Prostate Biopsy

A prostate biopsy is done to take a closer look at suspicious prostate tissue.

The prostate is a small, walnut-sized organ, and it produces a substance that transports and nourishes sperm.

This biopsy is most often performed to determine if a man has prostate cancer.
A biopsy may be recommended if PSA levels are abnormal or tissue abnormalities are detected.

When a Prostate Biopsy Is Recommended

A prostate biopsy might be recommended if PSA levels are higher than what is considered normal for the patient’s age. It may also be recommended if PSA levels are elevated even though a previous biopsy was normal. During a digital rectal exam, the doctor may discover abnormalities or lumps that suggest the need for a biopsy. A biopsy may also be recommended if a previous biopsy showed abnormal prostate tissue cells.

PSA levels are higher than normal

PSA remains elevated after prior biopsy

Abnormalities found during rectal exam

Preparation

Possible preparation steps may include several precautions taken before the biopsy procedure.

Giving a urine sample so that the doctor can determine if the patient has a urinary tract infection before the procedure.

If an infection is present, it will usually need to be treated before the patient can have the biopsy.

If patients take a blood-thinning medication, they are often asked to temporarily stop taking it for a few days before the biopsy.

This precaution reduces the risk of bleeding during and after the procedure.

About 30 to 60 minutes prior to the procedure, patients may be given antibiotics.

A day or two before the biopsy, patients might be asked to use a cleansing enema.

What to Expect

There are two primary methods that doctors use to perform a prostate biopsy. The first type is a transperineal biopsy. This involves going through the perineum to retrieve a sample of prostate tissue. Imaging is typically used to help the doctor guide the needle.

The most common method is a transrectal biopsy.

A small ultrasound probe is inserted into the rectum.

The probe provides images of the prostate.

Imaging helps guide the biopsy instrument.

Biopsy Procedure Details

The doctor will numb the area.

The biopsy device will be positioned.

Multiple tissue samples are collected.

The procedure usually takes about ten minutes.

The doctor will then numb the area and situate the biopsy device. From here, the doctor will retrieve prostate tissue samples. In most cases, the doctor will take 10 to 12 tissue samples for pathology to study. On average, this method takes approximately 10 minutes.

Risks & Recovery

Possible Risks

There are possible risks associated with a prostate biopsy. These may include rectal bleeding, blood in the urine, infection, blood in the semen, and difficulty urinating. These are typically temporary. However, men should talk to their doctor if they experience them.

Treatment of Infection

If an infection occurs, patients usually recover with a course of antibiotics.

Recovery After the Procedure

For approximately 48 hours after the biopsy, patients are generally advised to rest. A short-term antibiotic may be prescribed to reduce the risk of infection. Some soreness in the rectal area is possible for a few days following the biopsy. Make sure to have a prostate biopsy performed promptly if a doctor recommends this procedure. Follow all instructions to prepare and recover to make the process as smooth as possible.