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biopsies and scar tissue

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Posted 3/4/2010 4:39 AM (GMT 0)
Do multiple biopsies create scar tissue that makes surgery difficult? I have had three biopsies in the last year.
Posted 3/4/2010 4:49 AM (GMT 0)
My unprofessional opinion is, no, the biopsies wouldn't cause scar tissue enough (if any) to interfere with surgery.  However, your Urologist is the person to ask about this.  Are you contemplating surgery?
Posted 3/4/2010 5:05 AM (GMT 0)
I am not considering surgery yet, but weighing the risks of more biopsies.
Posted 3/4/2010 7:39 AM (GMT 0)
Hi

What are you stats, ie what is it that makes you want to have more biopsies?

I was told that what was important was that if you did choose to have surgery that it should not be too soon after a biopsy to give the prostate a chance to recover. (The biopsy makes the gland swell etc and especially at the point where the needle went through the wall of the rectum to get to the gland the swelling etc has to have gone away)

Also remember that PSA readings too soon after a biopsy can be higher due to the biopsy itself.

Alfred
Posted 3/4/2010 2:13 PM (GMT 0)
I will have to diagree with Mavica. There can be adhesions to the rectal wall from biospy which can complicate surgery. I know, it happened to me. It added an additional 2 1/2 hours to the surgery to prevent damaging the rectal wall or a resection of the rectum. Now the chances of that occurring is extremely low and the benefits of the biopsy results certainly outweight the risks involved. Doctors normally won't tell you this except the standard statement that with all procedures there are certain risks. I would ask your uro on this and let him be your guide. Certainly don't base your decisions on my experience, because it isn't the norm.
Posted 3/4/2010 3:09 PM (GMT 0)
My last two biopsies were 6 weeks apart, then I had an uneventful open surgery 8 weeks after that. Safest bet is to ask your doctor, good question though.
Posted 3/4/2010 3:21 PM (GMT 0)
The needles go into your Prostate, even if it did create scar tissue, if you choose to remove the prostate the scars would also be removed as the glad is removed intact ( if possible)

Check with your Dr, they would know better
Posted 3/4/2010 3:53 PM (GMT 0)
From Dr. Catalona's Urological Research Foundation, www.drcatalona.com

Under the FAQ category, "Biopsy, Digital Rectal Exam, & Gleason Score, the following question was asked.

Q. TOO MANY BIOPSIES? Are there any negatives to having numerous prostate biopsy procedures?

A. Too many biopsy procedures can cause scarring around the prostate gland that can make nerve-sparing surgery more difficult.

I remember reading this a few months ago, and it caused me to think twice about active surveillance with repetitive prostate biopsies.
Posted 3/4/2010 9:17 PM (GMT 0)
Why not get a color doppler ultrasound instead of the repeat biopsies. With CDU a biopsy is only taken if something suspicious is seen and a biopsy is only of that suspicious area, usually less than 6 samples.
JohnT
Posted 3/4/2010 9:50 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks, gentleman. That Catalona quote in particular gives me something to discuss with the uro.
Posted 3/4/2010 9:50 PM (GMT 0)
I know we have men on here who have had some scarring issues, but if you consider the biopsy needle like talking a blood sample from your arm, not many of us have had any obvious signs of scarring from lab tests.

We are talking a small needle with a very sharp point. It would not seem logicsl that it would produce a very large scar unless your body has some kind of scarring disorder.

But, I am not a doctor, so I would say he would be the ultimate decider on this.
Posted 3/5/2010 6:37 PM (GMT 0)
I asked my uro about this during our last visit. His response was that after a few biopsies there should be no real harm done, but made a point by saying that if I was even considering surgery, than why go through it.

I thought that was what AS was about.

I'm doing AS at this time, and will probably do one more biopsies around November 2010 or so just for the fun of it. sad

If you do get another biopsy, like the others have pointed out, it is best to wait at least a few months before considering surgery.

On another note, my latest PSA done Feb. 2010 increased to 7.9 from 6.7. Doc thinks maybe spike caused by biopsy, so he wants a re-do in a few months to see what that shows.

Either way, always go by what good physician recommends
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