Prostate biopsy
Prostate biopsy is a minimally invasive procedure indicated for patients who are suspected to have prostate cancer. In this procedure, tiny samples of prostate tissue are obtained using a special needle.
Transrectal ultrasound-guided prostate biopsy
This is usually performed in the office as a day procedure. It can be performed local anaesthesia or intravenous sedation. The patient lies on his right side with his legs brought up to his chest. An ultrasound probe is inserted gently into the rectum, a special channel attached to the probe allows passage of a small biopsy needle, through the rectal wall, into the prostate. With the biopsy needle, 10 to 12 cores of prostate tissue are obtained. Additional cores may be taken from areas that look suspicious on ultrasound or MRI. The tissue samples are then sent to the pathology laboratory for microscopic examination. The procedure takes about 10 minutes to perform.
Diagram below from Cancer Research UK
Transperineal ultrasound-guided prostate biopsy
Instead of performing the biopsy through the rectum, transperineal biopsy is a technique in which the biopsy needle is inserted through the perineum (the area between the scrotum and anus). This potentially reduces the risk of infection after biopsy.
Diagram below from Cancer Research UK
Targeted biopsy using MRI-ultrasound fusion
We can utilise this technology to perform the prostate biopsy to be performed with more precision, and biopsy the area suspected to have cancer more precisely. Click on the link below to find out more.
