Prostate Biopsy Cancer: What Is The Procedure?

During a prostate biopsy cancer, tissue samples are collected from the prostate gland to be examined under a microscope to determine if there is any differentiation in the cells.

Because cancer cells are arranged differently and have a different shape to normal, healthy cells, it is possible to determine whether they are present in the sample when examined under the microscope. Doctors can determine the how aggressive the cancer is by the degree of differentiation.

If no cancer cells are detected, it could mean one of two things; either you do not have prostate cancer or the biopsy was taken in an area of the prostate that didn't contain the tumor. If there is a strong family history of prostate cancer, an irregularity found in a digital rectal examination or an increase in your PSA density, you will possibly need to return for a second biopsy in six months time.

Three quarters of all men tested for prostate cancer by biopsy receive a negative result, meaning they don't have prostate cancer.

You may be required to prepare for your prostate biopsy cancer by taking a course of antibiotics to help prevent infection, and you would have to stop taking all anti-inflammatory drugs because they increase the risk of bleeding. Some methods of performing the biopsy also require you to have an enema before the procedure.

There are different types of prostate biopsy, and the one you have will depend on your doctor and, to a certain extent, your choices. Sometimes a local anesthetic is used and sometimes a general anesthetic.

All methods involve the doctor inserting a cytoscope to be able to look directly at the prostate gland before collecting the sample tissue. The main difference in the three methods is which the part of the body is used to approach the prostate. These methods are:

• Transperineal biopsy: you have the option of a general anesthetic with this procedure. A small incision is made in the perineum to collect the tissue samples. The perineum is between the anal sphincter and the scrotum and consists of muscle. A spring loaded needle is used to collect the sample, being able to collect up to 13 samples at once.

• Transrectal biopsy is guided by ultrasound for the doctor to locate the prostate, and retrieve tissue, by entering through the rectum. The same spring-loaded needle is used as in the transperineal biopsy.

• Transurethral biopsy enters: under local anesthetic, the cytoscope and a cutting loop is inserted through the urethra.

As with most surgical procedures, you can expect some side effects. These include tenderness or soreness in the area, some visible blood in the semen, urine or from the rectum. Also, the anesthetic could cause you to be groggy for a little while after the procedure. You can return to your normal activities as soon as you feel up to it.

Pathologists need multiple samples for testing, and for an accurate diagnosis, these need to be taken from different parts of the prostate gland. Even with this procedure, it is still possible for a very small tumor to be missed.