Prostate Biopsy

Procedures we perform

ABOUT PROSTATE BIOPSY

What is a prostate biopsy?

A prostate biopsy is a procedure to sample tissue from the prostate gland to diagnose or exclude a prostate cancer.

Why is a prostate biopsy required?

A prostate biopsy may be required if you are suspected of having prostate cancer, because of:

An abnormal feeling prostate on examination.

An abnormal prostate specific antigen (PSA) blood test.

An abnormality on an MRI scan of the prostate.

A strong family history of prostate cancer.

PSA Testing

PSA testing is a blood test that measures the level of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) in the blood. It is used to help detect prostate conditions such as prostate cancer, benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), and prostatitis.

Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer is a disease cause by abnormal growth of cells in the prostate. These cells have the potential to grow within the prostate and spread to other parts of the body.

PATIENT JOURNEY

What does a prostate biopsy involve?

There are several different ways prostate biopsy can be performed.

The most common way is a transperineal prostate biopsy. It is performed under general anaesthetic.

During the proceudre a probe is placed into the rectum to give real-time ultrasound images of the prostate, helping guide the biopsy needle.

A needle is passed through the perineum (the skin between the scrotum and anus) into the prostate in multiple places to take samples of prostate tissue.

The prostate tissue samples are sent to the laboratory for testing.