Prostate Biopsy and Treatment

Prostate biopsy is a procedure to make the determination as to whether prostate cancer is present. This is indicated in instances where the PSA blood test is considered out of acceptable range or where the physical exam of the prostate is considered suggestive of the presence of prostate cancer.

Patients are to hold blood thinning medicines such as aspirin, ticlid, and aggrenox for 1 week prior to the procedure and coumadin should be held for four days prior to the procedure.

A prescription and instructions will be provided for taking an antibiotic prior to the procedure and again after the procedure.

Prior to they procedure patients are to self administer a Fleet enema at home two to three hours prior to the procedure.

Patients should come with a driver to get home in that there are times when patients may require some IV sedative medicines to complete the procedure.

If IV sedation is to be used, you'll need to hold off on anything to eat or drink for 8 hours beforehand.

The Procedure

• An ultrasound probe will be introduced into the rectum to obtain images of the prostate.
• A series of needle punctures are made, generally six to eight, to get a fairly representative sampling of the prostate tissue. These are admittedly uncomfortable for some and again IV sedation may be used.
• The duration of the procedure is generally less than 10 minutes.
• You will remain in the recovery area for a brief period of time following the procedure if IV sedation is used.

Post-Procedure

• Rest and avoid vigorous activity the day and evening of the procedure.
• Drink plenty of fluids for the ensuing several days.
• If you've had IV sedation, avoid driving or engaging in any task requiring quick reactions or higher level cognitive function for 12 hrs.
• Expect that there will be some blood with urination and even some blood with bowel movements for the following day or two. If there is a large amount of blood with urination, passage of clots, or inability to urinate, please call the office. (If after hours, you'll get the on-call physician.)
• Expect that there can be evidence of blood in the ejaculate for upwards of several weeks after the biopsy. This is commonly described as a rusty discoloration, isn't generally associated with discomfort, and unless profuse, shouldn't be cause for alarm.
• Don't take aspirin or other blood thinners until two days after the procedure. If there is still a moderate amount of blood in the urine at that point in time, it's best to continue holding blood thinners until the urine has cleared.
• You will get a phone call in two to five days with the results of the biopsy report. If there is prostate cancer present, the usual recommendation is to plan to come back sometime in the next one to two weeks for further consultation regarding treatment options. If there is no cancer present, then further surveillance beyond that will be per physician discretion.