If prostate cancer is suspected, your doctor might want to take a biopsy of your prostate. A biopsy is when a small piece of tissue is taken from an organ in order to get a closer look at cells that may be abnormal. For prostate biopsies, there are three types of procedures that are currently used.
Transperineal Prostate Biopsy
The transperineal biopsy involves making an incision in the perineum, the area between the scrotum and the anus, and then biopsying prostate tissue through that incision (prostate-cancer.com). With this procedure, the doctor will typically obtain six to 13 samples of prostate tissue. Side effects can include soreness and tenderness, as well as blood in the semen for one to two months following the procedure.
Transrectal Prostate Biopsy
According to the Mayo Clinic, the transrectal biopsy procedure is a common choice for a prostate biopsy. After numbing the area, the physician inserts a thin ultrasound tube into the rectum and the area the doctor will biopsy is located via ultrasound. The device that will perform the biopsy is also placed by ultrasound guidance. When the device is in place, the physician will use a spring-propelled needle to biopsy thin pieces of the prostate. Typically, the doctor will obtain ten to 12 samples of the prostate. Soreness and light bleeding are common post-surgery occurrences, and blood in urine, stool and semen may also occur.
Transurethral Prostate Biopsy
In a transurethral prostate biopsy, the doctor will put a cystoscope into the urethra and look at the prostate through the scope. A cutting loop is inserted, which helps cut off small pieces of the prostate for the biopsy. This may be done several times to get samples of various areas of the prostate. Soreness and slight bleeding are side effects of this biopsy.
