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Prostate Biopsy
Trans rectal Ultrasound scan and biopsy are carried out by inserting a probe into the rectum (back passage). This is slightly more uncomfortable than the finger examination you already had in the clinic and by your Doctor.
IMPORTANT NOTE:
If you are on Warfarin or other anticoagulants (blood thinning medication) or long term aspirin or non- steroidal anti-inflammatory (arthritis) drugs - You may need to stop them for a week and may need to have a blood (clotting profile) test two or three days before the biopsy to assess if you are at any undue risk of bleeding.
This procedure can be carried out under a short general anaesthetic or by injection of local anaesthetic around the prostate. You may feel a sharp jab when the biopsy is taken. It is more of a discomfort than pain and should not alarm you unduly. In all usually 16 `thread-like' pieces are taken and sent to the laboratory for analysis. The reporting will take approximately 10 days. |
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There may be some side effects after having a biopsy
1. Infection:
To prevent and control any infection, you are given a course of antibiotics. Please take one tablet daily, starting on the day of the biopsy. You can eat and drink normally and take all your other medications as usual. Please finish the rest of the tablets after the procedure, taking one a day as before. If you do become unwell and start feeling feverish with chills and rigors, you need urgent admission and intravenous antibiotics. Septic shock is a rare but dangerous complication.
2. Bleeding:
A small amount of bleeding (either as small clots or red coloration) almost always occurs following biopsy. This can be in the stool, urine and/or semen. It can happen on the day and for a few days after biopsy and some times recur after an interval of days or weeks. None of this should be torrential. If it worries you or makes you feel unwell, please get in touch me either directly or through the Rivers Hospital, as soon as possible and inform them, that you had a prostate biopsy.
3. Retention of urine:
Occasionally you may find it difficult to pass urine due to swelling of the prostate gland. If you cannot pass urine and start becoming uncomfortable from a full bladder, get in touch at once and you may need to be admitted and catheterised.
We sincerely hope that you will not develop any of the above complications, but if you do need to contact me all my contact numbers are on the home page.