A prostate biopsy is the removal of a small amount of tissue from the prostate gland. The tissue is examined to determine whether there is cancer .
This is usually done as a result of an abnormality found by:
A prostate biopsy is the only way to determine the presence of cancer cells.
Complications are rare, but no procedure is completely free of risk. If you are planning to have a prostate biopsy, your doctor will review a list of possible complications, which may include:
Factors that may increase the risk of complications include:
Be sure to discuss these risks with your doctor before the procedure.
You may be asked to do the following:
This depends on the method that your doctor uses:
Your doctor will use one of the following methods to do the biopsy:
About 30 minutes
You may have discomfort and soreness at the biopsy site.
When you return home after the procedure, do the following to help ensure a smooth recovery:
Once the sample is taken, it will be sent to a pathologist. This doctor will analyze the sample for cancer. If cancer is present, your doctor will work with you to develop a treatment plan.
After arriving home, contact your doctor if any of the following occurs:
RESOURCES:
American Urological Association Foundation
http://www.urologyhealth.org/
National Cancer Institute
http://www.cancer.gov/
CANADIAN RESOURCES:
Health Canada
http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/index-eng.php
Prostate Cancer Research Foundation
http://www.prostatecancer.ca/
References:
Causes, Natural History & Diagnosis of Prostate Cancer. American Urological Association Foundation website. Available at: http://www.urologyhealth.org/adult/index.cfm?cat=09&topic=39. Accessed November 10, 2009.
How is prostate cancer diagnosed? American Cancer Society website. Available at: http://www.cancer.org/. Updated July 2009. Accessed November 10, 2009.
Prostate cancer: diagnosis. The Urology Channel website. Available at: http://www.urologychannel.com/prostatecancer/diagnosis.shtml. Accessed November 10, 2009.
Rodriguez LV, Terris MK. Risks and complications of transrectal ultrasound guided prostate needle biopsy: a prospective study and review of the literature. J Urol. 1998;160(6-I):2115-2120.
Tiong HY, Liew LC, Samuel M, Consigliere D, Esuvaranathan K. A meta-analysis of local anesthesia for transrectal ultrasound-guided biopsy of the prostate. Prostate Cancer Prostatic Dis. 2007;10(2):127-36. Epub 2007 Jan 9.
Understanding prostate changes: a health guide for men. National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health website. Available at: http://www.cancer.gov/PDF/4dba13db-81fb-4d8d-9c2d-d0c00a048f57/prostate_booklet.pdf. Published August 2004. Accessed September 22, 2009.
Last reviewed November 2009 by Adrienne Carmack, MD
Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
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