samples taken. For my safety more is better, in my case 3 samples confirmed cancer. I'm just glad- poor choice of words, but they found it, it was small, and appears to be confined. Its coming out.