A prostate biopsy is a diagnostic procedure used to detect prostate cancer. It involves a needle being used to take a sample of the prostate gland, which is located below the bladder. The procedure is usually done after other tests indicate the possibility of cancer. While potentially life-saving, there are risks involved, such as infection and bleeding. After the biopsy, the samples are examined to determine if cancer is present and to develop treatment options.
A prostate biopsy is a diagnostic procedure used to determine if a man has prostate cancer. The prostate is a gland that only men have. Shaped like a nut and quite small, this gland’s job is to produce a fluid that is important for the movement and nourishment of sperm. The prostate is located below a man’s bladder but in front of his rectum.
A needle is used to take a prostate biopsy, also called a core needle biopsy. This needle is wielded by a special type of doctor, called a urologist. He or she specializes in dealing with the male reproductive organs and those involved in urination.
Usually, a prostate biopsy is not the first test done to diagnose prostate cancer. Some of the tests used before this procedure include a digital-rectal exam and a prostate-specific antigen test, which is a type of blood test. If the results of these tests indicate the possibility of prostate cancer, a urologist may suggest a prostate biopsy as the next step.
Prostate biopsies are potentially life-saving, as they can allow doctors to detect cancerous cells and perform treatment before the cancer can become advanced enough to take life. However, they are not without risks, such as those related to infection. In fact, infection, while still a rare complication, is considered the most common risk of this type of biopsy. When the infection develops, it usually affects the urinary tract or can involve the prostate itself. Usually, these infections can be treated successfully with antibiotics.
Bleeding is another complication that can develop after a prostate biopsy. For example, a man may bleed in the area where the biopsy was taken. Some men may also notice blood in their semen after the procedure. Blood in semen after a biopsy is not considered harmful, although it can persist for several weeks. Men should avoid blood-thinning medications after this type of biopsy unless their doctors have approved their use.
Some men may have trouble urinating after this type of procedure. However, this effect is usually only temporary. In some rare cases, a doctor will need to insert a catheter to allow a man’s bladder to empty. After a prostate biopsy, a doctor will examine the biopsy samples to check for cancer and other abnormalities. If your doctor finds cancer, further evaluation is needed to determine its likely growth rate and develop treatment options.
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