well now you are getting somewhere!

In 2015 my PSA went up to 6.9. Referred for scan and when measured was very enlarged. Went for MRI and results showed hot spots that could indicate cancer. Went to Malaysia (Melaca) for biopsy. Results negative to cancer. Since then have been on Avodart (a dutasterid) one each morning and PSA is back to 1.9 (normal is below 4)
Never had any symptoms. PSA test first indication of an issue.

So far so good and continue testing every 3 months.

Scary at the time but needed the biopsy to confirm possibility of cancer or not.

I was lucky but until it is confirmed one way or another you will never know. My friend said I was a worry wart and never bothered with any testing. We buried him last November. Prostate cancer.

Don't take the risk. It is no longer a finger up the clacker it is only a blood test.

PSA test is often inconclusive. A biopsy may be more certain but prostrate cancer is a tricky bugger. Most men over 70 have prostrate cancer but it is usualy slow devleopling and you die of something else before it gets you. however the good old NHS likes to whip it out because its easier and cheaper than monitoring you. On the other hand prostatitis can be diagnosed with a urine test and treated with antibiotics, so rule that out first. never let a surgeon near you unless you have to - advice from MY GP!
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/prostatitis/

pczz wrote: ↑Sun Jan 14, 2018 10:32 am Deja Vu. this is what happened to me10 years ago. I refused to let them cut my prostrate (that is the TURB/TURP) without checking first, and when the camers went in they could find nothing wrong. Symptoms disappeared very slowly over about 6 months with antibiotics. I suspect I may have had prostatitis, which I had once before in my teens. I would definitely get a second opinion before letting them cut, maybe a biopsy. It says on the report prostrate enlarged and BENIGN

Your post is questionable due to the highlighted comment . They must go through the anus and push through the rectum wall to do the biopsy. Even with a biopsy they keep you in hospital to monitor in case of infection after puncturing the rectal wall.
They cannot get a camera into the prostate . The only way they can "see " the prostate is by physical operation (keyhole surgery or other major cut)

they do a biopsy with a gadget on the end of the camera device through the wall of the rectum. Go have it done then come back and tell us about it
https://www.healthline.com/health/enlar ... l-remedies

sorry I meant the wall of the urethra

During TURP, the surgeon inserts an instrument called a resectoscope through the penis and into the urethra. This instrument contains a light and camera to help the doctor see, and an electrical loop to perform the surgery. The surgeon uses the loop to cut away the extra prostate tissue and widen the urethra.

Fluid is sent through the resectoscope to move the cut pieces of prostate tissue into the bladder. At the end of the procedure, the surgeon inserts a tube called a catheter into the bladder to remove urine and prostate tissue. Blood vessels around the prostate are sealed to prevent bleeding. The entire TURP procedure takes about 60 to 90 minutes if there are no complications.

This procedure is to widen the urethra not take a biopsy or investigate the prostate.

Perhaps we need to highlight one aspect of Andy's story before we all forget it. He got an infection from the Kampot hospital. That's a red light. Hospital hygiene in Cambodia is a bad joke. The danger of catching serious illnesses while receiving inadequate or no treatment is very high.

In the beginning, Andy might have been better of going the other way. Taking a taxi to Rayong or Pattaya but also Satahip has a hospital. BIGGEST PLUS - whatever happens at least the public hospitals, like the Satahip military hospital or Chonburi provincial hospital dont turn you away but let you in even if your financial status is not confirmed. There is, of course, also one in Chantaburi but I dont know reports about that. The hospitals of the Bangkok group, which also runs the PP Royal hospital, are money grabbing places. I have made bad experiences with their outlet in Siem Reap.

My own resolution is that if I get sick here and I can still act, my first stop is Thailand. I would also not trust these clowns here with my regular PSA and other check ups. Sri Racha has some private hospitals that are considerably cheaper than the Bangkok group or other private Pattaya hospitals (also better than most BKK ones). Better service in terms of waiting time, very fast registration (you do not want to sit with a crowd of people you do not know what they carry), etc. For us a little more mature gentlemen the regular PSA check, ultrasound of kidneys, bladder, and prostate, urinalysis, and perhaps, yes it's true, the infamous finger should be part of our annual routine. I check every 6 months. A friend of mine does the same, it saved his life. Recovery rate is at 99++% if detected early and, added bonus, intervention is limited. Some guys need to stop talking about their dick and start taking care of it. So let Andy's experience be warning for all of us.

Pizzalover wrote:Perhaps we need to highlight one aspect of Andy's story before we all forget it. He got an infection from the Kampot hospital.

Did he? I don't recall that claim, only that a Kampot hospital found a lump.