Until the 1980s, prostate biopsies were guided by finger touch, after which a large needle with a pair of cutting blades sliced off three core tissue samples measuring one inch long. Today's modern biopsy techniques and the alternative techniques of the future are mild in comparison.
Transrectal Ultrasound
Designed in the 1990s, the transrectal ultrasound, or TRUS, is the only way we have of diagnosing prostate cancer today. An ultrasound-guided imaging technique evaluates the prostate, then a spring-loaded, handheld ultrasound probe, or biopsy gun, fires small needles through the rectum into the prostate gland. It sends a sheath to retrieve core samples of suspicious areas of the prostate.
Referee Centers
Referee centers may be the wave of the future. Centers such as the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center and John Hopkins have second opinion pathology experts to analyze biopsy results, minimizing slide evaluation mistakes.
Telomerase
Telomerase is an enzyme in ejaculate fluid which increases in the presence of a cancer. Through future testing methods of this substance, a viable alternative to biopsy may be possible.
RT-PCR
RT-PCR, or reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction, is a potential alternative to biopsy that will utilize a future technique to seek out cancerous cells in the prostate.
Automated Cytology
Automated cytology is the study of cells. In the future, through this method, labs will take semen samples which will be used to search for malignant abnormalities in cells.
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