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Prostate biopsy is not a routine test. A prostate biopsy is performed when PSA levels are above normal and a rectal examination has detected any abnormalities. Is a prostate biopsy a painful test? How does a prostate biopsy work?

Prostate biopsyis a test in which a small fragment of the prostate is removed for microscopic examination. The prostate samples are used to diagnoseprostate cancer .

Prostate biopsy: indications

A prostate biopsy is performed when a rectal examination reveals any abnormalities in the structure of the prostate and PSA tests show an increase in its concentration in the blood. A prostate biopsy can be performed multiple times.

Prostate biopsy: the course of the examination

Prostate biopsy is performed under local anesthesia, the patient is lying on his side. The doctor introduces an ultrasound probe (transrectal probe) through the anus, thanks to which he can view the prostate on the monitor and assess its condition. Thanks to this probe, the doctor can also precisely take samples for examination.

Prostate biopsy: complications after biopsy

A prostate biopsy can have a number of complications. For example, in order to avoid inflammation of the intestine, which is easily caused by bacteria in the large intestine, a short antibiotic protective therapy is applied before the examination. Following a prostate biopsy, the following may also occur:

  • bleeding from the urinary tract or rectum, which usually stops spontaneously - if it is very strong or prolonged, or urine retention occurs, see your doctor without delay
  • rectal bleeding may last for about 2-3 days
  • hematospermia, i.e. the presence of blood in semen.

All these symptoms should go away for 4 weeks.

Prostate biopsy results: interpretation

After collecting the prostate samples, they are sent to the histopathological laboratory, where they are assessed by an expert doctor. The histopathologist gives the result of a prostate gland biopsy in the so-called Gleason scale. This scale is used to define two types of neoplastic cells dominant in terms of volume and directly correlates with the disease prognosis. Based on the biopsy result, the patient is qualified for further treatment.

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