All about prostate biopsy
A prostate biopsy is a test that is done when the PSA value in the blood test is high or when changes in its size or shape are observed during rectal touch, which is definitive for detecting or confirming a diagnosis of prostate cancer.
- Prostate biopsy doesn’t hurt.
- But it can be uncomfortable and.
- For this reason.
- It’s usually done under local anesthesia or light sedation.
- However.
- After the test.
- The man may have burns in the area.
- But it will happen in a few hours.
This test is indicated when the prostate appears hard or enlarged and when the PSA result is:
The test should be repeated when your doctor is not satisfied with the result of the first biopsy, especially if there are:
Watch the video below and discover other tests your doctor can do
The biopsy is performed with the man lying on his side with his legs bent and adequately sedated. The doctor then performs a brief evaluation of the prostate using a digital rectal exam, and after this initial evaluation, the doctor inserts an ultrasound machine into the patient’s anus, which guides a needle into the prostate.
This needle pierces the intestine and collects various pieces of tissue from the gland and surrounding regions, which will be analyzed in the laboratory for cells that may indicate the presence of cancer.
The price of a prostate biopsy varies between 200 and 500 reais, depending on the location chosen.If cancer is suspected, your SUS may perform this test for free, but making an appointment can take a long time.
Biopsy preparation is important to avoid complications and usually includes:
After a prostate biopsy, a man should also take the prescribed antibiotics, follow a light diet for the first few hours, avoid physical exertion for the first 2 days, and maintain sexual abstinence for 3 weeks.
Prostate biopsy results may include
When the result of the prostate biopsy is negative, your doctor may request a repeat of the test to certify the results, when you suspect the result is incorrect.This review should be completed in 3-4 weeks.
Since it is necessary to pierce the intestine and remove small pieces of prostate, there is a risk of complications such as:
After the biopsy, some men may experience mild pain or discomfort in the anus area due to scarring of the intestine and prostate; If this happens, your doctor may recommend using certain gentle pain relievers, such as acetaminophen, for example.disappears a week after the test.
The presence of small bleeding in underwear or toilet paper is fairly normal during the first 2 weeks, even in semen, however, if the amount of blood is too high or disappears at 2 weeks, it is advisable to see your doctor to see if there is any bleeding.
Due to injury to the intestine and prostate, there is an increased risk of infection, especially due to the presence of various types of bacteria in the intestine, so after the biopsy, your doctor usually indicates the use of an antibiotic.
However, there are cases where the antibiotic is not enough to prevent infection, and therefore if you have symptoms such as a fever greater than 38 degrees Celsius, severe pain or a strong urine odor, it is advisable to go to the hospital to identify if there is an infection and initiate appropriate treatment.
Although this is rarer, some men may experience urinary retention after biopsy due to inflammation of the prostate, caused by the removal of pieces of tissue; in these cases, the prostate eventually compresses the urethra, making it difficult for urine to pass through.
If this happens, you should go to the hospital to remove the buildup of urine in your bladder, usually done with the installation of a bladder tube.Better understand what a bladder catheter is.
This is the rarest complication of biopsy, but usually goes away within 2 months of the test.In most cases, biopsy does not interfere with the ability to have intimate contact.