A prostate biopsy is a necessary element of the diagnosis for prostate cancer. Preparation for the procedure is simple. The operation is fairly noninvasive, although some discomfort and minor side effects can be expected.
Preparation
Men undergoing a prostate biopsy will need to do a home enema before the procedure. Medications that affect clotting of the blood should be halted temporarily ahead of time, according to the Mayo Clinic. Antibiotics are administered before and after procedure to minimize the risk of infection.
Identification
The Mayo Clinic and American Cancer Society (ACS) report that there are three different ways to perform a prostate biopsy; the surgical instrument can be passed through the anus and into the rectum (transrectal biopsy) or the prostate can be accessed through the urethra or through an incision in the perineum. The transrectal biopsy is the most common.
Procedure
A spring-loaded tool is used to remove several small sections of tissue from the prostate. According to the ACS, removing each section of tissue happens very quickly, in under a second, and should only cause a small amount of discomfort.
Features
The ACS reports that a local anesthetic may or may not be used to minimize discomfort during the biopsy, and concerned person should ask their doctors if this will be administered.
Time Frame
According to the ACS and Mayo Clinic, a prostate biopsy takes between 15 minutes and half and hour, and results take between one and three days or more to develop.
Side Effects
A prostate biopsy can cause soreness, blood in the urine and bleeding from the rectum as well as causing semen to be somewhat red. The Mayo Clinic recommends contacting one's doctor if bleeding is long-lasting or heavy, pain becomes more intense, there is swelling in the area, trouble or pain while urinating, fever or penile discharge.
Tags: prostate biopsy, Mayo Clinic, transrectal biopsy
