Test result report

[Suds4me]

Going to my urologist Tuesday for psa results and 3rd Lupron shot. Has anybody asked for their biopsy test results or xrays to see what the doctors go by? I have all my blood work results from the last 15 years but I don’t have any paperwork or results from my biopsy or radiation treatments ( other than what they tell me during my appointments in person). Has anybody asked for the results to study and look at?

[Hidden]

I don't know regarding the irradiation planning, as I didn't have one. As regards to my biopsy, further to the original report I borrowed the slides and got a second opinion. I believe this is, internationally, the norm. I also have the complete MRI and CT imaging.

You should ask and get them. It is your medical file data and fully entitled to possess them and make use to your discretion.

[Suds4me in reply to Hidden]

Hi justfor. You mention getting the slides. Would I get them through my urologist , or where they did my biopsy? I already had my radiation treatments ,finishing them up in February 20th. This whole process took us by surprise and fell so far behind the 8 ball by not having all this information by now. Wouldn’t it be a little late for a 2nd opinion after I had all radiation treatments and 2 Lupron shots? Thanks

[Hidden in reply to Suds4me]

In my case it was the public hospital where from I borrowed the slides. It is considered their property, but also obliged to give copies of the patient's medical file and in the case of not being able doing so, like for biopsy slides, to provide them on a lender's basis. I returned the slides after having my RP along with a copy of my pathology report. This is a good thing for the general interest, as the initial biopsy pathologists can compare their findings with those of the RP and gain useful experience for the future.

Since your treatment has been decided and already performed it doesn't make sense to ask for the slides now. On the contrary, if you are staged as high risk, it does make BIG sense to ask for tumor samples in order to have them genetically tested. They keep the biopsy samples in paraffin and can give you a tiny portion of them for gene culture and evaluation against known genetic disorders. I do not know whether your insurance will cover the genetic test cost which is quite expensive. Also, if you leave it for the future, it may be wiser to have a new biopsy, I understand that you still have your prostate, as tumour cells morph with time and by treatment.

The administrative way for doing this is three-fold:

1) Your doctor will have to prescribe the genetic test and make the request to the current samples holder.

2) It is preferable to have already decided upon the lab that will perform the genetic testing, as labs employ different submission specs and so it is best to skip any in-between entity by directly sending them from the holder to the lab.

3) You will have to authorize the whole transaction, as it is quite certain that the samples holder will request a copy of the genetic report and here your personal data rights come into play.

[Tall_Allen]

Yes, definitely ask for it.

Ask to see your isodose plan and your dose volume histogram from your radiation oncologist.

[Magnus1964]

Your Uro should be willing to procure all tests and give you a copy.

[Suds4me]

Thanks for the information

[dadzone43]

Yes. I have copies of biopsy report, pathology report from RP and all the imaging studies. It is about _you_ and there should be no hesitancy in asking. And no hesitancy from your clinician in providing the information. One of the words in HIPAA is "portability "

[rocket09]

I get a print out of everything from my urologist on everything that happens.