Is Hard Patches On Prostate A Cause For Concern?

Posted on Sat, 11 Apr 2015

Question: Hello again,
I met with a urologist. He felt my prostate (PSA is 9). He said that there is assymetry and some hard patches on one side of the prostate. I told him that I travel for work and if I could wait to have the biopsy at the end of May (about two months). He said it wouldn't be a problem to postpone the biopsy until then (about 10 weeks). Is that good practice?

Answered by Dr. Dr. P. T. Patil (3 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Hard palpable nodule in prostate strongly suspicious of Cancer of Prostate

Detailed Answer:
Hello
Thanks for your query.After going through thread of our previous discussion you have hard nodule palpable on digital rectal examination of prostate.

Raised Serum PSA (9)and palpable hard nodule are strongly suspicious of cancer of the prostate .

Cancer of the Prostate is a slow growing tumor and you can certainly wait for 10 weeks to get biopsy done .However looking at the suspicious nature of pathology I would suggest you to get it done before you proceed for your work tour .If it turns out to be negative It will help you to get relaxed and concentrate on your work.

Hope I have answered your query ,please feel free to ask if you have more questions
I shall be happy to help you
Thanks and Regards.
Dr.Patil.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Dr. P. T. Patil (17 hours later)

What do you mean by slow growing?

How do we know that it isn't advanced? Why would a doctor wait for ten weeks to do a biopsy?

You said it could turn out to be negative. Then if it is not cancer, what is it?

Answered by Dr. Dr. P. T. Patil (8 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Read detail answers below.

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for follow up.

1)Slow growing cancer means that it takes years for cancer of the prostate to spread locally as well as outside the capsule of the prostate compared to cancers of other organ which spread very fast within a weeks or months.
2) Doing Trans Rectal Ultrasound Scanning ,C.T scan or MRI will reveal whether it has spread beyond capsule of the prostate or not
3)Biopsy is mandatory to rule out or confirm malignancy as high Serum PSA strongly suggests cancer of prostate.However It can be raised in infection of prostate (Prostatitis)
Thanks and Regards.
Dr.Patil.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Dr. P. T. Patil (18 hours later)

Thanks, doctor, for your replies.
My work takes me each week to New York City from my home in XXXXXXX I am away overnight. I am a college teacher and so I have classes to meet each week. My urologist does not want me to travel after a biopsy because of the possibility of infection and bleeding. So, when I asked him if I could put off the biopsy until the end of the semester (end of May), he said fine. He comes recommended by my GP and so I assume that his advice about my waiting will not put my health in jeopardy. I think that is what you are saying, too, that 10 weeks is OK to wait in terms of my possible cancer getting worse. Right? Regards....

Answered by Dr. Dr. P. T. Patil (4 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Yes you can certainly wait for 10 weeks.

Detailed Answer:
Hello
Thanks for follow up.

There is no harm in waiting for 10 weeks for biopsy to be done .Get it done at earliest once you finish your work..
Thanks and Regards.
Dr.Patil.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Dr. P. T. Patil (9 hours later)

Thanks for your prompt attention.
I really appreciate your "second opinion."
I just hope it is not lethal or aggressive.
It seems like the doctor gave me a thorough DRE.
He felt all around. I guess if he felt that it might be aggressive, he would not have said that I could wait.
Anyway, I feel a bit more relieved that you also said the wait is OK. Regards.

Answered by Dr. Dr. P. T. Patil (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Thanks for appreciation.

Detailed Answer:
Hello

Thanks for appreciating my opinion.

If time permits please post your review about my suggestions and pinion on the the forum of Health Care Magic com.

Thanks and Regards.
Dr.Patil.

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar